| Wine region | |
 | |
| Type | American Viticultural Area |
|---|---|
| Year established | 2001)[1] |
| Country | United States |
| Part of | Columbia Valley AVA,Washington,Yakima Valley AVA |
| Other regions inColumbia Valley AVA,Washington,Yakima Valley AVA | Candy Mountain AVA,Goose Gap AVA,Rattlesnake Hills AVA,Snipes Mountain AVA |
| Growing season | 180 days |
| Climate region | Continental |
| Precipitation (annual average) | 5 inches (127 mm)[2] |
| Soil conditions | Warden & Scooteney silt loam, Hezel loamy fine sand and Kiona very stony silt loam[1] |
| Total area | 4,040 acres (6 sq mi)[1] |
| Size of planted vineyards | 2,225 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 wineries | more than 15[2] |
Red Mountain is anAmerican Viticultural Area (AVA) that encompasses the local region surroundingRed Mountain inBenton County,Washington. The viticultural area was formally recognized on June 11, 2001 by theBureau 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 theYakima Valley and vastColumbia Valley appellations and is a small AVA in the state at only 4,040 acres (6.31 sq mi) in area and lies betweenBenton City and the City ofWest Richland.[4] The area has more than 2,225 acres (900 ha) under cultivation of primarily red varietals includingCabernet Sauvignon,Merlot,Sangiovese,Cabernet Franc andSyrah.[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]
TheMissoula floods, a series of massive floods that occurred at the end of the lastIce 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-blownloess was deposited, creating a thin mantle ofdunes 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 theColumbia Basin lowlands where theColumbia River turns southward towards theSaddle Mountains. With elevations ranging from 500 to 1,500 feet (152–457 m), the landscape dominates this area of the lowerYakima Valley. Red Mountain derives its name from the red-winespringtime bloom of thedrooping brome or "cheatgrass" on its slopes. The soil in the area is verygravelly, with highalkalinity (high pH) andcalcium carbonate content.[1]
The area has one of the most unusualterroirs 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, theYakima 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 constantair movement prevents air settling andfrost damage to the grapes[7] The area has adesert 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 onirrigation to supply water to the vines allowing viniters to optimize thegrowth cycle of their grapevines.
In the 1970s, John Williams ofKiona Vineyards and Jim Holmes, originally of Kiona thenCiel 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 permittedwine 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 andTerra Blanca Winery.[8]In 2007,Chateau Ste Michelle andMarchesi 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] In 2013, Aquilini Vineyards purchased 670 acres on Red Mountain.
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 aCalifornia wine, while the same clone planted in nearbyHorse Heaven Hills AVA produces a wine similar in profile toBordeaux.[10]
Many ofWashington'scult wines are produced from Cabernet Sauvignon grapes grown in this AVA including the 2002, 2003 and 2005Quilceda Creek Vintners Cabernet Sauvignon, which scored the rare 100 pointwine rating fromRobert Parker'sThe 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 inThe 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 adjoiningHorse Heaven Hills viticultural area.
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 inEastern Washington, Red Mountain is in therain shadow of theCascade Range making irrigation essential with water rights controlled by the state'sDepartment 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]
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in thepublic domain.| International | |
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46°15′56″N119°26′57″W / 46.26565404°N 119.44908253°W /46.26565404; -119.44908253
