Go to Hedges Wine Info and Ordering

Tom and Anne-Marie Hedges

Tom and Anne-Marie Hedges began Hedges Cellars in 1987. By keeping a narrow focus on a few varieties and a few wines, Hedges has become a landmark winery in Washington State. The first wine produced was a Bordeaux-inspired blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot labeled Cabernet · Merlot. The wine was sold exclusively in the Swedish market and was an immediate success. Distribution was initiated in the U.S. in late 1990 with the 1989 vintage of Cabernet · Merlot.

In order to maintain quality control, the Hedges began securing grapes from some of the finest vineyards in the state. Tom and Anne-Marie went to Red Mountain, a sub-growing region of the Columbia Valley, which is internationally recognized as producing distinctive Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Syrah. Hedges purchased land on Red Mountain in 1989 and planted 18 acres of Merlot, 16 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon, and 1 acre of Cabernet Franc. Additional acreage was purchased in 1997 and planted with Cabernet Sauvignon (14), Merlot (8), Cabernet Franc (3), and Syrah (5).

Hedges portfolio expanded in 1992 with the addition of Fumé · Chardonnay. A combination of Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay, Hedges Fumé · Chardonnay has rapidly become the white wine equivalent of Hedges Columbia Valley Cabernet · Merlot in that it has quickly been recognized for its exceptional quality and value. “Three Vineyards” as the name implies, is composed of fruit from three vineyards: the Hedges Estate Vineyards (Chateau and Bel’Villa) and Red Mountain Vineyard (RMV). Red Mountain Reserve is made from small production lots of the finest barrels from these same vineyard sources. Red Mountain Reserve and Three Vineyards wines are produced from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and occasionally Cabernet Franc grown exclusively on Red Mountain, Washington’s foremost wine producing area.

The chateau-styled winery shown above was completed at the Hedges Estate Vineyard in 1995. In 1997 a facility in Issaquah, just East of Seattle, was completed to house a tasting room, hospitality center with professional kitchen, and administrative offices. Today, Hedges Cellars wines can be found in 45states and 15 foreign countries.

WINE GROWING IN WASHINGTON STATE
WITH HEDGES CELLARS

Many circumstances combine to allow the production of fine wine in Washington State. Eastern Washington possesses the correct combination of soil and temperature to produce truly great wine and it is this combination that sets Washington apart from other wine producing areas. Eastern Washington’s climatic conditions are influenced by the Cascade Mountain Range which acts as an effective barrier to the moist, moderate marine weather patterns of the Pacific Ocean and the Puget Sound. East of the Cascades, conditions are somewhat different with this portion of the state being much warmer and semi-arid. In this desert climate, where rainfall averages about six inches annually, grape vines must be irrigated. However, the relative lack of moisture is also beneficial in limiting excessive vine growth and rot and in increasing fruit quality and intensity. Washington’s northern latitude adds additional daylight hours allowing for a longer more even growing environment resulting in the production of fully mature fruit. Sandy, high-carbonate soil running as much as twenty-five feet deep provides an ideal environment for deep-rooting grapevines. Very cool desert nights preserve acidity.

Washington has four officially recognized wine-growing regions: the Yakima Valley, the Walla Walla Valley, the Columbia Valley and the Puget Sound region. There are a few areas that are clearlysuperior in the production of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Red Mountain is one of these sites and the location that Hedges Cellars chose to establish its estate vineyards. Lying at the extreme eastern end of the Yakima Valley, the Red Mountain area’s unique geography provides a protective climate for viticulture: very warm and dry but well tempered by breezes. The insulating effect of the hills and southwestern exposure makes severe freezes a rarity. Considered by many to be the best red grape growing site in Washington State, Red Mountain is characterized by producing reds that have an intense deep color, concentrated aromas, and surprising richness, balance, strength and age worthiness.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

WASHINGTON STATE WINE INDUSTRY ADDS FIFTH APPELLATION:
RED MOUNTAIN VITICULTURE AREA
RECEIVES GOVERNMENT APPROVAL

Seattle, WA, April 5, 2001—The Washington State wine industry received government approval this week to add Red Mountain, as the state’s fifth American Viticultural Area (AVA) acknowledging the regions specific soil, warm climate, and topography or terroir. Encompassing approximately 3,400 acres, Red Mountain is part of the Yakima Valley and sits on a southwest-facing slope east of the Yakima River.

The official certification from the United States Treasury Department of Bureau, Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (BATF) recognizes Red Mountain as the smallest, most focused viticulture region in the Northwest. Currently, only 700 acres of wine grapes are planted in this area, but potential exists to expand to 1,700 acres.

“Red Mountain is one of the state’s premier red wine growing regions,” said Steve Burns, executive director of the Washington Wine Commission. “Government approval allows the industry to distinguish the quality fruit produced on Red Mountain and differentiate itself among global competitors.”

After more than two years of research to prove Red Mountain’s unique characteristics, Washington winemakers using fruit from Red Mountain vineyards can now label wines specific to this AVA.

“Acknowledging Red Mountain as an official AVA, allows wine-knowledgeable consumers to recognize these wines in retail and restaurant venues,” said Lorne Jacobson, who spearheaded the Red Mountain approval process and serves as the sales and marketing director for Hedges Cellars. “Wines made from Red Mountain grapes are known for their great power, strength, and richness as well as demonstrate exceptional balance and age-worthiness.”

Other Washington State appellations and dates of establishment include:
Yakima Valley—1983
Walla Walla Valley—1984
Columbia Valley—1984
Puget Sound—1995

Red Mountain is home to some of the state’s top vineyards—Artz, Bel’Villa, Ciel du Cheval, Hedges Estate, Kiona, Klipsun, Red Mountain Vineyards, Seth Ryan, and Taptiel. Wine grape varietals include mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc as well as smaller amounts of Syrah, Sangiovese, and Lemberger.

Washington wineries currently using Red Mountain wine grapes include: Arc-en-Ciel, Andrake, Andrew Will Cellars, Apex Cellars, Barnard Griffin, Betz Family Winery, Bookwalter, Cadence, Camaraderie Cellars, Canoe Ridge, DeLille Cellars, Gibbons Lane, Foris Vineyards, Hedges Cellars, Hightower Cellars, JM Cellars, Januik, Kiona, Kestrel vintners, L’Ecole No 41, Matthew Cellars, McCrea Cellars, Owen-Sullivan, Mount Baker Vineyards, Quilceda Creek, Randall Harris, Ryan Cray, Sandhill, Seth Ryan, Seven Hills, Soos Creek, Terra Blanca, Three Rivers, Waterbrook, Wilridge, Woodward Canyon, and Yakima River Winery