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What Sets Sets ets OVS Apart? art? art? st quality ufactured fa ve prices around ders! PHOTO BY MELISSA HANSEN the f ll line h full Products ro Buy from MacroPlastics' original gton for all s systems y dubbed the "father of Washington's wine industry," saw a future for wine grapes in the state and encouraged growers to try them. A few years later, in 1980, Boushey planted a commercial vineyard, choosing varieties from WSU's block that did well—Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. He recalls that there were only nine wineries in the state at the time. Other prominent tree fruit growers, including the Andreas (Andy) den Hoed family, Larry and WHAT'S in a name? "B www.goodfruit.com MacroBins® www.ovs.com w. download copy of our lis Supplies alog today! www.ovs.com 800-653-2216 800800-653-2 OVS M 2700 S McMin (503) 4 OVS MEDFORD Distribution Warehouse Warehouse 640A Mason Way Way Medford, OR 97501 (541) 613-7330 OVS U Distribu 500 6t Umatill (800) 6 ML910-01-111244-1 OVS AURORA 19658 HWY. 99 E. Y. HUBBARD, OR (971) 216-0111 ML910-01-108190-5 oushey Vineyard" has become a soughtafter name by many boutique wineries that want to feature it on their label. At last count, 19 of the 32 wineries that Dick Boushey of Grandview, Washington, sells his grapes to use the Boushey Vineyard on their wine label. "I always tell the winery that if it helps them sell more wine, then go ahead and use it," he said, adding that he's never asked to have a vineyard designation. "Having your name on the label can be a good thing—if it's good wine—but if it's not so good wine, it can be very awkward when the winemaker asks for vineyard designation." The Boushey name is trademarked, which was done to give him control over the use of his name. Boushey Vineyard has become especially known for producing premium Syrah grapes, but other varieties, too. "The Yakima Valley can ripen Syrah, Merlot, and many of the white varieties very well," he said. "We have as good a yield as any for Riesling, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc. Wine grapes grown in the Yakima Valley are stylistically different than those from nearby regions like Red Mountain or Horse Heaven Hills." He noted that red varieties from warmer locations like Red Mountain are known for their big, bold flavors and high tannin levels. In contrast, Yakima Valley reds are more balanced, and some say elegant. "It really just depends on the style that the winemaker is after. I've sold to winemakers that blend the same red variety from both Yakima Valley and Red Mountain together to create their wine style." Syrah is still the most popular variety with winemakers that Boushey grows, and it's the one that he wishes he had more of. "I could sell more Syrah if I had more planted. It blends so well, and even the bigger wineries want Syrah. For me, my customers want more Syrah." He recently purchased another piece of land and has plans to put in more Syrah and Merlot vines. —M. Hansen GOOD FRUIT GROWER July 2013 29