Badger Mountain Organic Winery

Striving to Leave Mother Nature Undisturbed

Sustainably made wines are continuing to increase in popularity and many wineries are embracing sustainable practices to limit their impact on the environment. An increasing number of Washington wineries today adhere to biodynamic, organic, and/or sustainable farming principles, as they see the contributing factors that the healthy vineyards have on producing high-quality fruit and enjoyable wines.

In 2002 the USDA released a specific guideline of what makes something organic, but exactly what is an organic wine? Wines labeled Organic are produced using organically grown grapes. No pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, chemical fertilizers, or synthetic chemicals of any kind are allowed on the vines or in the soil. Strict rules govern the winemaking process and storage conditions for wines that acquire certification. In addition organic winemakers often avoid many of the chemical substances used to stabilize conventional wines. In accordance with the USDA, “Wines that are sold as “made with organic grapes” have different requirements than organic wine. When a wine is labeled as being made with organic grapes, 100% of those grapes used must be certified organic.”

“Many organic practices simply make sense, regardless of what overall agricultural system is used. Far from being a quaint throwback to an earlier time, organic agriculture is proving to be a serious contender in modern farming and a more environmentally sustainable system over the long term.” -David Suzuki

Badger Mountain Certified Organic Vineyard-Badger Mountain Organic Wines

Photo Credit: Badger Mountain Organic Winery

Located on a 80-acre estate in Kennewick, WA, Badger Mountain Vineyard produces Certified Organic Wines under the Badger Mountain Certified Organic Vineyard label that are made from 100% Certified Organic Grapes with No Added Sulfites. These wines are also Vegan-Friendly, Gluten-Free and non-GMO.

Innovator, Graper Grower, Winery Owner

Long before terms like Organic, Biodynamic and Sustainable were considered trendy, the founder of Badger Mountain Vineyard, the late Bill Powers, began growing organic grapes over 20 years ago in the Columbia Valley. Having first grown apples when using pesticide was common practice, Powers was concerned about the effects the chemicals were having on the farm. After many years working with these conventional chemicals, Powers set out to find a better way to work the land. Powers slowly introduced organic practices into the Badger Mountain Vineyard which was planted in 1982. At the time there were a few organic vineyards in California, but no one was farming grapes organically in Washington.

In 1989 Bill and his son Greg built the family winery and in 1990, Badger Mountain Vineyard became the first Certified Organic wine grape vineyard in the state of Washington and their first Badger Mountain Vineyard vintage was also produced that year.

Photo Credit: Badger Mountain

Powers’ accomplishments and visions are praised by his peers and during his life he was also honored by others in the Washington wine community. Powers was one of the original members of the Washington Association of Wine Grape Growers and he received the WAWGG Lifetime Achievement Award for his industry work in 2007. In 2010, he was inducted into the Legends of Wine Hall of Fame at the Walter Clore Wine and Culinary Center, where he was cited as an “organic pioneer.” Bill Powers passed away in September 2014 at the age of 88, his legacy however continues to live on with his extended Winery “family”.

*The company also makes non-organic wines from fruit grown elsewhere under the Powers Winery label.

Photo Credit: Badger Mountain

Badger Mountain Organic Wines benefit from the vineyard’s ideal location as well as climate, deep volcanic soil, and organic production from vine to bottle. The wines of Badger Mountain Vineyard represent the winery’s ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability and to the creation of high quality wines that showcase the purest expression of this region’s exceptional fruit.

Meet Mickey Dunne….

Badger Mountain Tasting Room

Photo Credit: Badger Mountain

Surrounded by their certified organic vineyard, Badger Mountain’s (and Powers Winery) tasting room offers wine sampling in a beautiful and relaxed country setting. The tasting room and picnic area in Kennewick, WA are open daily 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Badger Mountain has lots of great events happening throughout the Summer. On Wednesdays they host ‘Wine Down Weds” from 5-8 pm and a featured rotating food truck is there every Wednesday as well. In collaboration with local food truck/catering company, The Ciao Wagon, Badger Mountain also offers Brunch and Pop-up Dinners. When planning a visit to the Badger Mountain tasting room, take a look at the numerous events that are scheduled throughout the year on their News and Events page.

Badger Mountain Organic Wines

This year’s new 2020 vintages marks Badger Mountain Organic Vineyard’s 30th anniversary of certified organic viticulture.

Badger Mountain Organic Wines are unequivocally a treasure trove of viscerally exciting gems, full of finesse and longevity. Celebrating 30 years of crafting certified organic wines there has never been a better time to initiate your immersion into Badger Mountain Organic Wines.

2019 Organic Chardonnay-Columbia Valley

Badger Mountain Organic Merlot-Columbia Valley

2019 Organic Riesling-Columbia Valley

As with their other wines the 2019 Organic Riesling from Badger Mountain Organic Vineyard is made with 100% USDA Organic grapes is Gluten-free, vegan-friendly and has no added sulfites. Sourced 100% from the Rivercrest Vineyard, Columbia Valley this Riesling achieves intense and pure fruit flavors while retaining a wonderful level of balanced acidity.

Complex layers of pear and stone fruit along with a slight touch of forest pine on the nose, are followed with a refreshing blast of zesty fruit flavors on the palate that works itself into a delicious savory finish.

Pure Pink

Tomorrow’s Drink In Life Books post announcing the July book titles will also include recipes and pairing that highlight and feature Badger Mountain Organic Wines.

Badger Mountain Vineyard and Powers Winery
1106 North Jurupa St.
Kennewick, WA 99338
1-800-643-WINE
Website: http://www.badgermtnvineyard.com/

Images and content © Drink In Nature Photography and Drink In Life Blog.