RED MOUNTAIN

The smallest appellation in Washington State at 4,040 acres, Red Mountain is named after the reddish hue of cheatgrass in the spring. This is a hot AVA with 6 to 8 inches of average rainfall and the plantings are primarily red grapes. Red Mountain soil is made up of sandy loam and gravel with high alkalinity (high pH) and a rich calcium carbonate content. A lack of soil nutrients along with the high pH reduces the vigor of the vines, resulting in significantly smaller berry sizes compared to varietal norms. This, along with prevailing winds, leads to higher tannin levels in many of the wines compared to other regions.

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