Red Mountain AVA

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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 {{convert|390|m|ft|0|order=flip}} 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.{{cite journal|author1= Meinart, Lawrence P.|author2=Busaca, Alan J.|title=Geology and Wine 6. Terroir of the Red Mountain Appellation, Central Washington, U.S.A.|journal=GeoScience Canada|volume=29| issue=4 |date=2002 |pages=149–168|format=December 2002|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/285993030}} 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.

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 {{convert|500|to(-)|1500|ft|m|0}}, 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.

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.{{cite book |author1=Parker, Tom |title=Discovering Washington Wines: An Introduction to One of the Most Exciting Premium Wine Regions |url= https://archive.org/details/discoveringwashi0000park/mode/2up |pages=[https://archive.org/details/discoveringwashi0000park/page/39/mode/2up 39-41], [https://archive.org/details/discoveringwashi0000park/page/82/mode/2up 82] | publisher=Raconteurs Press |location=Seattle, Wash|date=2002-09-01 |isbn=0-9719258-5-2}} 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{{cite book |author1=Irvine, Ronald |author2=Clore, Walter J.|title=The Wine Project: Washington State's Winemaking History |pages=[https://archive.org/details/wineprojectwashi0000irvi/page/270/mode/2up 271-272]|publisher=Sketch Publications|date=August 1, 1997 |isbn=0-9650834-9-7|url=https://archive.org/details/wineprojectwashi0000irvi/mode/2up}}

The area has a desert climate with average annual rainfall of {{convert|5|in|mm}}. During the growing season, daytime temperatures average {{convert|90|°F|°C|0}} with nighttime temperatures dropping below {{convert|50|°F|°C|0}}.{{cite web|author1=Gaffney, Jacob |url=http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Daily/News/0,1145,1022,00.html |title=Washington Wineries Seek New Appellation | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040906204334/http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Daily/News/0,1145,1022,00.html |archive-date=2004-09-06|website=Wine Spectator |date=April 24, 2000}} Vineyards rely on irrigation to supply water to the vines allowing viniters to optimize the growth cycle of their grapevines.

In the 1970s, John Williams of [https://kionawine.com/the-story-and-people Kiona Vineyards] and Jim Holmes, originally of Kiona then Ciel du Cheval vineyards, pioneered grape growing in the area.{{cite news |author1=Schoenfeld, Bruce |url=http://www.winespectator.com/magazine/show/id/11944|title=Gold Rush on Red Mountain |work=Wine Spectator|date=May 15, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120207214105/http://www.winespectator.com/magazine/show/id/11944|archive-date=2012-02-07}} 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. Hedges Family Estates' appellation petition was joined by Kiona Vineyards, Blackwood Canyon Vintners, Sandhill Winery, Seth Ryan Winery and Terra Blanca Winery.

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. In 2013, Aquilini Vineyards purchased 670 acres on Red Mountain.

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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. Compared to the Cabernet Sauvignon produced in other areas of the state, the Cabernets here are more structured than fruit-driven. 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. 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.{{cite news|work=Wine Spectator |url=https://www.winespectator.com/articles/great-grapes-cabernet-sauvignon-washington-11949|title=Great Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon: Washington |date=May 15, 2007}}

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. At the time, only 15 other wines in the US had received this designation, all made from California grapes.{{cite news | url = https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=20060505&slug=wine05 | work=The Seattle Times | first=Melissa | last=Allison | title=Cup of cheer overflows for Snohomish vintners | date=May 5, 2006}} Only five other previous vintages have received consecutive perfect scores in The Wine Advocate's publishing history.{{cite news | url = http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2002955799_bizbriefs27.html | work=The Seattle Times | title=Snohomish winery makes state history | date=May 3, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110524053246/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2002955799_bizbriefs27.html|archive-date=2011-05-24}} 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.

File:Tapteil Red Mountain red blend.jpg

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.

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• Aquilini Vineyards
• Ciel du Cheval
• Cooper Estate Vineyard
• Klipsun
• Kiona Vineyards
• Obelisco Estate
• Ranch at the End of the Road
• Heart of the Hill
• Avennia Estate Vineyard
• Force Majeure Vineyards (Formerly "Grand Rêve")
• Tinte Estate Vineyard
• Terra Blanca Estate Vineyard
• Scooteney Flats Vineyard
• Red Heaven Vineyard
• Artz Vineyard
• Red Mountain Railroad Vineyard
• Grand Ciel Vineyard, DeLille Cellars

• Avennia
• Col Solare Winery
• Cooper Wine Company
• Elk Haven Winery
• Fidelitas
• Frichette Winery
• Hamilton Cellars
• Hedges Family Estate
• Hightower Cellars
• Kiona Vineyards and Winery
• Monte Scarlatto Estate Winery
• Red Mountain Trails Winery
• Terra Blanca

{{Reflist|33em}}

• [http://www.winesnw.com/yak.html List of Wineries in Red Mountain]
• [http://www.redmountainava.com/ Red Mountain AVA Alliance]
• [https://www.ttb.gov/images/AVA/ TTB AVA Map]

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Category:American Viticultural Areas of Washington (state)

Category:Geography of Benton County, Washington

Category:2001 establishments in Washington (state)