2013 Buty Conner Lee Vineyard Cabernet Franc/Merlot

Located in Yakima Valley, WA, owner and winemaker Nina Buty believes that making Buty wine is part of a larger process, with many interconnections and contributions. She also believes that great vineyards and great wines have soul. In keeping with these beliefs, Buty is guided by a philosophy that reflects the idea of growth from body to mind to soul to spirit - with each level building on the last to create a more complex and cohesive whole. From the selection of vineyards, the methods used to farm them and the timing of harvest, to Buty's dedication to natural winemaking practices, each level plays an important role in creating Buty wine. To maintain this authenticity, whenever possible Nina emphasizes blends where all the varietals come from the same vineyard. Buy Buty and Beast (Buty's second label) wine on WineBid today.

Columbia Valley AVA is larger than some states. At 18,000 square miles, or 11 million acres, the appellation covers almost half of Washington State and a small part of Oregon on the south side of the Columbia River. Established in 1984, Columbia Valley contains numerous sub appellations within its boundaries, including Yakima Valley AVA and Walla Walla AVA, both large and important wine districts. Columbia Valley AVA, generally called the Columbia Basin by Pacific Northwesterners, is in the Columbia River Plateau, and the AVA also includes a section of northeastern Oregon. There are dozens of microclimates within this appellation of about 7,000 vineyard acres. Many kinds of grapes are grown in the Columbia Valley, though the principal grapes planted are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Riesling, Syrah, Pinot Gris and Sauvignon Blanc. Eastern Washington experiences very hot summers and cold winters, and the northern latitude means that Washington vineyards receive several more hours of sun in the summer than California vineyards. Grapes in Washington therefore have time to develop significant tannins and overall ripeness.