Washington State Wine Industry Adds Fifth Appellation; Red Mountain Viticulture Area Receives Government Approval.Business Editors, Food Writers SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--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 An American Viticultural Area (AVA) is a delimited grape-growing region distinguishable by geographic features, with boundaries defined by the United States government's Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB). (AVA Ava, in the Bible Ava (ā`və), in the Bible, an unidentified city of Mesopotamia, perhaps the same as Ivah. Its inhabitants are called Avites. ) acknowledging the regions specific soil, warm climate, and topography or terroir Terroir (/tεʀwaʀ/ in French) was originally a French term in wine and coffee used to denote the special characteristics that geography bestowed upon them. . 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 Yakima River River, south-central Washington, U.S. Rising in the Cascade Range, it flows southeast for about 200 mi (320 km) to join the Columbia River near Kennewick. The Yakima and its tributaries irrigate about 460,000 acres (190,000 hectares) in the river valley. . The official certification from the United States Treasury Department of Bureau, Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (BATF BATF abbr. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms ) 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 Famous people named Gibbons include:
Any of several birds of prey (genus Falco) known for hovering while hunting. Kestrels prey on large insects, birds, and small mammals. The male is more colourful than the female. Kestrels are mainly Old World birds, but one species, the American kestrel (F. Vintners, L'Ecole No 41, Matthew Cellars, McCrea Cellars, Owen-Sullivan, Mount Baker Vineyards, Quilceda Creek, Randall Harris, Ryan Cray, Sandhill A sandhill is an ecological community type found in many parts of the world. Sandhills in the coastal plain of North America This xeric fire-maintained ecosystem features very short fire return intervals, one to five years. , Seth Ryan, Seven Hills, Soos Creek, Terra Blanca, Three Rivers, Waterbrook, Wilridge, Woodward Canyon, and Yakima River Winery, The Washington Wine Commission is a nonprofit organization Nonprofit Organization An association that is given tax-free status. Donations to a non-profit organization are often tax deductible as well. Notes: Examples of non-profit organizations are charities, hospitals and schools. based in Seattle, Wash., working to build awareness for Washington state wines among wine and non-wine media, trade, and consumers. For more information about Washington wines, touring, and tasting opportunities call 206/667-9463 or visit www.washingtonwine.org. |
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