Charlie Hoppes, Owner + Winemaker

Fidelitas is led by acclaimed Columbia Valley vintner, Charlie Hoppes. Charlie first became interested in winemaking while working as a flight test engineer in the early 1980’s. After spending some time with white riesling and home winemaking kits, Charlie pursued his passion at University of California, Davis, graduating in 1988.
    Since graduation, Charlie has served as the winemaker for a few of Washington’s most recognizable labels. Perhaps most notably, he spent a decade with Chateau Ste. Michelle, first as Assistant Winemaker, then the Head Red Winemaker during the 1990’s. Today, Charlie continues to be a sought after consultant for Washington wineries.
    In the year 2000 with the support of his wife Terri, Charlie began his own winery and named it Fidelitas, drawing on the family name Fidelis. From the beginning, Fidelitas sought to be faithful to Cabernet Sauvignon, loyal to classic Bordeaux winemaking techniques and true to Washington State’s Columbia Valley terroir. A decade later, these principles remain with Fidelitas’ hand crafted, Bordeaux-styled wines.
 

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No man can do it by himself, even Charlie.  See a few of the people who help make it all happen: Charlie's Team