The backbone of DeLille’s founding wine, Chaleur Estate, is sourced from Ciel du Cheval's 1982 planting of Cabernet Sauvignon.ĭeLille Cellars planted its own vineyard on Red Mountain in 2000, Grand Ciel Vineyard, where the winery grows Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. Since the winery’s founding in 1992, DeLille Cellars has looked to Red Mountain as a significant source for fruit, especially Cabernet Sauvignon. Red Mountain achieved its AVA status in 2001 and now hosts 50+ vineyards spanning more than 4,000 acres. The first vineyards were planted in 1975 and spanned a total of 10 acres. Red Mountain HistoryĪlthough Red Mountain is relatively new to Washington State’s wine scene, its reputation grew quickly. These include Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, and Chardonnay. White VarietalsĪlthough very few white wines are sourced from Red Mountain, there are limited plantings of white grape varietals. Red Mountain Syrahs are typically bold and full-bodied, with abundant dark fruit flavors and mineral notes. Merlots exhibit strong tannic elements - sometimes more so than Cabernet. Cabernet Sauvignons tend to be full-bodied, dark, and dense with cherry aromas and flavors. Red Mountain wines often have a distinct minerality. These varietals include Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Syrah.

Due to warm temperatures, red grapes dominate in the Red Mountain AVA. Red Mountain is known for producing powerful and tannic wines and has achieved worldwide acclaim in recent years. Distinctly Washington: Red Mountain Grapes This combination results in significantly smaller berry sizes and higher tannin levels compared to other growing regions in Washington State. The Red Mountain AVA is known for sandy loam and gravel with high alkalinity (high pH) and a rich calcium carbonate content. Floodwaters created powerful back-eddies that deposited sediment in an irregular manner, resulting in heterogeneous soil. Red Mountain, spanning approximately 4,500 acres, was formed by the Missoula floods over 10,000 years ago at the end of the last ice age. Red Mountain vineyards rely on irrigation for water supply, since the area receives only five inches of rainfall a year on average. Low evening temperatures help preserve the acid levels of the grape. Daytime growing temperatures often exceed 90☏ (32☌) while evening temperatures drop below 50☏ (10☌). The area receives more sunlight hours than any other part of the Columbia Valley AVA. Red Mountain is typically Washington’s warmest growing region with broad, southwest-facing slopes. The climate, geography, and unique terroir of the region contribute to the intensity, power, and elegance of Red Mountain wine. Red Mountain is located in the Yakima Valey AVA, which is part of the larger Columbia AVA that spans Central and Southern Washington. While the Red Mountain AVA is neither red nor mountainous, its vineyards produce high-quality fruit that embodies flavors and mineral notes unique to Washington State. Red Mountain is also one of the warmest AVA's in Washington State and is home to some of the best vineyards. The elevation gain of the hillside itself, combined with the airflow generated by the Yakima River, which surrounds the entire southwest-facing slope, offers additional sunlight and cool breezes. The unique position of Red Mountain within the Columbia Valley offers one of the state’s best areas to grow wine grapes, especially Cabernet Sauvignon.

Red Mountain is a premier growing region in Washington State and is known for growing dense, tannic fruit that reward careful winemaking with powerful, yet balanced wines that can age for decades.

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