Taking a different approach today as part of Washington Wine Month, we bring you one of the largest bulk wine producers in Washington. The Zirkle family started growing fruit in Washington in the 1880’s when owner and President Mark Zirkle’s great – great grandparents moved from Virginia to the Yakima Valley. The Zirkle Fruit label was started in 1948 with fruit grown and packed by Mark’s grandparents in Selah, Washington. Run by the Zirkle family, Four Feathers winery provides both bulk wine and custom winemaking for clients throughout the country. Four Feathers also have the ability to bottle and label wine you produce wine, as well as other custom services. The production center, constructed in 2012, includes many of the modern innovations such as a gravity flow crush pad and high capacity winemaking equipment. The Zirkle family owns and farms six vineyards: Beverly, Four Feathers, Soaring Eagle, Zillah Ranch, Paterson, and McNary. Most of the bulk wine production is sourced primarily from the McNary, Zillah Ranch, and Soaring Eagle vineyards. Bulk wine prices also seem remarkably reasonable, with a gallon of single vineyard Merlot selling for $14.00 or single vineyard Cabernet even less expensive:
David Forsyth serves as winemaker at Four Feathers. David has previously worked for many years at Hogue Cellars for 23 years and has a deep understanding for Eastern Washington terroir. HIs last release, the 2012 Four Feathers ‘Wautoma Springs Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon (WWB, 90) was a very solid effort with wonderful dark fruits and good poise. David made about 40 thousand cases of wine in 2017. I expect good things to come from this winery. Learn more at https://www.fourfeathers.com
2012 Four Feathers ‘Wautoma Springs Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The Wautoma Springs Vineyard was first planted in 1998 and has expanded it to 52 acres, located next to Chateau St. Michelle’s Cold Creek Vineyard in the Wahluke Slope AVA. This wine starts off with aromatics of dark chocolate with baking spices and roasted figs. Ripe and generous, the wine reveals black tea, sagebrush and milk chocolate covered black cherry flavors that connect with a lively minerality. This is an outstanding value that will be best enjoyed in the short-term. Drink 2018-2022- 90