2010 Rasa Vineyards Creative Impulse

Rasa Vineyards of Walla Walla was founded in 2007 by brothers Makrand and Yashodhan Naravane. The brothers both worked in Internet Technology and Makrand founded and ran a computer networking company before starting their wine venture. Rasa owns property that will become estate vineyards and sources grapes from Eastern Washington. The estate focuses on blends, including Syrah-based blends and Cabernet Sauvignon blends. Rasa also produces Riesling, Chardonnay and Mourvedre.

Yakima Valley AVA was the first AVA created in Washington State. The valley, a 600,000-acre area in south central Washington, was granted AVA status in 1983. In 1984 Columbia Valley was given AVA status, and Yakima Valley was enclosed within the Columbia Valley AVA. Nevertheless, Yakima Valley remains home to the largest concentration of vineyards and wineries in the state. There are more than 60 wineries and some 16,000 vineyard acres, and nearly 40% of Washington wines are made with Yakima Valley grapes. The most frequently planted grape is Chardonnay, followed by Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Winemaking here dates to 1869, when a winemaker from Alsace planted grape vines. Vineyard planting and wine production plodded along slowly until the early 1980s when numerous modern pioneers started making well-reviewed Yakima Valley wines. Some of the state’s newest, most closely watched appellations, including Red Mountain AVA and Horse Heaven Hills AVA, are contained within Yakima Valley.