2000, Fidelitas wines show strongly on the side of red varietals exhibiting deep flavors exacted from educated experience, innate ability and some of the finest fruit in Washington. Hoppes has sourced grapes from the best of the best vineyards as he built his business. In 2005 he looked to begin planting his own Cabernet Sauvignon on Red Mountain. Although he will still venture off the mountain for fruit from two of the state’s top vineyards, he is focusing on building his brand based on Red Mountain and it’s unique terroir of this small AVA. In addition to Fidelitas, Hoppes is a winemaker and consultant for several other wineries. Winemaking is his business and he has mastered it. Don’t miss the opportunity to try wine mastery
if you visit Red Mountain. Bring a lunch and take advantage of the seating on the patio. It’s as close as you can get to dining in the vineyards. Fidelitas also has a tasting room in Woodinville, on the Western side of the state. We’ve touched on only handful of the wineries but there are over 15 in the Red Mountain AVA. Plan to visit as many as you can. If you happen to be flying Alaska Airlines into Washington Wine Country (Yakima, Tri-Cities and Walla Walla), be sure to look into their Taste and Tote program. The free membership eliminates tasting fees at all the wineries we’ve mentioned and more. Plus, you’ll be able to ship your first case on Alaska flights without any baggage fees. While it would be easy to spend a week simply enjoying one Red Mountain 2014 FABRIC VINE 73