Fidelitas Wines

The Grand Reveal of the Fidelitas Library

This winter we started a big and exciting project that Charlie had always envisioned for Fidelitas. We dug deep in the archives and pulled pallets worth of wine from our offsite storage facility to find the rarest Fidelitas wines in existence. Last Friday, May 5th, as we celebrated our 10th annual Feast of St. Fidelis on Red Mountain we were able to unveil the grand addition to our home on Red Mountain, the Fidelitas Library.

The Fidelitas Library, located in what was once our barrel display room, houses a new version of our iconic wine wall spanning over 18 feet wide and 12 feet tall, it holds 1,260 bottles. Wines dating back to our very first release of 2000 Meritage cover the wall and include some of our most sought after vintages and limited release wines.

Here’s what Charlie has to say about some of his favorite vintages to date:

1994 - I worked at Chateau Ste. Michelle at the time and we were really starting to figure things out in our new facility at Canoe Ridge. First vintage of Col Solare made with the Antinori's.

1999 - Very interesting vintage in that everything seemed to get ripe but also retained incredibly high acids.  Very old world with high natural acids.

2005 - Right now for me the best wines we have made for Fidelitas since we started and the best vintage I have been affiliated in Washington since my first vintage in 1988.

2007 - Beautiful wines with incredible balance.  Maybe not quite the same ripeness as 2009 but close. 

2009 - Wonderful wines that have great potential for aging.  Warm vintage and very ripe fruit.

2010 - A very nice vintage, and very much like the 1999 vintage from Washington.

2013 – A great, great vintage.

Other Great Ones - 2001, 1995 & 1989.

Best Vintage That I Tasted But Did Not Make: 1983.  Considered by many as one of the greatest vintages ever from Washington. Had the opportunity to taste a vertical of all Woodward Canyon Cab Sauv/Old Vines in or around 2000.  The 1983 Cabernet Sauvignon from Woodward Canyon stood high above the rest.

Finally, after years of aging, these wines are available for your enjoyment. In an effort to manage these limited wines the best way possible, wine requests may be submitted and we will follow up with you to confirm the availability. All requests will be managed on a first come, first serve basis, and have a 2 week fulfillment turn around.

Ready to get your hands on some of those special bottles from years past? Email us at wine@fidelitaswines.com for more information. 

 

Building the Red Mountain Tasting Room

Upon entering the Red Mountain Tasting room your eye is immediately drawn to two things, the view and the wine wall. Many visitors have asked us over the years, “how long have you been here? The building looks so new.” As we celebrate our Red Mountain Tasting Room turning 10 years old this month I sat down with Charlie and asked him a few questions about the design and planning that went into creating the layout of the tasting room. 

The vision of the tasting room

 “The tasting room looks exactly how we designed it. We have a contemporary label and we wanted it to translate into the design of the tasting room.” There were two guys involved in the original design, Joe Farmer and John Hoke. The two of them worked for several months on the design of the building and everything you see here, the finished product “was by design.” 

Unique components that changed over the years

The tasting room was never meant to be a functional production facility; however, we did store barrels in what is now The Fidelitas Library. The barrels were stacked and gave visitors a chance to see what a production facility might be like. This was the largest change we made as of recently, the barrels were removed from the tasting room several years ago and we now have The Fidelitas Library in its place. The room itself wasn’t functional before and now we are able to share our not only our brand but the history of Fidelitas with every visitor. It gives us the opportunity to look back at how far our brand has come since its first vintage in 2000.

Unique concepts that went into the design and construction

Bryan Alford tells a story of sitting out on the patio and studying the sunset from different angles, how did that play a role on the design. “He did, and we ended up changing the angle. If you can imagine how low the vineyard line is, that’s how low the tasting room would have been. We decided to bring in additional dirt and elevate the structure giving us a view that looks down at our Fidelitas Estate Vineyard. 

Future dreams and concepts for the next 10 years

The patio is our next big project over the next few years. If you’ve ever experienced summer on Red Mountain, the largest concern is the heat. “We would try and do something with the patio to create more shading. It’s just too hot and with the winds it’s challenging. It’s something we are still open to doing. As far as what we wanted, this was it. It’s still relevant and reflects our label and who we are.

“I’ve visited many tasting rooms over the years and admired their designs but at the end of the day, this is our home. It’s comfortable and is a true reflection of our brand and who we are.”-Charlie

10 years Ago this Spring

A lot can happen in 10 years.  In 2007, I was just starting to date my now husband, exploring a transition from education to the wine industry, and paying $800 rent for a condo with a water view…in Seattle (I don’t want to even think about what that place goes for now).  Since then, I started with Fidelitas, got engaged, bought a house, got married, had a kid, expanded my role with Fidelitas, and have accomplished a million things I wouldn’t have thought possible 10 years ago.

10 years ago this spring, Fidelitas was also on the brink of something new.  The doors were about to open at our new home on Red Mountain.  Prior to this, Charlie’s family-owned winery had spent its first six years relying on tasting tables in the back of other tasting rooms and home deliveries by Charlie himself.  I’ve heard countless stories of Charlie hauling a case of wine on his shoulder to this house or that, or people finding our wines in the “Sandhill days”.  To have his own tasting room open, fulfilling a decades old dream, must have meant so much.

It took a lot of hard work to get the Red Mountain tasting room to open, and a bunch more to keep us open for the past 10 years.  It’s beyond Charlie, beyond me, and our staff, and our families.  We’ve had support from growers, fellow winemakers, neighbors, Club members, and extended friends and family that we maybe didn’t even know we had.

Over the next several weeks, we’ll be sharing our stories on how we came to be on Red Mountain, what we’ve learned in the past 10 years, and our vision for the years that lie ahead. 

Perfect Easter Wines!

Crazy to think that Easter is right around the corner. Let’s hope the sun is shining because it’s a great day to spend with family, relax, and sip on something delicious. Our family likes to keep things a little more low key but you can guarantee that we will be sipping on some of our Fidelitas favorites. Let’s look at our inventory and see what would pair well with most dishes…

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2016 Quintessence Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc - NEW RELEASE

A great wine to start the day off with and sip on its own, or pair with a nice salad! My Italian sister-in-law will be making her famous “Easter Pie” and this will be right by it’s side.

2014 Canyons Vineyard Red Wine - NEW CLUB ONLY RELEASE

A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, and Merlot. I tasted this the other day and it was smooth, fruit forward, and friendly! Ideal for any meat option you might be making on Sunday.

2013 Ciel du Cheval Cabernet Sauvignon

A heavier style Cabernet that would add just the right touch to those bigger dishes. Plus it’s a Cabernet from Red Mountain…need I say more?

2014 Optu Red Mountain Blend 

Another must have at any holiday gathering! A big Bordeaux style blend will perfect any dish in my opinion.

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Everyone at Fidelitas hopes you have a safe and wonderful Easter! Please note that both tasting rooms will be closed so that we can spend time with our families. 

Happy Birthday Red Mountain

Red Mountain is officially old enough to drive a car. That’s right, 16 years ago today Red Mountain set itself apart and became its own AVA. An American Viticultural Area is a designated wine grape-growing region in the United States distinguishable by geographic features, with boundaries defined by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) of the United States Department of the Treasury. Want to know what makes Red Mountain unique? Check out this post or visit the Red Mountain AVA site.

Originally founded in 1972, Red Mountain had previously been a part of Yakima Valley AVA. To this day Washington state has 14 AVA’s with the oldest established in 1983, although vines were planted long before that.

Yakima Valley – 1983

Columbia Valley – 1984

Walla Walla Valley – 1984

Puget Sound – 1995

Red Mountain – 2001

Columbia Gorge – 2004

Horse Heave Hills – 2005

Wahluke Slope – 2005

Rattlesnake Mountain – 2006

Lake Chelan – 2009

Snipes Mountain – 2009

Ancient Lakes – 2012

Naches Heights – 2012

Lewis and Clark – 2016

We might be the smallest region on the map but Red Mountain is making history with the premium quality grapes planted right here in the region we call home.

HBD Red Mountain!

Release of The Canyons

Last year we released the first vintage of The Canyons Red Wine. A fun blend of Cabernet + Malbec. What could be better than two of our favorite varietals in one bottle? The Canyons Vineyard is newer to the Fidelitas lineup. The name comes from the deeper ravines and the canyons that go right through the vineyard’s blocks. Something that contributes to the delicious taste in this wine! 

Charlie decided to take it one step further with the 2014 and included another varietal into the mix…Merlot! This vintage consists of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Malbec, and 14% Merlot. The trio turned into a fruit forward and rich masterpiece. If you are looking for the perfect red to pair with your summer BBQ’s + outdoor picnics, this is your bottle.

The 2014 Canyons Red Wine is getting released to the Wine Club on Friday, April 14th. Want to add a couple more bottles? Just reach out and we would be happy to help!

What makes Red Mountain Unique?

Fidelitas is all in on Red Mountain.  We are dedicated to producing the highest quality, Bordeaux-styled wines from the smallest growing region in Washington state.

Why the specific focus?  While we know that exceptional wines can come from every region in Washington, we also know that there are certain geographical features about Red Mountain that make it truly one of the best growing regions in the world:

A SOUTHWESTERN FACING SLOPE

The southwest slope of the Red Mountain AVA provides the vineyards in the region with a directional aspect to the sun that is ideal for prolonged sunlight exposure and warmth. These highly desirable conditions allow for a ripeness in tannins that is recognized as a primary characteristic of Red Mountain fruit.

 

WARM SUMMERS AND WINTERS

Red Mountain experiences more growing degree days than any other region in the state. The high latitude (N 46*) and topography contribute temperature swings experienced during the growing season, with daytime temperatures averaging 90 °F and night time temperatures dropping below 50 °F. These heat accumulation days create ideal temperatures for highly marketable grapes, exhibiting ripeness and concentration. The cooler evenings help to retain acidity levels which allows for the exceptional balance and structure found in Red Mountain grapes, and the wines crafted from them.

 

LOW RAINFALL

Red Mountain gathers less than 8 inches of rain per year, requiring irrigation in the vineyards. The use of drip irrigation provides ideal grape growing conditions through canopy management. Additionally, Red Mountain vines experience dramatically lower mold and mildew pressure compared to most other vineyard regions.

 

SMALLEST AVA IN WASHINGTON STATE

Red Mountain is the smallest recognized American Viticultural Area in Washington State, with 4040 acres. Of that,  about 2700 acres have been determined plantable, and only 1700 is currently under vine. Red Mountain is defined by natural borders, with the ridge of the mountain to the north and the Yakima River to the west. Red Mountain resembles a growing region more like the Old World, where one can see each block of each vineyard from a single vantage point.

 

AVA SPECIFIC SOILS

The predominate soils of Red Mountain are not found anywhere else in the state.  Wind blown Loess (Warden, Hezel, and Scooteney) were brought in by pre-historic floods. The high alkalinity and calcium carbonate content of the soil, along with its granular consistency, allows for each vine to form a well-established root system. In soils with this composition, root systems are able to reach deep to obtain the necessary nutrients and moisture.

 

CONSISTENT WINDS

The prevailing winds come out of the Southwest and are notable for their frequency and velocity. The regular gusts of warm air flow through the AVA’s vineyards during the growing season, keeping the grape clusters small and concentrating the flavors of the fruit - which contributes to their richness and intensity.

March Madness Selections

While every sports fan is making their bracket selections for March Madness, I realized I have never created a bracket. As I’m not the biggest basketball fan, (I know…tall girl who doesn’t like basketball is shocking) I decided to complete my first bracket, with wine selections.

That’s right! I compiled a list of my all-time favorite Fidelitas Wines and put them to the test. This was quite the challenge, for those of you who have asked me what my favorite wine is, you know I don’t usually pick favorites. I typically end up naming every wine we have in our lineup. For me, a physical challenge that pushed me to my wine limits.

For those of you who do follow March Madness, go ahead and use my bracket to pair each round with a new favorite! 

 

Why Red Mountain Cabernet is My Trusty Go To

1. Who doesn’t love Cabernet from Red Mountain? With so many great Cabs coming out of the Red Mountain AVA it can sometimes be overwhelming to know what to grab at a moments notice without digging into research behind the bottle. Our Red Mountain Cabernet gives it to you straight: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, 100% Clone 8 (the Washington clone!), 100% Sourced from Red Mountain Vineyards.
2. It’s the perfect glass pour. I remember a fond memory of last September when we released this wine. I took one home the night we released it because I just wanted one glass before bed…this easy drinker had me through most of a bottle before I even realized it! There’s an excellent balance in the silky and rounded tannins, plus  the oak on it (35% New French Oak, 26% New American Oak) is just right.
3. It’s great to take to parties…or give to friends, family, strangers who do a kind deed for you. Whoever may be on the receiving end will probably fall in love with this wine. It can be hard to pick out wine for somebody else! From our experience sharing this wine (which is quite a bit) we haven’t found a skeptic around who didn’t enjoy this bottle.
4. The price is right! A 100% Cabernet sourced from top vineyards including Quintessence, Fidelitas Estate, The Canyons, and Red Heaven is typically going to veer toward the higher end of the price spectrum. This Cab is priced for consumers to be able to enjoy a premium Cabernet on a regular basis…plus we sweetened the pot by offering it at an even lower price for the month of March! 

MARCH PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

2013 Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon

Regularly $50 - now $45 through March 31

shipping including on purchases of 6 or more bottles 

Who's Ready for Club Release?

It’s our first club release of the year and we can’t wait to share this perfect duo with you. We hope that you will be able to visit Team Fidelitas this weekend, February 24th-26th. Both locations will have special treats to go along with our featured flight! 

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Red Mountain

Saturday, February 25th 11-4pm

RSVP: chelsea@fidelitaswines.com

Woodinville

February 24th 3-7pm Members only

February 25th + 26th 11-5pm Members only

RSVP: amy@fidelitaswines.com

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Club Members will be receiving the new 2014 Optu Red Mountain + 2014 Red Mountain Merlot, both will be poured this weekend. Want to up your club shipment? Don’t worry, we will be featuring some other great fan favorites! 

Not a member yet? Join now to get in on this years first release from Red Mountain!