Wine Name Origins

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URIAH (Corkrum) - This Merlot blend gets its name from the grandfather of Shari Corkrum Derby. Born in Walla Walla on June 1, 1866, he was the first child born to his parents after their trip West by wagon train. Uriah began successfully farming on his own during the 1880’s. A rainy summer prevented him from getting his wheat from the field to the warehouse and he lost everything during the Depression of 1893. Later that same year, his wife died in childbirth along with their fourth child, leaving him with two young children. Uriah continued to persevere and in 1910 acquired the land known as Spring Valley.
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FREDERICK (Corkrum) - This Cabernet Sauvignon blend is named for Frederick Corkrum, son of Uriah and father of Shari. Fred grew up in Spring Valley, attending country and Sharpstein grade schools and Walla Walla High School before graduating from Whitman College. Farming with his father and brothers, he took time out during college days at Whitman to play football under coach “Nig” Borleske. Our “Frederick” label is his picture from those days. Fred returned to the Ranch full time after graduating from Whitman. Fred had begun driving the mules in the farming operation at age 12 and was always considered the head Mule Skinner.
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NINA LEE - This 100% Syrah is named for the wife of Frederick Corkrum. Fred knew Nina Lee was for him when he first saw her, in 1926, working in the cashier’s cage at the Liberty Theatre in Walla Walla. Nina Lee gave up her promising dance career when they married three years later, just before the Great Depression hit America in 1929. They began their struggle to keep the ranch afloat, which they did with great success. Following Frederick's death in 1957, Nina Lee, not wanting to depend on anyone for her livelihood, continued to operate the ranch on her own. Nina Lee passed away after 21 years of successful farming.
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DERBY - A 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine represents the marriage of Shari Corkrum and Dean Derby in 1954 and brings the Derby heritage to the list of Spring Valley wines.
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MULE SKINNER - This 100% Merlot is named for Fred Corkrum’s job as head Mule Skinner on the Ranch. The label is an actual photo of the mules pulling the combine during the wheat harvest circa 1925. The name Mule Skinner indicates the person who cared for and drove the mules in all aspects of the farming operation before the advent of the Caterpillar tractor. Then, of course, he was called the “CAT skinner.”
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KATHERINE - This debut vintage of Katherine Corkrum Cabernet Franc is rich and earthy, with powerful fruit aromas and flavors and plenty of texture. Toasted almond and dry herbs on the nose lead into more ripe fruit and some herbal character in the mouth. Tannins are silky and there are notes of caramel on the finish. This is a wine that really expresses its Spring Valley terroir.
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The Corkrum Derby family is a dedicated steward of the land that has been so gratefully handed down through the generations. This rich land, full of life, has been tended carefully by generations of professional ranchers and farmers. This practice is now popularly called “sustainable farming.” Our ability to grow ultra-premium grapes at Spring Valley is a result of these generations of care.