The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater AVA facts for kids
| Wine region | |
Rough location of The Rocks District (red) within Walla Walla AVA (black)
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| Official name | The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater Viticultural Area |
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| Type | American Viticultural Area |
| Year established | 2015 |
| Country | United States |
| Part of | Columbia Valley AVA and Walla Walla AVA, Oregon |
| Climate region | Arid |
| Soil conditions | cobbles |
| Total area | 3,770 acres (1,526 ha) |
| Size of planted vineyards | 250 acres (101 ha) |
| No. of vineyards | 19 |
| Grapes produced | cabernet franc, grenache, malbec, Syrah, tempranillo, viognier |
| No. of wineries | 3 or 4 |
The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater AVA (also known as The Rocks District) is a special farming area in Oregon, United States. It's a type of American Viticultural Area, which means it's officially recognized for growing grapes. This district is part of a larger area called the Walla Walla Valley AVA, which is itself part of the even bigger Columbia Valley AVA.
This unique place gets its name from the city of Milton-Freewater, Oregon. It's also named for its very rocky soil. The ground here is covered with round, "baseball-sized" basalt rocks. These rocks are special because they define the boundaries of this area. It's the only American Viticultural Area whose borders are set by its soil type. People say that the special rocks, water flow, and temperatures in this area give the wines a unique taste.
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What Makes The Rocks District Special?
The soil in The Rocks District is very unusual. It's made of many round, smooth rocks called cobbles. These rocks come from an ancient river that flowed through the area. This type of soil is called an alluvial fan.
How Do the Rocks Affect the Grapes?
The rocks play a big role in how the grapes grow.
- Temperature Control: The dark rocks absorb heat from the sun during the day. They then release this heat slowly during the night. This helps keep the grapevines warm.
- Water Drainage: The rocky soil allows water to drain away quickly. This means the grapevines have to work harder to find water. This "stress" can help the grapes develop stronger flavors.
- Mineral Influence: Some people believe that the minerals in the volcanic rocks add special flavors to the grapes. This contributes to the unique taste of wines from this area.
History of The Rocks District
The idea for The Rocks District to become a special grape-growing area came from Kevin Pogue. He is a geologist from Washington State and an expert on terroir. Terroir refers to how a place's natural environment, like its soil and climate, affects the taste of the wine.
When Was It Established?
Kevin Pogue sent his proposal to the U.S. government. The plan was announced for public comments in February 2014. After that, The Rocks District was officially recognized as an American Viticultural Area in February 2015. This made it a new and important region for growing grapes in Oregon.
