Address: 254 Wheat Ridge Lane, Walla Walla, WA 99362
Phone: 877-301-1181
Website: www.wallawallainns.com/ourwines.htm

The Ahler Vineyard is located towards the eastern edge of the Walla Walla appellation.  Located on top of a hill in the Blue Mountain foothills the property has a commanding view of the Walla Walla appellation.  Steve and Ann Ahler planted the vineyard in 1999 with the guidance of Paul Champoux, of Champoux Vineyards.   The vineyard consists of approximately 7 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon and 1.5 acres of Syrah. Also on site is the Walla Walla Inns at the Vineyard providing luxurious accommodations in a relaxed and stunning setting.

The property is perfectly situated with southern orientation and 5 to 10 percent slopes.  The location has a unique microclimate due to its elevation, slope, sun orientation and close proximity to the Blue Mountains.   A nightly inversion shortly after dusk results in a rapid temperature drop of between 25-40 degrees from the daytime highs.  This results in the maturing berries developing incredible flavor intensity, dark color, and excellent acid retention well into physiological maturity.  Combine this with incredibly deep silt loam soils and low yields to produce some incredible wines.  We believe we have one of the finest vineyards in the Walla Walla Valley, producing wines of incredible fruit concentration, color, and depth.

The vineyard first started producing fruit in 2002.  Three Rivers Winery has made a vineyard designate wine from the Syrah fruit.  The 2002 wine from these grapes resulted in high ratings and glowing reviews by wine critics.  The 2003 Three Rivers Ahler Vineyard Syrah has just been issued.  It has also received excellent reviews by wine critics.  Wine Spectator magazine just recently gave the 2003 Ahler Vineyard Syrah a rating of 90. 

The Cabernet Sauvignon grapes have been blended with other Three Rivers wines to create some award winning wines.  The last two years local wineries have purchased these grapes for their Cabernet Sauvignon.

Current owners, Rick and Debbie Johnson purchased the Ahler Vineyard and home site in 2006.  The Johnson’s intend to continue making great wines from the Ahler Vineyard grapes.  For the 2006 crop, the Johnson’s have negotiated a custom crush arrangement with a well-known winemaker in Walla Walla to produce wine from the Ahler Vineyard.