Red Mountain is located on a southwest-facing slope near Benton City, Washington right outside the Tri-Cities. It’s a small wine region at only 4040 acres and is one of the warmest growing sites in the state. Red Mountain gets its name from the red hue of cheatgrass that grows on the mountain for only a few weeks during the spring. With the combination of the five pillars (southwest facing slope, warm growing season, low rainfall, soil, winds) the AVA has terroir that produces insanely unique wine grapes that make for highly sought after wines. Because the Frichettes enjoy the concentrated and flavorful fruit character and tannin in grapes from Red Mountain, they decided to let that drive the wines. They want to be a great expression of Red Mountain and that means they souce wine grapes from vineyards located at different elevations with different soils. The variation in the experience with a Cabernet Sauvignon from Scooteney Flats and a Cabernet Sauvignon from Shaw 32 is intriguing. The constant is that the fruit is high in quality, great concentration of flavors with assertive tannin.
For the 2018 Vintage, winemaker, Greg Frichette brought in over 30 ton of wine grapes from eight vineyards on Red Mountain.
Artz Vineyard | Photo Credit: Jay Frichette
Artz Vineyard is tucked off of Sunset Road northwest of Frichette’s tasting room in the Red Mountain AVA. It has some of the most beautiful views of sunsets over the Yakima River on the mountain. With over 20 acres planted, this vineyard is home to some of the most sought after red varietals. “We love them for their Semillon, which is currently offered in our tasting room.” says Shae Frichette. You can enjoy an up close and personal view of the vineyard at the dinner events offered during the summer. Check out Red Mountain Trials to get tickets to this private, off the beaten path vineyard.
Shaw 32 is one of the highest elevated sites the Frichettes purchase wine grapes from. The vineyard is tucked almost two miles north of Frichette off of Sunset Road and boasts some of the best views of Benton City, the Yakima River and Horse Heaven Hills. For the 2018 vintage, Cabernet Sauvignon (clone 2) was sourced from Shaw 32 Vineyard.
DALEE Vineyard | Photo Credit: Jay Frichette
DALEE Vineyard is owned and managed by Roger Gamache a long time farmer and grower in the Columbia Valley. The Frichettes are excited to include Cabernet Sauvignon from this vineyard in their 2018 vintage. DALEE is a five acre site next door to Fidelitas and about 1.5 miles from Frichette on Sunset Road.
Scooteney Flats Vineyard | Photo Credit: Jay Frichette
Scooteney Flats Vineyard is right off of Sunset Road and can be easily viewed while walking or driving by. Home to five red Bordeaux varietals, Scooteney Flats gets the ideal sunlight hours and is positioned with a perfect soil type to produce premium wine grapes. Frichette sourced Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot from this site for its 2018 vintage.
Red Path Vineyard is right next door to Frichette Winery and is an ideal vineyard for the Frichette’s to source from. Rob and Lisa Schwager grow all Bordeaux varietals. The 2016 Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon includes Cab from Red Path. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot were sourced from Red Path Vineyard for the 2018 Vintage.
Quintessence Vineyard | Photo Credit: Jay Frichette
Quintessence Vineyard is the largest contiguous vineyard in the Red Mountain AVA and Frichette is one of over a dozen wineries sourcing wine grapes from this prestigious site. Led by Dick and Wendy Shaw and managed by Marshall Edwards, this site is home to several red Bordeaux varietals and also includes a small amount of Sauvignon Blanc. For 2018, Frichette sourced Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot.
Heart of the Hill Vineyard | Photo Credit: Jay Frichette
Heart of the Hill Vineyard is literally right smack dab in the middle of the Red Mountain AVA. Managed by Scott Williams of Kiona, this site is home to five Bordeaux red plus Petit Syrah and Mourvedre. Frichette sourced Carmenére for its 2018 vintage from Heart of the Hill Vineyard and is thrilled to welcome this vineyard into its portfolio.
Red Heaven Vineyard has a variety of soils that make up this site. This vineyard is off of Antinori Road and only a mile from Frichette Winery. For 2018, winemaker Greg Frichette sourced Zinfandel and Syrah from Red Heaven.