Amanda White, party of 3 — Red Mountain: Two Days!
Wednesday, June 28
Known for its Cabernet Sauvignon and comprising 4,040 acres (about 2,043 acres of which is currently planted with wine grapes), Red Mountain is named for the red-hued native grass that grows on its slopes. Once a backwater eddy during the time of the pre-historic Missoula floods, the soil combination of sand, silt and loam is ideal for growing vinifera grapes.
The tiny Red Mountain appellation is the warmest in Washington state, producing grapes with ripe fruit character, great aromatics, and full tannins. The combination of heat, nutrient-poor soils, low rainfall and cool night temperatures leads to concentrated fruit and wines with amazing structure, power, and elegance.
Pickup at 1620 Venus Circle, Richland, 10:20am
11:00 a.m. — Col Solare
50207 Antinori Road, Benton City, WA—Feature flight tasting, $50pp
A remarkable collaboration of Old World and New World winemaking traditions is at the heart of Col Solare. The enterprise began in 1995 after a consultant for Chateau Ste. Michelle, the Northwest’s oldest winery, invited 26th-generation winemaker Marchese Antinori to visit the Columbia Valley and learn about how wines were being made here. Since then, the partnership has led to the opening of their architecturally stunning new tasting room and production facility and the planting of their estate vineyard.
12:15 p.m.- Cooper | Red Mountain
35306 N Sunset Rd, Benton City, WA—Tasting Fee, $5pp, waived with $150 purchase
Cooper Wine Company is part of the legacy of great Estate Wineries on Red Mountain. A small, family-run operation, Cooper is all about Bordeaux-style reds. Bud, the chocolate lab, will be on hand to oversee your tasting experience.
1:30 p.m. — Frischette Winery
39412 N Sunset Rd. Benton City, WA—Tasting Fee, $18pp for a Signature flight; $20pp for the Mystery flight
Heads, Washington; tails, South Carolina. The coin landed heads up, and now Frischette is home to one of the most dynamic husband-and-wife winemaking teams on Red Mountain. Everything about their open-hearted approach to life and winemaking permeates this tasting experience, from the perfectly calibrated playlist to the “edutaining” approach of their staff.
This will be our lunch stop. Lunch provided by Curated from Graze: A Place to Eat. Please select from the menu items below.
3:00 p.m. Kiona Vineyards
44612 N Sunset Rd, Benton City, WA — Tasting fee: $15pp; waived for every $30 spent on wine
Starting in 1975, Kiona pioneered the Red Mountain viticultural area with its unique microclimate. Their vineyards supply more than 60 other Washington wineries, but Kiona produces wines of outstanding character themselves. This 20,000 square-foot facility is bright and airy, offering stunning views of the mountain and Kiona’s estate vineyards.
Thursday, June 29
11:00 a.m. Hightower
19418 E 583 PR NE, Benton City, WA — Tasting Fee: $15 pp
With gentle winemaking techniques and a knack for blending, Tim and Kelly Hightower craft wines with great character that are naturally beautiful and free from pretense. This serene tasting room, nestled high among the lush vines of the 15-acre estate, boasts majestic views.
12:15 p.m. — Upchurch Vineyard
32901 Vineyard View PR NE, Benton City, WA 99320—Tasting Fee: $35pp, waived w/ purchase of $50
Winemaker Chris Upchurch is something of a rock star and iconoclast. As a founding winemaker and partner at DeLille Cellars, he crafted some of the most award-winning wines in Washington. Since 2007 Chris—together with his wife Thea and Red Mountain pioneer Dick Bouchey—have been able to create something most winemakers only dream about: their own estate winery. These are lofty, truly special wines, created with unrivaled passion and a commitment to sustainable farming.
1:45 p.m. — Hedges Family Estate
53511 N Sunset Rd, Benton City, WA 99320
Led by a passion for authenticity and a deep connection to the land they call home, the Hedges Family epitomizes the modern wine estate. A blend of rich cultural upbringings and a shared love for creating beautiful wine converge at the heart of bucolic Red Mountain, fostering a true homegrown approach to farming and viticulture. Hedges Family Estate unites past and present, evolving tradition for generations to come.
You’ll be seated in the wine bar, where food is available here for purchase alongside your tasting.
3:00 p.m. Anelare
19205 N. McBee Road NW, Benton City, WA 99320 — $20 per person, refundable with a 3 bottle purchase
“Anelare” is Italian for “desire” or “yearn for,” moreover it has strong Latin roots meaning “to strive.” It is a fitting description of this small production, premium winery. The tasting room is located on the Kiona hillside, overlooking Red Mountain, Rattlesnake, and Badger Canyon.