Napa Wineries Still Scouting Red Mountain

(Wines&Vines) - They may have lost the battle, but the fight continues on Red Mountain as California wineries remain scouting properties in the wake of a hotly contested land auction.

Aquilini Investment Group’s surprise purchase of 670 acres on the venerable mountain, including 519 acres within the Red Mountain AVA, trumped bids by 38 other parties including both local wineries and contenders from California (see “B.C. Group Wins Washington Land”).

One of those California bidders was Duckhorn Vineyards, which president and CEO Alex Ryan told Wines & Vines is close to acquiring property in the AVA.

There are parcels available near Col Solare, the venture between the Antinori family of Italy and Chateau Ste. Michelle, and Ryan acknowledged that the area is of interest.

“There are a couple up there that we’re interested in,” he said. “Can’t really talk about things that aren’t done yet…(but) more than likely you’re going to hear about something pretty quick.”

Duckhorn purchased grapes from Red Mountain vineyards in 2012 and again this year, with winemaking taking place at Artifex Wine Co. in Walla Walla, Wash. Ryan expects the first release of wines (from the 2012 vintage) to occur in late 2014. The wines will bear the name Canvasback, ensuring the company’s brand family remains ducky.

The auction and other properties

Participation in the Nov. 23 auction was significant because of the connections it fostered, Ryan said. While the initial response to the Aquilini purchase of parcels on Red Mountain was one of intense scrutiny of the motives of a family hitherto known in Eastern Washington primarily for its Sunnyside dairy operation, Ryan hopes to build on the relationships initiated there.