By Andy Perdue Wine Press Northwest editor Red Mountain's vineyards and wineries now have the federal government's seal of approval. On Tuesday, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms declared the area near Benton City, Wash., an American Viticultural Area, or appellation.
Red Mountain is Washington's fifth appellation.
The others are the Columbia, Yakima and Walla Walla valleys and Puget Sound. Red Mountain, Yakima and Walla Walla are contained within the Columbia Valley, which stretches from around Wapato to Milton-Freewater and crosses the Columbia River into Oregon. Red Mountain is Washington's smallest appellation in total area, with about 3,600 acres, of which 600 acres are planted to vineyards. Eight wineries and three additional vineyards are in the appellation. The wineries are Hedges Cellars, Kiona Vineyards Winery, Seth Ryan Winery, Blackwood Canyon Vintners, Oakwood Cellars, Terra Blanca Vintners, Sandhill Winery and Taptiel Winery.