The Red Mountain AVA

EDITOR’S NOTE: The following information about Washington’s Red Mountain AVA was provided to DiscoverWashingtonWine.com by the Red Mountain AVA Alliance. Learn more about this highly acclaimed AVA by calling the Alliance at (509) 426-4495 or by visiting the Alliance’s website at: www.RedMountainAVA.com.

The Red Mountain AVA is located on a southwest-facing slope in south central Washington, a three and one-half hour drive from Seattle.

At 4,040 acres, this is the smallest, warmest wine-grape growing region in Washington. It has a unique combination of diverse geology, gentle south slope, consistent winds and notable heat profile.

A complex mixture of the most rare and highly valued soil types in Washington was created by wind-blown silt and sand over glacial outflow. The AVA’s red wine grapes such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah are highly prized for creating wines of superb concentration and depth, which consistently earn critical acclaim.

Terroir

Since the dawn of time, natural forces have worked powerfully and mysteriously, and in rare circumstances have aligned to collectively create earthly wonders, such as exquisite gems that are singular in all the world.

One of those gems remained hidden in plain view, waiting patiently for thousands of years until such time as certain adventurous, wine loving souls would have the wisdom and foresight to reveal it to the world. This is the story of Red Mountain’s “terroir”.

Geography

The small geographic region that comprises the Red Mountain AVA was formed by the repeated ice-age flooding of Glacial Lake Missoula over 10,000 years ago. The flood waters redesigned the landscape, configuring the soft mountain slopes and depositing nutrient-rich top soils over sand, silt and gravel – as if to anticipate the introduction of wine grapes to the region.

Soil

The predominate soils of Red Mountain are not found anywhere else in the state. Wind-blown Loess (Warden, Hezel and Scooteney) were brought in by pre-historic floods. The high alkalinity and calcium carbonate content of the soil, along with its granular consistency, allows for each vine to form a well-established root system. In soils with this composition, root systems are able to reach deep to obtain the necessary nutrients and moisture.

Slope

The southwest slope of the Red Mountain AVA provides the vineyards in the region with a directional aspect to the sun that is ideal for prolonged sunlight exposure and warmth. These highly desirable conditions allow for a ripeness in tannins that is recognized as a primary characteristic of Red Mountain fruit.

Precipitation

The Cascade Mountain rain shadow has its greatest effect in Red Mountain, where the desert climate experiences an average annual rainfall of seven inches, and almost no precipitation during the growing season. The use of drip irrigation provides ideal grape growing conditions through canopy management. The result is dramatically lower mold and mildew pressure compared to most vineyard regions.

Microclimate

Red Mountain experiences more growing degree days than any other region in the state. The high latitude (N 46*) and topography contribute wide temperature swings experienced during the growing season, with daytime temperatures averaging 90 °F and night time temperatures dropping below 50 °F.

In the evenings, the AVA experiences a notable drop in temperatures with the Yakima River playing a moderating role in providing a cooling effect to Red Mountain’s gentle slopes. The cooler evenings help to retain acidity levels, which allows for the exceptional balance and structure found in Red Mountain grapes, and the wines crafted from them.

Winds

The prevailing winds come out of the Southwest and are notable for their frequency and velocity. The regular gusts of warm air flow through the AVA’s vineyards during the growing season — keeping the grape clusters small and concentrating the flavors of the fruit – which contributes to their richness and intensity.

Air Drainage

In the autumn, the cooler air from the north flows down the slope of the mountain, toward the river. This natural air drainage provides continual air movement, which helps prevent frost from settling in the vineyards and damaging the grapes.

Wines made from Red Mountain fruit express this unique terroir with exceptional color, strength and richness while demonstrating remarkable balance of fruit, acidity, and tannin.

History

Red Mountain is relatively new to the fine wine scene.

The first wine pioneers to the region initially walked the land in the summer of 1972. They found a gently sloping sagebrush covered hillside that had been largely overlooked by both early settlers and local indigenous peoples. There were no roads, wells, power-lines or any other signs of civilization.

These wine pioneers were John Williams and Jim Holmes. They had been greatly influenced by the wine grape research conducted by Dr. Walter Clore and his staff at the WSU agricultural station in Prosser.

Three years later in 1975, after obtaining power, water and rights-of-way to the property, they planted the first ten acres of vineyard on Red Mountain. As wine hobbyists, they had imagined that planting a vineyard might be fun, and maybe even profitable. While they hoped that their efforts may one day produce acceptable wine, they had not envisioned the greatness that was to follow.

The first wines produced were remarkably good, and the reputation of Red Mountain began to grow. Vineyard expansion grew steadily and the pioneers sold their grapes to some of the wineries that are now recognized as some of the best.

The first Red Mountain winery was bonded in 1980. After that time, more people began to purchase land and plant vineyards, recognizing the superior quality of Red Mountain grapes and the potential for world-class wines.

Today, 12 wineries call Red Mountain home: Col Solare, Cooper Wine Company, Domaine Magdalena, Fidelitas Wines & Estate Vineyard, Frichette Winery, Hamilton Cellars, Hedges Family Estate, Hightower Cellars &Vineyard, Kiona Vineyards & Winery, Tapteil Vineyards and Winery, Terra Blanca Winery & Estate Vineyard and Upchurch Vineyard.

AVA status was achieved in 2001. Red Mountain now hosts approximately fifty-four vineyards covering more than 2,300 acres, making Red Mountain one of the most densely planted AVA’s with 57% of the AVA currently planted.

Vital Statistics

Size: 4,040 acres, the smallest Washington American Viticultural Area

Elevation: From 540 feet to 1,400 feet

Estimated plantable acreage: 2,700 acres

First planted: 1975

Soils: Predominate soils are Warden, Hezel, and Scooteney

Slope: Classic southwest slope, 0-15%

Root stock: Own-rooted, small amounts grafted

Irrigation: Mostly drip via deep wells and the Yakima River

Average yield: 3.2 tons per acre

Sunlight: 2 hours more per day during the growing season than Napa Valley

Annual rainfall: Seven inches

Major varietals grown: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot

Price per ton: Approximately three times the state average