High school sweethearts who raised two boys, Don and Pam Klase will open Clark County's 17th winery -- Dolio Winery and Vineyard -- over Thanksgiving weekend. (Viki Eierdam)
A little market research can be a motivating tool. According to Battle Ground resident Don Klase and his mathematical prowess, Clark County could potentially support approximately three dozen more wineries than are already operating.
“We think Clark County is underdeveloped on the wine level. (There are) 8,500 citizens per winery across the state and in Clark County it’s over 26,000, so that means there’s not enough wineries operating here to meet the state average. If we were to reach 8,500, we’d need another 36 wineries here, so there is room to grow,” Don said.
Why would this be important to Don? Because on Thanksgiving weekend he and his wife, Pam, will open their doors to the 17th winery in Clark County — Dolio Winery and Vineyard.
Four miles from Lewisville Park just west of state Highway 503, Dolio is reached by a meandering road that melts away the cares of city life with every bend. Although still a work in progress, visitors will be able to enjoy the warmth of their climate-controlled tasting room during the Southwest Washington Wine Country Thanksgiving Weekend tour while sipping through their lineup of 2013 Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Gr?ner Veltliner, Dolcetto, Barbera, and Sangiovese from the Columbia Valley.
A special 2014 Tramonto (sunset in Italian), made with estate Phoenix grapes and a touch of their pinot noir, will also be available. Phoenix is a German hybrid created by crossing the vinifera Bacchus with another hybrid, Villard Blanc. Don described it as relatively hearty from a disease perspective, with a muscat flavor and aroma.
Referring to the process of vinifying the 2014 Tramonto, Pam said, “It’s like raising kids. You start from the very beginning and see it all the way to the end product and it’s really exciting to be able to say, ‘This is from our property and it’s really good.’ ”
About an acre of their property is under vines planted in 2011 (predominantly pinot noir and pinot gris), but the majority of Dolio’s grapes grow in Eastern Washington. Total production sits at 1,000 cases, and that’s where the Klases see the sweet spot in their plan to keep Dolio a small, premium-quality winery with the two of them able to operate the entire business as a unified team.
High school sweethearts who raised two boys, they also share a lifelong love of learning. Both graduated from Pennsylvania State University, years later attended Linfield College as adults, and will complete the Viticulture and Enology Certificate Program through the Washington State University Extension in December.
The Klases’ backgrounds in electrical engineering and computer programming afforded them successful careers, but it’s the time growing up on a dairy farm and within a small farming community in Pennsylvania that’s shaped their truest passions and given them both their fondest memories. Moving to Battle Ground in 2003 was a homecoming of sorts.
“For me, working out in the vineyard is one of my favorite parts in this whole endeavor,” Pam said. “Walking through the vineyard at night, looking at the sunsets with the trees in the background, it’s very relaxing. It’s our little piece of heaven out here.”
Dolio Winery and Vineyard will be open from noon to 5 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend and noon to 5 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday thereafter.
Viki Eierdam is a Clark County native who lives in Battle Ground. She is certified by the Wine & Spirit Education Trust. Read the Corks & Forks blog at blogs.columbian.com/corks-and-forks
Morning Briefing Newsletter
Get a rundown of the latest local and regional news every Mon-Fri morning.
Support local journalism
Your tax-deductible donation to The Columbian’s Community Funded Journalism program will contribute to better local reporting on key issues, including homelessness, housing, transportation and the environment. Reporters will focus on narrative, investigative and data-driven storytelling.
Local journalism needs your help. It’s an essential part of a healthy community and a healthy democracy.
