DUCKHORN WINE COMPANY ACQUIRES 20-ACRE VINEYARD SITE IN WASHINGTON STATE’S ACCLAIMED RED MOUNTAIN AVA
Once planted, the vineyard will establish an estate presence for Canvasback, Duckhorn Wine Company’s new Washington State brand.
NAPA VALLEY, Calif. – December 19, 2013 – Duckhorn Wine Company has acquired a 20-acre vineyard site in Washington State’s acclaimed Red Mountain AVA. The unplanted site is located just above Col Solare, the vineyard partnership between Tuscany’s Marchesi Antinori and Washington’s Ste. Michelle Wine Estates. Once developed, the new vineyard will serve as a source of estate fruit for Canvasback, a new Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon.
“While our roots are in Napa Valley, our vision has always been the idea that certain varieties find their best expressions in particular regions,” says Duckhorn Wine Company President and CEO Alex Ryan. “Cabernet Sauvignon from Red Mountain in Washington State is one of these amazing combinations. This acquisition is a testament to how fully committed we are to Washington State and the Red Mountain AVA. Establishing our own estate vineyards is central to Canvasback’s future and consistent with our approach to Duckhorn Vineyards, Decoy, Paraduxx and Goldeneye—all of which use a combination of grapes from top growers and estate vineyards.”
Located near the top of Red Mountain, at an elevation of approximately 1,100 to 1,300 feet, the site is above the frost zone and features gently rolling slopes, an ideal southwest exposure, and Warden series sandy loam soils with a basalt layer deep enough to allow the vines to fully take root. A past “Grower of the Year” honoree by both the Washington Association of Wine Grape Growers and the Washington State Grape Society, and the current vineyard manager for Col Solare, Dick Boushey worked closely with Duckhorn to evaluate the site’s potential. “Our first day in Red Mountain, we saw this property and fell in love with it,” says COO Zach Rasmuson. “Dick confirmed our instincts that this land has the potential to become one of the best Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards on Red Mountain.”
“This parcel is without question the finest undeveloped site on the mountain,” says Boushey. On a personal note, Boushey added, “It’s exciting to see this property in the hands of such an experienced and down-to-earth team. They are all vineyard people and they believe in doing things right. Duckhorn is a great match for Washington.”
With Boushey as vineyard manager, the Duckhorn Wine Company viticultural team will begin planting in the spring of 2014, with the majority of the vineyard planted to Cabernet Sauvignon
The name Canvasback was chosen in keeping with Duckhorn’s waterfowl tradition. Canvasback ducks are native to the Pacific Flyway with breeding grounds in Washington State. The debut 2012 vintage of Canvasback will be released for national distribution in the fall of 2014 at an SRP of $40.
About Duckhorn Wine Company
Duckhorn Wine Company has helped set the standard for American fine wine for almost four decades. The Duckhorn family includes Duckhorn Vineyards, Goldeneye, Paraduxx, Migration, Decoy and Canvasback. With grapes selected from estate vineyards, as well as a variety of sought-after vineyard sites, each winery is presented with a canvas of lots from which to blend its wines. Focused on careful grape selection, innovative winemaking techniques and a premium barrel-aging program, Duckhorn Wine Company is founded on an unwavering commitment to quality. Duckhorn Wine Company wines are available throughout the United States, on five continents, and in 40 countries. For more information, visit www.duckhorn.com.
{ 0 comments… add one now }