Washington's premier Cabernet Sauvignon producer Quilceda Creek has acquired a 17 acre vineyard on Red Mountain from the Duckhorn portfolio.

The purchase price for the vineyard was not disclosed.

The site, which sits between 970 and 1,100 feet above sea level, notably features silty loam soils. It was planted in 2014 by renowned vineyard manager Dick Boushey, is primarily planted with Cabernet Sauvignon and a few acres of Merlot.

The rockier upper portion of the vineyard is ideal for growing Cabernet Sauvignon, while Merlot is planted in the lower section where the soil retains more water.

The newly acquired parcel is located near Antinori's Col Solare vineyard and is less than a mile from Quilceda Creek's own 17-acre Galitzine vineyard. The Galitzine vineyard's grapes are used to produce a single-vineyard wine for the winery.

According to Duckhorn spokesperson Belinda Weber, the grapes from this site were previously used in Canvasback's Grand Passage and other Cabernet wines. The brand announced in May that it was discontinuing the Canvasback program to focus on its other premium brands.

Quilceda Creek was founded in 1979 by Alex Golitzin. With encouragement from his uncle (the famed André Tchelistcheff), Golitzin quickly established the winery as a leading Cabernet Sauvignon producer in Washington. His son, Paul Golitzin, took over winemaking in 1993 and continues to refine their flagship wine. The winery currently produces around 12,000 cases annually.

On the other hand, Duckhorn Portfolio was established in Napa Valley in 1976 by Dan and Margaret Duckhorn. In 2024, the company was acquired by the Los Angeles-based private equity firm Butterfly for just under $2 billion, and continues to produce is approximately 2.7 million cases annually.

Kanpai!

88 Bamboo Editorial Team