Red Mountain AVA

Last updated

Red Mountain
Wine region
Red Mountain AVA map.JPG
Type American Viticultural Area
Year established2001) [1]
CountryUnited States
Part of Columbia Valley AVA, Washington, Yakima Valley AVA
Other regions in Columbia Valley AVA, Washington, Yakima Valley AVA Rattlesnake Hills AVA, Snipes Mountain AVA, Goose Gap AVA
Growing season180 days
Climate region Continental
Precipitation (annual average)5 inches (127 mm) [2]
Soil conditionsWarden & Scooteney silt loam, Hezel loamy fine sand and Kiona very stony silt loam [1]
Total area4,040 acres (6 sq mi) [1]
Size of planted vineyards2,225 acres (900 ha) [2]
Varietals produced Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Counoise, Gewurztraminer, Lemberger, Malbec, Merlot, Mourvedre, Nebbiolo, Petit Verdot, Pinot gris, Riesling, Roussanne, Sauvignon blanc, Semillon, Syrah, Viognier [3]
No. of wineriesmore than 15 [2]

Red Mountain is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) that encompasses the local region surrounding Red Mountain in Benton County, Washington. The viticultural area was formally recognized on June 11, 2001 by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury after reviewing the petition submitted by Lorne Jacobson of Hedges Cellars to establish an area known as "Red Mountain." It lies entirely within the Yakima Valley and vast Columbia Valley appellations and is the smallest AVA in the state at only 4,040 acres (6.31 sq mi) in area and lies between Benton City and the City of West Richland. [4] The area has more than 2,225 acres (900 ha) under cultivation of primarily red varietals including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sangiovese, Cabernet Franc and Syrah. [2] The reputation of the area's wines has brought Red Mountain worldwide attention and acclaim for producing some of the most desired Washington State vintage wines. [3] [5]

Contents

Terroir

Red Mountain is named for the cheatgrass' vibrant red-wine springtime bloom. Cheatgrass NV 1.jpg
Red Mountain is named for the cheatgrass' vibrant red-wine springtime bloom.

Topography

The Missoula floods, a series of massive floods that occurred at the end of the last Ice Age, profoundly affected the soils of Red Mountain. The fast traveling flood waters, estimated at 1,280 feet (390 m) tall, would sweep around the east and west edges of Red Mountain, creating powerfully back-eddies. As a result of the back-eddies, sediments were deposited in an irregular manner, creating a heterogeneous soil with a series of gravel lenses. [6] In the 10,000 years since the Missoula floods, wind-blown loess was deposited, creating a thin mantle of dunes that vary in thickness throughout the Red Mountain region. This has created a series of soils that differ from those of the immediately surrounding area. [1]

The topography to the northeast features part of the Columbia Basin lowlands where the Columbia River turns southward towards the Saddle Mountains. With elevations ranging from 500 to 1,500 feet (152–457 m), the landscape dominates this area of the lower Yakima Valley. Red Mountain derives its name from the red-wine springtime bloom of the drooping brome or "cheatgrass" on its slopes. The soil in the area is very gravelly, with high alkalinity (high pH) and calcium carbonate content. [1]

Climate

The area has one of the most unusual terroirs in the state with the southwest facing slopes documenting warmer temperatures and more sunlight hours than any other part of the Columbia Valley. The nighttime temperatures drop considerably, helping to preserve the acid levels within the grape. [4] At Benton City, the Yakima River flows past the area and provides a moderating effect on the temperature. Cool air from the northern elevations flowing to the lower river valley moves across the hillside vineyards and keeps the grapes from being overheated. This constant air movement prevents air settling and frost damage to the grapes [7] The area has a desert climate with average annual rainfall of 5 inches (130 mm). During the growing season, daytime temperatures average 90 °F (32 °C) with nighttime temperatures dropping below 50 °F (10 °C). [8] Vineyards rely on irrigation to supply water to the vines allowing viniters to optimize the growth cycle of their grapevines.

History

In the 1970s, John Williams of Kiona Vineyards and Jim Holmes, originally of Kiona then Ciel du Cheval vineyards, pioneered grape growing in the area. [9] In the 1980s, wines made from grapes in the Red Mountain area began receiving recognition for their distinct flavor profiles though federal laws permitted wine labels only to carry the designation as being from the Columbia Valley AVA or Yakima Valley AVA. In the late 1990s, Lorne Jacobson from Hedges Family Estates started a drive to achieve federal recognition of the area as its own AVA, which was granted in April, 2001. [4] Hedges Family Estates' appellation petition was joined by Kiona Vineyards, Blackwood Canyon Vintners, Sandhill Winery, Seth Ryan Winery and Terra Blanca Winery. [8] In 2007, Chateau Ste Michelle and Marchesi Antinori invested 6.5 million dollars in the appellation to purchase vineyards and establish a winery to produce their joint venture wine, Col Solare. [9]

Ciel du Cheval Rose wine Ciel du Cheval Red Mountain rose.jpg
Ciel du Cheval Rose wine

Wines

Obelisco Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Red mountain cab.jpg
Obelisco Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

The area is known for producing powerful, tannic red wines. The wines are known for their balance in flavors, with an intense concentration of berry flavors. [4] Compared to the Cabernet Sauvignon produced in other areas of the state, the Cabernets here are more structured than fruit-driven. [9] Grapes from this area are in high demand and vineyards with notable reputations can receive as much as 30% above market price for their crops. [7] The primary Cabernet Sauvignon clone planted is clone #8, which in Red Mountain produces a Cabernet wine similar in profile to a California wine, while the same clone planted in nearby Horse Heaven Hills AVA produces a wine similar in profile to Bordeaux. [10]

100 Point Wines

Many of Washington's cult wines are produced from Cabernet Sauvignon grapes grown in this AVA including the 2002, 2003 and 2005 Quilceda Creek Vintners Cabernet Sauvignon, which scored the rare 100 point wine rating from Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate . [4] At the time, only 15 other wines in the US had received this designation, all made from California grapes. [11] Only five other previous vintages have received consecutive perfect scores in The Wine Advocate's publishing history. [12] The Quilceda Creek wines were blends from three Red Mountain vineyards, Ciel du Cheval, Klipsun, and Tapteil, and one vineyard in adjoining Horse Heaven Hills viticultural area.

Tapteil Vineyard Red blend Tapteil Red Mountain red blend.jpg
Tapteil Vineyard Red blend

Future growth

In the early 21st century, the reputation of Red Mountain AVA has bolstered an era of growth for the appellation. Like most wine growing regions in Eastern Washington, Red Mountain is in the rain shadow of the Cascade Range making irrigation essential with water rights controlled by the state's Department of Ecology. In the past, this limited commercial growth and the opening of new wineries in the area though restrictions may be reduced in the future. In anticipation of future growth, a committee of local grape growers was formed to promote the development of the area's roads and infrastructure. [9]

Red Mountains right Rattlesnake Left.JPG

Vineyards

Wineries

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Force Majeure Vineyards</span>

Force Majeure is a Washington/Oregon wine estate, specializing in Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon as well as other Bordeaux and Rhone-inspired blends. The brand was founded in 2004, and beginning with that vintage began the "Collaboration Series" of wines made by some of Washington's top winemakers, using fruit from Red Mountain's Ciel du Cheval vineyard. Since 2014, the wines have been made by acclaimed winemaker Todd Alexander, who moved from the Napa Valley to the Pacific Northwest at that time. The brand labels also changed in 2014, to signify the winemaking change and the use of their estate vineyards for the wines, going forward. Todd Alexander continues to craft these limited production wines to this day.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Red Mountain Viticultural Area (99R– 367P)" (27 CFR Part 9 [T.D. ATF–448; Re: Notice No. 897] RIN: 1512–AAO7 Final Rule). Federal Register . 66 (69). Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury: 18543–18546. April 10, 2001. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 18, 2023.PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Red Mountain AVA". Washington Wine. Washington State Wine Commission Center. 2024.
  3. 1 2 "Red Mountain (AVA): Appellation Profile". Appellation America. 2007. Archived from the original on October 21, 2015. Retrieved January 30, 2008.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Parker, Tom (September 1, 2002). Discovering Washington Wines: An Introduction to One of the Most Exciting Premium Wine Regions. Seattle, Wash: Raconteurs Press. pp.  39-41, 82. ISBN   0-9719258-5-2.
  5. ↑ King, Anna (October 9, 2006). "Red Mountain rising: Tiny wine-producing region drawing worldwide attention". Wine Press Northwest. Archived from the original on October 9, 2007.
  6. ↑ Meinart, Lawrence P.; Busaca, Alan J. (2002). "Geology and Wine 6. Terroir of the Red Mountain Appellation, Central Washington, U.S.A." (December 2002). GeoScience Canada. 29 (4): 149–168.
  7. 1 2 Irvine, Ronald; Clore, Walter J. (August 1, 1997). The Wine Project: Washington State's Winemaking History. Sketch Publications. pp.  271-272. ISBN   0-9650834-9-7.
  8. 1 2 Gaffney, Jacob (April 24, 2000). "Washington Wineries Seek New Appellation". Wine Spectator. Archived from the original on September 6, 2004.
  9. 1 2 3 4 Schoenfeld, Bruce (May 15, 2007). "Gold Rush on Red Mountain". Wine Spectator. Archived from the original on February 7, 2012.
  10. ↑ "Great Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon: Washington". Wine Spectator. May 15, 2007.
  11. ↑ Allison, Melissa (May 5, 2006). "Cup of cheer overflows for Snohomish vintners". The Seattle Times.
  12. ↑ "Snohomish winery makes state history". The Seattle Times. May 3, 2006. Archived from the original on May 24, 2011.

46°15′56″N119°26′57″W / 46.26565404°N 119.44908253°W / 46.26565404; -119.44908253

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