WeatherEye Vineyards

WeatherEye Vineyards began in 2004 when Cameron Myhrvold, a longtime Washington wine advocate, purchased a 120-acre parcel at the top of Red Mountain. Myhrvold spent a decade studying the site before bringing in viticulturist Ryan Johnson in 2014 to assess the land's potential. Johnson, with over 20 years of experience farming on Red Mountain, recognized the site's extraordinary diversity of soils, elevations, and exposures. The first plantings began in 2016, and the property has since grown to 440 contiguous acres, making it one of the largest single holdings on Red Mountain. The project was described by Sean Sullivan of the Northwest Wine Report as one that will change the way Washington makes wine.

• Myhrvold acquired the initial parcel in 2004 and spent a decade studying the site before planting
• Ryan Johnson was brought on in 2014 to assess viticultural potential; first vines planted in 2016
• The property has expanded to 440 contiguous acres, with nearly 40 acres currently under vine
• Named 2022 Northwest Winery of the Year by the Northwest Wine Report

Perched on the windswept ridgeline of Red Mountain, WeatherEye occupies one of Washington's most dramatic vineyard sites. The vineyard climbs from 950 to 1,410 feet elevation across extreme slopes, with a soil mosaic that ranges from loose dune sand to fractured basalt bedrock. This geological complexity is the foundation of the vineyard's design: 70 meticulously planned micro-blocks, each tailored to its specific combination of soil, slope, aspect, and elevation. Varied vine densities and training methods are employed across the blocks to match each site's character. The high elevation and constant wind exposure create challenging growing conditions that naturally limit yields and extend hang times, producing grapes with concentrated flavors and bright acidity.

• Elevation ranges from 950 to 1,410 feet on Red Mountain's ridgeline
• Soils span from loose dune sand to fractured basalt bedrock across the property
• 70 micro-blocks designed to exploit the site's diversity of soils, slopes, and exposures
• Windswept, high-elevation conditions naturally limit yields and extend the growing season

WeatherEye is planted to a diverse array of Rhone, Bordeaux, and Spanish varieties selected to match the site's varied terroir. The red plantings include Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Tempranillo. The white program features Viognier, Roussanne, Marsanne, Clairette, and Grenache Blanc. Hand-selected clones were planted at high densities with intensive viticulture techniques designed to achieve longer hang times and wines with greater intensity and freshness. The variety selection reflects both the warm-climate strengths of Red Mountain and the unique high-elevation conditions of the WeatherEye site.

• Red varieties: Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo
• White varieties: Viognier, Roussanne, Marsanne, Clairette, Grenache Blanc
• Hand-selected clones planted at high densities for concentrated, site-expressive fruit
• Variety selection spans Rhone, Bordeaux, and Spanish families

The WeatherEye estate wines are crafted by winemaker Louis Skinner, who joined after nearly a decade at Betz Family Winery, where he rose to the role of head winemaker. He also gained earlier experience at DeLille Cellars. The estate program is offered on an allocation basis with three releases per year. The portfolio includes single-variety bottlings of Grenache, Mourvedre, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Tempranillo, as well as varietal whites including estate Clairette, Marsanne, and Roussanne. The flagship white blend, L'Atomique, combines all five white varieties grown on the property. The Hillfighter Series offers a red blend and a white blend sourced from the same estate blocks, available more broadly throughout the year.

• Louis Skinner leads winemaking, with experience from Betz Family Winery and DeLille Cellars
• Estate wines offered on allocation with three releases per year
• L'Atomique is the flagship white blend of Viognier, Roussanne, Grenache Blanc, Clairette, and Marsanne
• Hillfighter Series offers more accessible red and white blends from estate fruit

WeatherEye has garnered widespread critical acclaim since its debut vintages. Owen Bargreen awarded 97-point scores to the 2023 Marsanne and Roussanne. Paul Gregutt scored the L'Atomique white blend 96 points and described the vineyard as hidden in plain sight. Alder Yarrow of Vinography profiled the project in a feature titled Carved From the Mountain, and Robb Report highlighted the vineyard as a destination for Washington's best winemakers. Beyond its estate label, WeatherEye has become one of Washington's most sought-after vineyard sources. Liminal Wine was the first and largest client. Other notable producers sourcing WeatherEye fruit include Kobayashi, Sleight of Hand Cellars, Avennia, Devium Wines, Dillon Cellars, and Kevin White Winery.

• Owen Bargreen: 97 points for both 2023 Marsanne and 2023 Roussanne
• Paul Gregutt: 96 points for the L'Atomique white blend
• Named 2022 Northwest Winery of the Year by the Northwest Wine Report
• Fruit sourced by Liminal Wine, Kobayashi, Sleight of Hand, Avennia, and others

WeatherEye is built on the collaboration of three key figures. Owner Cameron Myhrvold, a lifelong Washington wine advocate, has stood at the heart of the region's evolution for decades. Vineyard manager Ryan Johnson brings over 20 years of experience farming on Red Mountain and was responsible for designing and planting the vineyard's 70 micro-blocks beginning in 2016. Winemaker Louis Skinner translates the vineyard's complexity into wine, drawing on his years at Betz Family Winery and DeLille Cellars. The team's shared commitment to site-driven winemaking and meticulous viticulture has established WeatherEye as one of Washington's most important new vineyard projects.

• Cameron Myhrvold: owner and Washington wine advocate who acquired the property in 2004
• Ryan Johnson: vineyard manager with 20+ years on Red Mountain, designed and planted the vineyard
• Louis Skinner: winemaker, formerly of Betz Family Winery and DeLille Cellars