Amanda White, party of 5 — Red /Candy Mountain: Friday, August 18
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.
Established in 2020, the 815-acre region designated as Candy Mountain is Washington State’s tiniest and second-youngest AVA. Currently there are 110 acres of vineyards planted here, and only one winery operating within the appellation.
11:30 a.m. — Pickup at your lodging, 6034 West 41st Avenue, Kennewick. Jamey is your driver: (208) 867-8261
12:00 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.
1:30 p.m.— Kitzke Cellars
72308 E 260 Private Rd NE #7779, Richland, WA 99352
The Kitzke family has been growing Bordeaux varietals on Candy Mountain since 2000, and now their son Seth is the lead winemaker. A commitment to sustainable practices led them to drop the use of herbicides in 2016, and in the interest of expressing the nuances of their unique site, their wines are made with minimal intervention,using native yeast, and in very limited quantities.
This will also be our lunch spot. We’ll stop along the way at Country Mercantile for supplies for a picnic lunch. (5015 AVA WAY RICHLAND, WA 99352)
3:00 p.m.- Upchurch Vineyards
32901 Vineyard View PR NE, Benton city, WA — 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.
4:30 p.m. — Tucannon Cellars
40504 Demoss Rd, Benton City, WA 99320 / $20 tasting fee, waived with a two-bottle purchase or joining the wine club.
Family-owned, boutique winery Tucannon Cellars occupies the site of the former Oakwood Estates, which was one of Washington’s very first wineries, founded in 1986. The denHoed family became the third owners of the operation in 2022, inheriting substantial modernization and upgrades made by the previous owners. Wines produced include Albariño, Chardonnay, Cab Franc, Tempranillo, Mourvedre, Petit Verdot, and even Zinfandel.
Jamey will return you to your lodgings after the tasting at Tucannon.