Cascadia Series
At Poplar Grove, every bottle tells a story—one of passion, precision, and a deep commitment to creating wines that reflect the unique terroir and artistry of our team. Our Cascadia Series is no exception.
This project was born out of necessity following the devastating freezing event of 2024, which significantly impacted our estate vineyards. To continue bringing exceptional wines to our customers, we sourced premium fruit from just across the border in Washington State. Despite the origin of the grapes, every other part of its journey—from fermentation to bottling, aging, and packaging—happened right here in Canada.
We embrace the Pacific Northwest’s winemaking potential and celebrate the ability to craft wines that showcase the best fruit available while staying true to our Canadian roots.
The Region
For the Cascadia Series, we carefully selected vineyards from some of Washington’s most renowned AVAs, each known for its unique terroir and exceptional grape quality. Sourcing from Wahluke Slope, Goose Gap, Yakima Valley, and Horse Heaven Hills, we chose these regions for their ideal growing conditions and distinctive flavor profiles. From the warm, sun-drenched slopes of Wahluke Slope to the cooler, late-ripening sites of Goose Gap, each AVA contributes its own character to our wines. This thoughtful selection allows us to craft vibrant, expressive wines that truly showcase the diversity of the Columbia Valley.
Wahluke Slope
Established in 2006, is located in Grant County, Washington, within the larger Columbia Valley AVA. Covering approximately 81,000 acres, it is one of the state’s warmest and driest regions, characterized by uniform, south-facing slopes and sandy soils that provide excellent drainage. The area’s climate and soil conditions allow for nearly complete control over vine growth and fruit ripening through irrigation.
Varietals:
- Pinot Gris
- Malbec
Goose Gap
Established in 2021, situated in Benton County, Washington, nestled between Red Mountain and Candy Mountain within the Yakima Valley and Columbia Valley AVAs. Encompassing around 8,129 acres, the region features unique east–west-oriented topography with north and northeast-facing slopes, resulting in vineyards that receive less solar radiation and thus experience later grape ripening compared to neighboring areas.
Varietals:
- Viognier
- Chardonnay
Yakima Valley
The Yakima Valley AVA, recognized in 1983 as Washington state’s first American Viticultural Area, lies within the expansive Columbia Valley AVA. Spanning over 708,000 acres, it boasts the state’s highest concentration of vineyards and wineries, with more than 53,000 acres under vine. The valley’s diverse microclimates and silt-loam soils over basalt bedrock support a wide array of grape varieties.
Varietals:
- Pinot Gris
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Muscat
Horse Heaven Hills
Established in 2005, located within the larger Columbia Valley AVA in Washington state. Covering approximately 570,000 acres, it is home to some of the state’s largest and oldest vineyards, with nearly 6,180 acres planted as of 2008. The region’s vineyards are primarily situated along the right bank of the Columbia River, benefiting from the river’s moderating effects and the area’s warm, dry climate. The consistent winds in the region help to toughen grape skins, increase phenolic content, and aid in disease control by keeping the vine’s canopy dry.
Varietals:
- Pinot Gris
- Sauvignon Blanc
When crafting the Cascadia Series label, it was essential to Tony Holler and the Holler family to uphold a commitment to full transparency. They wanted to ensure that every bottle clearly communicates where the grapes were harvested, reflecting an authentic connection to the land and the integrity of the wine itself.
The vision was to create a label distinct enough to signify the introduction of a new series while remaining true to the style and brand that Poplar Grove is known for. Striking that balance was crucial to maintaining our identity while also inviting curiosity about this new addition to our portfolio.
To achieve this, we collaborated closely with the CFIA and BC Winery associations, ensuring that every detail met industry standards and conveyed the proper messaging. Navigating these guidelines allowed us to communicate the story of the Cascadia region clearly and accurately, reinforcing our dedication to transparency.
This label was designed and developed entirely in-house—a testament to our team’s creativity and dedication. We take immense pride in the final release, feeling that it genuinely represents not only our brand but also the region and the people behind it.
The Cascadia Series label isn’t just about what’s in the bottle; it’s about where it comes from, who crafted it, and the journey from vine to glass. It stands as a proud symbol of our commitment to authenticity, quality, and the community we’re a part of.