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through the years. "The Grenache did very well, but it was not a good seller and nobody really wanted it," he said. "Eventually, I pulled it out and replanted it with Syrah, and that's done very well. Now, Grenache is popular, but it wasn't back then." Learning curve PHOTO BY MELISSA HANSEN Graves had much to learn in his early grape-growing years. As a grape pioneer, he had few grape-growing neighbors to watch and learn from. Most were growing cherries and vegetables, not grapes. "The big challenges were learning how to prune, when to water, and fertilize. Dr. Clore came by quite often to guide me," he said. "I worked full-time for Bonneville Power, so I knew Oregon's Mt. Hood is clearly visible from Don Grave's vineyard near Dallesport, about equipment and had some background in agriculWashington. ture from my younger years," he said. But he admitted he had much to learn about wine grape growing. (Continued from page 25) In the 1960s, there were not only few in the state growIn the early 1960s, Graves decided to expand the test plot and turn his ing grapes, but there were few wineries that were buying the grapes. pasture into Graves's Vineyard. He planted 16 acres of grapes. In the beginning years, he sold grapes to wineries as well as home Graves said he was nervous about how the grapes would survive the winemakers. Commercial wineries that he sold to included Oregon's winters. "In 1949 when I got out of the service, it got down to minus 25 Edgefield Winery of Troutlake, Elk Cove Vineyards of Gaston, Cathedral degrees, so cold that the Columbia River froze over," he said, adding that Ridge in Hood River, and Mountain View Winery in Bend. Later, Graves he walked across the river to The Dalles, Oregon. added Washington wineries to his client list, including L'Ecole No. 41 and "That winter was always in the back of my mind, but it's never been Waterbrook Winery of Walla Walla and E.B. Foote Winery of Seattle. that cold since," he said. "I've never lost a crop to winter temperatures "Now, there are lots of local wineries and vineyards in the area," and only had one year where I had a short crop because of a cold spring." Graves said. The close proximity to the Columbia River has a great moderating effect The Columbia Gorge wine appellation, which includes both Washon temperatures. ington and Oregon, was established in 2004, and currently has nearly 30 The varieties he planted—Cabernet Sauvignon, Chenin Blanc, Gre- wineries. (Continued on page 35) nache, and Riesling—were suited to the region and have grown well www.goodfruit.com GOOD FRUIT GROWER FEBRUARY 1, 2014 27