Tempranillo shown no genetic connection between the cultivars. Spanish cultivation of "Vitis vinifera", the common ancestor of almost all vines in existence today, began in earnest with Phoenician settlement in the southern provinces. Later, according to the Roman writer Columella, wines were grown all over Spain; yet there are only scattered references to the name "Tempranillo". Ribera del Duero wine making extends back over 2,000 years, as evidenced by the 66-metre mosaic of Bacchus, the Roman god of wine, that was unearthed in 1972, at Baños de Valdearados. It is possible that this grape was introduced to the Western Hemisphere by
Alexandria Nicole Cellars Vineyard is the estate vineyard of Alexandria Nicole located in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA near Alder Ridge Vineyards between Champoux and Canoe Ridge Vineyards. First planted in 1998, the 367 acre estate has grown to include more than 258 acres planted with over 17 different varieties including relatively rare varieties like Petit Verdot, Tempranillo, Counoise, Petite Sirah, Mourvedre, Lemberger, Roussanne and Marsanne that are not widely grown in Washington State. The vineyard was planted in collaboration with the Boyles, the Mercer family (original owners of Champoux Vineyard) and noted Washington Rhone Ranger Doug McCrea of McCrea Cellars. When McCrea