Red Mountain AVA

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 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. 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. 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 The area has a desert climate with average annual rainfall of . During the growing season, daytime temperatures average with nighttime temperatures dropping below . 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. 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. == Wines ==

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. 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. Only five other previous vintages have received consecutive perfect scores in The Wine Advocate's publishing history. 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. == 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. == Vineyards ==

• Aquilini • Artz Vineyard • Avennia Estate Vineyard (Formerly Tapteil Vineyard) • Bel Tramato • Bel Villa • Blackwood Canyon • Cara Mia, Cadence Winery • Casad Vineyards • Ciel du Cheval • Col Solare Estate Vineyard • Cooper Estate Vineyard • Fidélitas Estate Vineyard • Force Majeure Vineyards (Formerly "Grand Rêve") • Grand Ciel Vineyard, DeLille Cellars • Heart of the Hill • Hedges Estate • Hightower "Out of Line" Estate Vineyard • Jolet Vineyard • Klipsun • Kiona Estate • Les Gosses • Magdalena • Obelisco Estate Vineyard • Quintessence • Ranch at the End of the Road • Red Heaven • Red Mountain Railroad Vineyard • Scooteney Flats • Sunset Bench • Terra Blanca Estate Vineyard • Tinte Estate Vineyard • Upchurch • WeatherEye == Wineries ==

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