Description
Rocky Pond Estate Winery grew from David and Michelle Dufenhorst’s commitment to the Columbia River landscape in Orondo, Washington. What began as a 30-acre orchard developed into an estate of roughly 300 acres, where the family formally established the winery in 2013. Rocky Pond has since helped define the identity of the Rocky Reach AVA—approved in 2022 as Washington’s 20th AVA—a narrow, river-straddling appellation of ancient, rocky terraces north of Wenatchee; Rocky Pond remains its only operating winery.
The estate farms three vineyards and sources all of its fruit from these sites, each certified LIVE and Salmon-Safe. Its vineyards combine warm Columbia River influence with exceptionally stony, well-drained soils, encouraging deep rooting and concentrated fruit; compost is used to build soil health and reduce reliance on chemical fertilizer. For the 2023 Stratastone, Syrah from Double D and Clos CheValle was co-fermented with Viognier in concrete, while 30% whole-cluster Grenache was co-fermented with Marsanne; the finished wine spent 18 months in French oak puncheons, 25% new, and was bottled unfined and unfiltered.
The 2023 Stratastone is a Rhône-inspired blend of 68% Syrah, 26% Grenache, 3% Viognier, and 3% Marsanne. It is deeply aromatic and expressive, layering blackberry, blood orange, black cherry, olive tapenade, pink peppercorn, gravelly minerality, and savory garrigue. Full-bodied yet lifted by vibrant acidity, its long, velvety texture is framed by powdery tannins and a mineral-driven finish, with a subtle grip that makes it especially compelling at the table.
770 cases produced.
