The Majestic

Sundale
Vineyard

Sundale Vineyard, nestled in the Columbia Valley, WA, is a distinguished estate known for its award-winning wines and ideal growing conditions for Sangiovese. The vineyard’s terroir is defined by shallow soils, Columbia River frontage, and frequent winds, which allow vines to root directly into rich basalt rock. Formed by cooling lava, this basalt is abundant in magnesium and iron, adding unique minerality to the wines. With over 3,000 heat units per year, 300 days of sunshine, and a flat-to-rolling landscape, the vineyard’s modified Washington Sprawl training and careful spur pruning make it perfectly suited for producing premium wines.

Hand-harvested and crafted under the expertise of Peggy Hoag, with consultation from Andrew Schultz of Klipson Vineyards—one of Wine & Spirits Magazine’s Top 25 Vineyards in the World—Sundale’s wines reflect the essence of this unique terroir. The vineyard’s name, derived from the Yakima Sahaptin word aanpama, meaning “for sun,” reflects its sun-drenched landscape. Among its accolades are wins at the Friends of Maryhill Museum Blind Tasting (2005 vintage) and Marcus Whitman Blind Tasting (2015 vintage), attesting to its commitment to quality and heritage.

Explore

Unique vineyard
set in a place of unmatched beauty

The specs

Vineyard Data

Region

Columbia Valley AVA

Altitude

300'

Longitude

45°43'44.8"N

Latitude

120°17'37.3"W

Varietals

Sangiovese
Cabernet Sauvignon

Climate

Warm
300 Days of Sun

Sangiovese
grapes are known for their characteristic flavors of cherry, red plum, often with notes of herbs, tobacco, leather, and earthy undertones. The wines tend to have high acidity and moderate tannins, contributing to their structure and aging potential. Sangiovese ripens slowly, developing high acidity levels even as sugar content increases, allowing for balanced wines that maintain freshness, complexity and the ability to express terrior beautifully in wines. By the 18th and 19th centuries, Cabernet Sauvignon started its journey beyond France. It found its way to regions like Tuscany, in Italy, becoming a key player in the Super Tuscan wines.
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Cabernet Sauvignon
In the illustrious world of wine, few grapes can claim as revered a reputation as the Cabernet Sauvignon. The importance of the Cabernet Sauvignon grape within the wine industry is unparalleled. It forms the backbone of some of the world's most prestigious and sought-after red wines, notably those from Bordeaux's Left Bank and the Napa Valley in California. Its robust character, full-bodied flavors, and capacity to age gracefully have made it a favorite for both vineyard plantings and wine cellars. A wine that can be both approachable in its youth yet complex and multifaceted with age.
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Varietals Planted
Sundale Vineyard thrives along the banks of the Columbia River, AVA Columbia Valley, Washington. Varietals planted are; Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Chardonnay.
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Merlot
Merlot is celebrated for its smooth, velvety texture, ripe fruit flavors, and balanced structure. It thrives both as a solo act and as a blending partner. Whether enjoyed young or allowed to age, it typically offers a harmonious blend of fruit, earth, spice, and oak-derived nuances. Merlot is the second most widely planted grape variety in the world, covering over 600,000 acres. It dominates Bordeaux plantings and plays a key role in Italy’s Super Tuscans.
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Petit Verdot
Petit Verdot is known for its intense aromas and flavors, including black fruit (such as blackberry and plum), violet, leather, and earthy spices. It often has notes of herbs, graphite, and pepper, giving it a complex, layered profile and bold flavors. Originally from France, it is traditionally used as a blending grape, where it contributes structure, color, and complex aromas to Bordeaux blends. While it is still primarily known for its supporting role in blends, Petit Verdot is increasingly being made as a single-varietal wine, especially in warmer climates.
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Chardonnay
Chardonnay, often called the 'queen of the white grapes'. A seductive nose of ripe orchard fruits, honey, toasted almonds, and delicate floral nuances greets the connoisseur, leading to a palate characterized by profound depth, vibrant acidity. In its purest expression, unadorned by oak, Chardonnay wines showcase a crisp, clean character with green apple, pear, and citrus notes, often underscored by a vibrant acidity. Malolactic fermentation is a process often used in making Chardonnay, resulting in a creamier texture and buttery flavor. This secondary fermentation enhances the wine's overall mouthfeel and complexity. When Chardonnay encounters oak, the wood introduces an array of complex flavors, including vanilla, butter, caramel, and toast. This oaked Chardonnay style, suits palates that prefer depth, texture, and a harmonious dance between fruit and oak.

The
Land

Sundale Vineyard currently encompasses 5 acres of grapevines, with the initial planting of Sangiovese in 2002 leading to the production of Aanpama vintages from 2005 to 2008, later expanded in 2006. In 2012, a northeast block of Sangiovese was added, alongside the southeast block, collectively housing 1 acre of Sangiovese vines.

The estate’s expansion continued with the planting of a 4-acre west block of Cabernet Sauvignon in 2018, marking the inception of Aanpama wines, including the debut of a 100% estate-grown Sangiovese/Cabernet blend in 2021, with further innovations in 2023 led by Klipsan’s vineyard manager, Andrew Schults, to produce premium Cabernet Sauvignon.

Soil

With more than 25 soil types, from clay loam to limestone, to sands and gravel, the region offers tremendous diversity and contrast for different wine styles.
Altitude
0 '

45°43'44.8"N Longitude

120°17'37.3"W Latitude

Region The Burn of Columbia Valley AVA

The Aanpama
Wine Club

1. One Case of Wine Annually: Enjoy an exclusive selection of our finest wines delivered to you each year.


2. Priority Invitations to Wine and Music Events: Be the first to reserve your spot at our private wine and live music experiences.


3. Priority Invitation to Winemaker Dinners: Secure your seat at intimate dinners with our winemaker, featuring curated pairings and special releases.

Contact Us

E-mail

Aanpama@peggyhoag.com