(Wines&Vines) - —One year ago, a flurry of land deals turned a spotlight on the Red Mountain AVA in southern Washington state. In the area known for producing quality grapes for red wines, the deals began to resemble a land rush, with buyers seemingly lined up to grow the grapes that would define Washington state (see “B.C. Group Wins Washington Land” and “Canvasback Takes Flight”).

In some respects, reality has matched perceptions.

With another record harvest in the tank, vintners such as Ste. Michelle Wine Estates’ Col Solare, Duckhorn’s Canvasback, and Charlie Hoppes’ Fidelitas properties are focusing on Red Mountain-designated wines. While the appellation is the state’s smallest, the vintners believe its wines can stand on their own, apart from the broader Columbia Valley AVA and other subappellations. 

“We’ve identified a very specific vision of having Red Mountain be recognized as one of the great Cabernet Sauvignon appellations of the world,” said Ryan Pennington of Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, which this week released its first-ever Red Mountain-designated vintage of its flagship Col Solare Red Blend.

As Ste. Michelle Wine Estates’ representative on the Red Mountain AVA Alliance, Pennington said the alliance as a whole is preparing to undertake greater promotion of its wines on the heels of a revised strategic plan (see “Red Mountain Development Heats Up”).