Wineries press forward together

Rusty Grape Vineyard co-owner Heather Brown, left, pours a glass of wine in the tasting room at the Battle Ground vineyard. (Files/ The Columbian)

Confluence, a coming together, seemed an appropriate name for Greg and Jae Weber’s Ridgefield vineyard and winery. The couple bring in full-bodied, red, Bordeaux-style wines from vintners in Walla Walla and Yakima Valley, then add petit verdot made at their Ridgefield location.

The combination “gives it a beautiful, smooth finish and makes it our own,” said Jae Weber.

Confluence describes not only the Webers’ operation but also the collaboration of Clark County’s established and emerging vineyards, determined to work together to make the area a destination spot for wine tastings and tours.

With more than half a dozen vineyards and wineries a short drive from downtown Vancouver, people don’t need to travel to the Gorge, Yakima Valley or Oregon’s Willamette Valley to sample a range of quality products, Weber said.

This weekend, six area vineyards are teaming up for the Harvest Wine Tour. All will offer free tastings, although some will charge for more comprehensive samplings. Some will have free tours and hors d’oeuvres as well.

As one of Clark County’s newer wineries, this will be among Confluence Vineyards and Winery’s first events and follows the recent release of the Webers’ 2006 merlot, cabernet sauvignon, zinfandel and syrah wines.

Also new to the scene is East Fork Cellars. The tour will mark the first tasting event for owners Jeffrey and Stacey Waddell. They grow grapes and produce wine at the Battle Ground property where they live and are renting commercial space in Ridgefield for their winery. Their tasting room isn’t ready yet, so they’ll be using the adjacent Pacific Northwest Best Fish Co. this weekend. They hope to unveil their retail space in December.

Newcomers such as the Waddells and the Webers enhance the area’s burgeoning wine scene, said Jeremy Brown, co-owner with wife Heather of Rusty Grape Vineyard in Battle Ground.

With its cool marine air, Clark County is an ideal place for growing pinot noir grapes, Brown noted, adding that the climate is hospitable for Riesling and Gewürztraminer grapes as well.

“Clark County can do for Washington what the Willamette Valley did for Oregon given the right time and push,” he said. “We really want to get on board and work together to let people know that there is a wine industry here, and it’s growing.”

Map of participating wineries: