Chukar Cherries & Columbia Valley Wine
Washington’s Columbia Valley AVA was established in 1984 just as Chukar Cherries was taking shape on our then family cherry orchard located nearby in north Prosser. The development of south-central Washington into a distinguished wine region coincided with the growth of Chukar Cherries into the iconic cherry & chocolate gifting company that you know today.
While our team was pioneering natural dehydration of no sugar added Northwest cherries and covering the fruity morsels in premium craft chocolate, the surrounding region was expanding wine grape production and achieving celebrated status world-wide for its fine wine and wine blends.
Today the Columbia Valley region contains over 50,000 acres of vineyards—the largest in Washington Wine Country. This makes the Columbia Valley just a touch bigger than Napa Valley (43,000 acres). Washington State is also the top producer of sweet cherries in the U.S.
Cools nights, warm sunny days (over 300 a year!), and sandy soil is a perfect combination for Washington fruits. We average only 6-8 inches of rain a year—yes, that means desert-like conditions, but snowmelt from the Cascade Mountains and the Columbia River supplies our water.
After years of focusing on naturally dried and chocolate covered cherries, Chukar opened a winery in 2020. We utilize Columbia Valley wine grapes and collaborate with local wine makers to select varietals and blends that pair well with Chukar Cherries (see suggested pairings below). Our recent awards have proven what we have known all along, there is no better pairing than Chukar Cherries and Columbia Valley wines.
We urge you to try our current vintages:
Chukar’s Beelieve Columbia Valley Chardonnay
Hints of toasted almond and caramel give way to aromas of vanilla, baked apple, and lemon zest. Refreshingly acidic, this Chardonnay pairs well with Northwest dried Rainier cherries which are naturally low in acid and honey sweet.
Awards: Silver Medal Los Angeles International Wine Competition
Chocolate Pairings: Raspberry Truffles, Amaretto Rainiers, Honey Pecans
Chukar’s Columbia Valley Red Blend
Enticing aromas of brambly fruits intertwine with subtle notes of vanilla, cocoa and a touch of espresso. The tannins are finely balanced, providing structure without overwhelming the wine’s gentle nature. Our red blend pairs well with Northwest dried Bing cherries which have a rich sweet cherry flavor with light acidity.
Awards: Gold Medal, 90 points, Los Angeles International Wine Competition
Chocolate Pairings: Cabernet Cherries, Black Forest Cherries, Truffle Cherries
Recipes: Mulled Wine with Dried Cherries (chukar.com) , Savory Cherry Wine Sauce (chukar.com)
