Back in the spring of 2012, the Winerabblers took a trip to the Prosser area in the state of Washington. We enjoyed the lovely accommodations at the Desert Wind Winery and explored the interesting wine region there. One of our excursions took us to the nearby Red Mountain AVA (American Viticultural Area); specifically to three wineries: Fidelitas Wines, Hedges Family Estate and Hightower Cellars. We enjoyed all the wines but we felt that we had only scratched the surface of a small yet impressive wine mecca.

So we went back.

Our most recent trip was all about the Red Mountain wineries and the unique wines produced in that region. Red Mountain is the smallest and hottest Washington AVA and the calcium carbonate soil mixed with the hot growing region gives Red Mountain wines a distinctive flavor. Once you experience the pleasingly chalky mouthfeel and candied orange finish, you may be able to recognize a Red Mountain wine without looking at the label.

We had the pleasure to enjoy the hospitality and impressive wine selection of Terra Blanca Winery that have been producing distinctive Red Mountain wines for over 20 years. Owners Keith and ReNae Pilgrim, were wonderful hosts and great guides whose knowledge of the area was invaluable. Their staff was very accommodating and really couldn’t have been friendlier.

On Red Mountain, Cabernet is king and Syrah is the duke. Big reds rule the roost here, so after a lot of tasting, it was nice to find some very approachable and pleasing whites made by Terra Blanca. The Marsanne, the Sauvignon blanc and the Chardonnay were all highlights in the impressive line up (four different labels) that Terra Blanca produces. Don’t get me wrong- their reds are dynamite but after two days of drinking awesome big reds, a crisp, flavorful, well rounded white really stood out.

We revisited some previous favorites, discovered some kickass wineries, and got to meet a terrific group of talented wine makers. Red Mountain is a community in the truest sense of the word. The wine makers support and help each other and all have a common goal- for the world to learn how amazing Red Mountain is.

Let me add the Rabblers voice to that call- Red Mountain wines are awesome. 

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