RED
MOUNTAIN - WASHINGTON'S SMALLEST AVA
 If
you have ever tasted wine from grapes grown
in Washington’s Red Mountain, then
you instantly know that there is something
special about this place. At 4,040 acres,
Red Mountain American Viticultural Area
(or AVA) is the smallest appellation in
not only Washington State, but also in the
entire Northwest. Size isn’t everything
however, because the grapes from this small
piece of desert terrain have been used in
more award-winning wines than grapes from
any other region in Washington.
Authorized on April 3, 2001, Red Mountain
offers an almost magical combination of
soil and climate, making the fruit unique
from grapes grown elsewhere throughout the
state. In fact, the Red Mountain region
has become well recognized as one of the
best growing regions in the Northwest. Located
within the eastern most tip of Yakima Valley,
just 15 miles from the Tri-Cities and between
Benton City and Richland, Red Mountain is
home to just over 12 wineries and more than
710 acres of planted land. Known primarily
for it’s cabernet sauvignon and merlot
grapes, cabernet frank, syrah and sangiovese
are also widely planted, along with a few
other varietals.
The actual name Red Mountain can be misleading,
however. First, it doesn’t refer to
the color of the area's soil, but rather
to a native grass that grows in the area
containing a red hue. Second, Red Mountain
does not actually contain a mountain at
all because its elevation ranges from only
500 to 1,500 feet. Even so, among the rolling
hills of eastern Washington's desert, Red
Mountain's sloping hillsides are a prominent
landmark, and a highly respected location
for growing premium quality grapes. It’s
said that wines made from Red Mountain fruit
express the terroir (or land) with great
strength and richness.
The slopes of Red Mountain help to store
radiant heat for the growing vines of the
valley floor, while cooler air from the
nearby Yakima River helps moderate climate
extremes. Probably one of the most notable
characteristics about Red Mountain however,
is that in the peak of the growing season
it gets two to three more hours of sunlight
than Napa Valley. So take that Napa!…sorry,
a little Washington pride tends to seep
out from time to time. Coincidentally, Red
Mountain also sits on the same latitude
as France’s esteemed Bordeaux region.
These growing conditions help to create
a nearly ideal microclimate for the development
of intense fruit with high amounts of natural
tannins and acids, thus producing big, yet
balanced wines.
Because its original vines were first planted
in 1975, making the oldest vines approximately
30 years old, Red Mountain grapes are some
of the most sought after in the state. Red
Mountain vineyard owners garner top dollar
for their premium grapes, often times even
rivaling high-end Napa Valley grape prices.
Wineries outside the Red Mountain region
pay the price for the grapes happily however,
because labels designating such vineyards
from Red Mountain create high consumer demand
and satisfaction. In fact, Red Mountain
produces the most expensive grapes out of
Washington’s eight AVA’s. Currently
there is quite a waiting list of winemakers
trying to get their hands on larger allotments
of Red Mountain grapes, while other winemakers
struggle to get their hands on some at all.
The State of Washington Department of Natural
Resources has been offering and collecting
bids for acreage on Red Mountain and some
have already been sold. In addition to this
initial lease of acreage, they plan to lease
an additional 500 acres sometime toward
the end of this year. With the release of
more acreage, the state of Washington and
some of Red Mountain’s wineries and
surrounding cities are trying to boost Red
Mountain as a wine destination with plans
for new wineries, chateaus, hotels and inns,
as well as restaurants and shops. Red Mountain
has the potential to attract a good deal
of tourism and bring an increased opportunity
for employment and revenue to both the local
area and Washington’s wine industry.
You may recognize some of Red Mountain’s
great wineries such as Kiona, Terra Blanca,
and Hedges Cellars. But you may not be as
familiar with some of the great Red Mountain
growers whose grapes are sought out by winemakers
from around the state and throughout the
northwest. Some of these prestigious vineyards
include Klipsun, Ciel de Cheval, Hedges,
Kiona, Artz, Tapteil and Red Mountain Vineyards
(RMV). From these vineyards grapes are sold
to some of the state’s most celebrated
wineries such as Betz, Bookwalter, Barnard
Griffin, Soos Creek Cellars, Quilceda Creek,
Barrister, Apex, Andrew Will, Woodward Canyon,
L'Ecole No 41, De Lille Cellars, Matthews
Cellars, McCrea Cellars, Washington Hills,
Woodhouse Family Cellars and Seven Hills
Winery. So, keep your eye out for wine with
the Red Mountain designation or with the
name of any of the celebrated vineyards
listed below.
Directions to Red Mountain Wineries:
The wineries of Red Mountain AVA (appellation)
are located in Benton City, WA at the east
end of the Yakima Valley AVA and just west
of the Tri-Cities. Take exit 96 off I-82
to visit some of these terrific wineries.
 The
wineries of Red Mountain:
Blackwood Canyon Winery
Buckmaster Cellars
Canon de Sol Winery
Chandler Reach Vineyards
Gamache Vintners
Hedges Cellars
Hightower Cellars
Kiona Vineyards Winery
Oakwood Cellars Winery
Sandhill Winery
Seth Ryan Winery
Sleeping Dog Wines
Tapteil Vineyard Winery
Terra Blanca Winery
* Photo Credit: Jeff Larsen/Special to the
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
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