Red Mountain AVA

Infobox Wine Region
name = Red Mountain AVA


official name =
other name =
type = American Viticultural Area
year = 2001 [http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr;sid=bff700d0bbb2a632948b70fe7e91d7d4;rgn=div5;view=text;node=27%3A1.0.1.1.7;idno=27;cc=ecfr#27:1.0.1.1.7.3.41.147 Code of Federal Regulations. "§ 9.167 Red Mountain."] Title 27: Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; Part 9 — American Viticultural Areas; Subpart C — Approved American Viticultural Areas. Retrieved Jan. 30, 2008.]
wine years =
country = USA
part of = Columbia Valley AVA, Washington, Yakima Valley AVA
similar =
sub regions =
season = 180 days
climate region =
heat units =
precipitation = convert|6|in|cm|0 to convert|8|in|cm|0
soil =
total size = convert|4040|acre|km2|0Appellation America (2007). [http://wine.appellationamerica.com/wine-region/Red-Mountain.html "Red Mountain (AVA): Appellation Description"] . Retrieved Jan. 30, 2008.]
planted = convert|710|acre|km2|1
vineyards =
grapes = Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Counoise, Gewurztraminer, Lemberger, Malbec, Merlot, Mourvedre, Nebbiolo, Petit Verdot, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Roussanne, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Syrah, Viognier
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The Red Mountain AVA is an American Viticultural Area that includes the land surrounding Red Mountain in Benton County, Washington. It is part of the Yakima Valley AVA, which in turn is part of the larger Columbia Valley AVA. Located between Benton City and Richland, the Red Mountain AVA is the smallest in the state at only convert|4040|acre|km2|0 in area. T. Parker "Discovering Washington Wines" pg 31 Raconteurs Press 2002 ISBN 0971925852] The area has convert|600|acre|km2|1 under cultivation T. Parker "Discovering Washington Wines" pg 41 Raconteurs Press 2002 ISBN 0971925852] of primarily red varietals including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sangiovese, Cabernet Franc and Syrah. [ [http://www.washingtonwine.org/appel.cfm Washington Wine] ] The reputation of the wines produced in this area has brought Red Mountain AVA world-wide acclaim. [A. King " [http://www.winepressnw.com/news/story/8286694p-8183221c.html Red Mountain rising: Tiny wine-producing region drawing worldwide attention] " Wine Press Northwest October 9th, 2006] The vineyards in this appellation have produced grapes for some of the most sought after wines in Washington State. [ P. Gregutt " [http://wine.appellationamerica.com/wine-region/Red-Mountain.html Red Mountain Appellation Information] " Appellation America]

Geography

The area of the Red Mountain AVA was formed by the Missoula floods more than 10,000 years ago when flooding changed the rocky landscape and left nutrient rich top soil deposits. B. Schoenfeld " [http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Archives/Show_Article/0,1275,5988,00.html Gold Rush on Red Mountain] " Wine Spectator May 15th, 2007] The geography 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|ft|m|0 to convert|1500|ft|m|0, the landscape today dominates this area of the lower Yakima Valley. The red color in the name comes from the dark red springtime hue of the drooping brome or "cheatgrass" in the area. The soil in the area is very gravelly, with high alkalinity (high pH) and calcium carbonate content.

Climate

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 AVA. The nighttime temperatures drop considerably, helping to preserve the acid levels within the grape. T. Parker "Discovering Washington Wines" pg 40 Raconteurs Press 2002 ISBN 0971925852] At Benton City, the Yakima River flows past the area and provides a moderating effect on the temperature. Cool air from the north, seeking the lower elevation of the river valley, moves downwards across the hillsides planted with vineyards and helps keep the grapes from being overheated. The constant air movement prevents air from settling in the area and allowing frost to damage the grapes R. Irvine & W. Clore "The Wine Project" pg 271 Sketch Publications 1997 ISBN 0-9650834-9-7 ]

The area has a desert climate with average yearly rainfall of five inches. During the growing season, daytime temperatures average convert|90|°F|°C|0 with nighttime temperatures dropping below convert|50|°F|°C|0. J. Gaffney " [http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Daily/News/0,1145,1022,00.html Washington Wineries Seek New Appellation] " Wine Spectator April 24, 2000]

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. T. Parker "Discovering Washington Wines" pg 41 Raconteurs Press 2002 ISBN 0971925852] 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".

Wines

The area is known for producing powerful, tannic red wines. T. Parker "Discovering Washington Wines" pg 60 Raconteurs Press 2002 ISBN 0971925852] 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 states, 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. R. Irvine & W. Clore "The Wine Project" pg 272 Sketch Publications 1997 ISBN 0-9650834-9-7 ] 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. [ Wine Spectator " [http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Archives/Show_Article/0,1275,5993,00.html Great Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon: Washington] " May 15th, 2007 ]

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 rating from Robert Parker's "The Wine Advocate". T. Parker "Discovering Washington Wines" pg 85 Raconteurs Press 2002 ISBN 0971925852] Only 15 other wines in the US have received this designation, all made from California grapes. [ M. Allision " [http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2002973126_wine05.html Cup of cheer overflows for Snohomish vintners] " Seattle Times May 5, 2006] Only five other previous vintages have received consecutive perfect scores in "The Wine Advocate"'s publishing history. [ Business Digest " [http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2002955799_bizbriefs27.html Snohomish winery makes state history] " May 3rd, 2006] The Quilceda Creek wines were a blends with grapes from three Red Mountain vineyards-Ciel du Cheval, Klipsun, and Taptiel-and one vineyard from the nearby Horse Heaven Hills AVA. [ Quilceda Creek [http://www.quilcedacreek.com/VintageNotes.asp?SID=63&SSID=B2EC6465-F245-4FBB-A1B2-92A22A30E945&yr=2002 2002 Vintage] Tasting Notes ] [ Quilceda Creek [http://www.quilcedacreek.com/VintageNotes.asp?SID=63&SSID=B2EC6465-F245-4FBB-A1B2-92A22A30E945&yr=2003 2003 Vintage] Tasting notes]

Future growth

In the early 21st century, the reputation of Red Mountain AVA has helped foster an era of growth for the appellation. Like most wine growing regions in Eastern Washington, Red Mountain is located in the rain shadow of the Cascade Range. Irrigation is essential to wine growing, with water rights being tightly controlled by Washington's Department of Natural Resources. In the past, this has limited commercial growth and the opening of new wineries in the area though these restrictions may be lightened 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

*Ciel du Cheval
*Klipsun
*Kiona Vineyards
*Taptiel vineyards
*Gran Reve

See also

*Washington wine

External links

* [http://www.winesnw.com/yak.html List of Wineries in Red Mountain]
* [http://www.winesquire.com/articles/2001/wnw0105.htm Profile of Red Mountain]
* [http://www.winesnw.com/yakmap3.html Map of Red Mountain Wineries]
* [http://www.visityakima.com/ Yakima Valley Visitors Bureau]

References