Columbia Gorge
Viento  
Viento wines are created by Rich Cushman, Hood River native and Oregon winemaker for twenty-five years.  The name Viento, Spanish for “wind”, was chosen to reflect the constant vibrancy of the wind in the Columbia River Gorge.  Rich’s winery is located in Hood River on the Oregon side of the gorge and he uses choice grapes from various Oregon and Eastern Washington vineyards to craft his wines. He works to preserve the unique character of each vineyard site to express the individual terroir from the area. He uses gentle methods to extract all of the fruit’s flavors in both his reds and whites, preferring whole-cluster pressing and a cautious use of oak. “Choosing barrels - whether new or older oak - is carefully considered so that the character of the vineyard is not subordinated to oak and to be true to a varietal’s history.” Rich is committed to creating soft, balanced wines that express the wonderful characteristics of the Columbia River Gorge.