Hedges Family Estate Origins and Brands in Brief
With their 25th vintage now in barrel, Tom and Anne-Marie Hedges
can look back with pride at their pioneering efforts to help establish the
modern Washington wine industry, and specifically their efforts in
establishing the renowned Red Mountain American Viticultural Area.
Beginning as negociants selling their first Hedges branded Columbia Valley
wine to the Swedish government, the Hedges quickly realized the
importance of site for producing great wines, and purchased a fifty-acre
parcel on the dusty southwest slope of Red Mountain, a barely known
growing region at the time. More than two decades later, their now 125 acres
of Red Mountain vineyard land is the heart of the Hedges family’s wines.
The eldest born of Tom and Anne-Marie, Christophe, is general manager
and head of international sales. Their daughter, Sarah, is the head
winemaker.
Farmers first, and winemakers second, the Hedges family believes
there is nothing more important than expressing the characteristics of
specific vineyards, of capturing Terroir. Anne-Marie grew up in
Champagne, France, and is no doubt the messenger of these beliefs, bringing
the philosophies of the old world to her new home in eastern Washington
State. For more than a decade, the Hedges have chosen not to have their
wines scored, as they believe this would hinder their pursuit of making
wines of soul and truth.
Hedges Red Mountain is the flagship of the estate. The blend is a snapshot of
the entire scope of the estate on Red Mountain, consisting of Cabernet
Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah, and lower percentages of Cab Franc and
Malbec. The Hedges vineyard was recently certified biodynamic. This wine
is a pure expression of the terroir of Red Mountain: small berries, thick
skins, arid climate, dry soil, and endless sunlight.
The DLD Syrah is an homage to both the Dupont and Liegeois sides of
Anne-Marie’s family in Champagne. This wine is dedicated to her grandfather Marcel Dupont: Chevalier du Tastevin and bon-vivant, lover of good
food and great wines. Grown on a 15-acre vineyard, named Les Gosses, this
wine displays the greatest qualities of low yield farming.
The Goedhart Syrah is Sarah’s pet project. Having cut her teeth in Sonoma
and Santa Barbara, she started this small production, unfiltered, and unfined
Syrah in the basement of her home at the top of Red Mountain. The early
and late pick blended with well integrated oak treatment offers a finessed
style with high acid and deeply cultivated flavors, and her hands off
approach translates into a wine of passion and sophistication.
The CMS line has been in production since 1987 and is a household name
amongst WA State wine enthusiasts. The CMS red is easy to love and
certainly the most well known and approachable of the offerings. The CMS
Sauvignon Blanc is blended with a bit of Chardonnay and Marsanne,
creating something unique and utterly satisfying. You will find enticing
angularity and aromatics.
House of Independent Producers Chardonnay, Merlot, and Cabernet
Sauvignon are single vineyard, smaller production wines, highlighting some
of the older plantings in the state. The Chardonnay is unoaked with no
secondary fermentation, leaning toward a Chabliseanne style. The Merlot is
simply Paris street wine: only a few months in oak and completely
unadulterated... very consumer friendly. The Cabernet brings back the Napa
of the 1970s.