The Lemberger Grape:

“Nowhere else in America is this unique wine grape grown to such a state of perfection…”

 Lemberger is a premium red vinifera grape from the Old World.  From the 1850’s into the 1900’s it was introduced into regions of Austria, Germany, Hungary & Yugoslavia.

 It has been given several names:  Blue Burgunder, Blaufraenkische, Limberger, Lemberger, & Kekfrankos.

We at Oakwood Cellars believe Lemberger will become a unique premium red wine from the State of Washington.  This we said in 1986 when we made our first Lemberger.

In 1941 Lemberger was introduced in Washington State from British Columbia after two Hungarian brothers had brought it to Canada.

Dr. Walt Clore from the Prosser Research Center planted field trials of the variety “Lemberger” and it showed to be an important red grape produced in this part of Washington and could be classed along with other red grapes such as Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon.

 In 1976 or so it was released to grow in the specials vineyards of this area, like The Columbia & Yakima Valleys.

The beauty of the Lemberger grape to the vintner stems from two facets unique in such a fruity wine.  1. It is one of the most winter hardy red grapes varietals and 2. The grape guarantees a high quality crop.

Styles of Lemberger range from light and fruity to graduations of body, oakiness to rich boldly oak aged like Oakwood Cellars. Oakwood also makes a Lemberger Blanc (white Lemberger).