

Winemaker Notes





This unique and beautiful landscape that gave these unbridled horses their spirit and tenacity now feeds our vines. With loamy-sand and gravel soils, these hills require a strong and determined grapevine, and our 14 Hands vines revel in this unique and world class terroir. With the fruit from these tenacious vines, 14 Hands wines are handcrafted into big, bold, juicy fruit forward reds and crisp, fruit forward white wines that are laced with the unbridled spirit and legend of the region.
14 Hands celebrates the spirit of these wild horses, and the rich and unique history of Washington wines not only in our wines, but also in the vibrant colors and images on our popular varietal labels and our new Hot to Trot red and white blend wines. Whether you enjoy 14 Hands by the glass in your favorite restaurant, or share a bottle with family or friends, our wines are the quintessential Washington wine experience – fruit-forward, easily enjoyable with any meal or on any occasion, and delivering a superb value for the price. Bringing this bottle of wine to the party is more than bringing just a wine – it’s a delicious wine with a unique story that’s sure to spark up a memorable conversation.

As Washington’s leading grape variety, Cabernet Sauvignon covers more vineyard acreage than any other variety in the state and continues to attract well-deserved notoriety and praise from critics and consumers alike. This popular variety finds a natural home in Washington’s eastern side, where an arid, continental climate and diverse soils of sandy loess and basalt give Cabernet its distinctly intense, Washington character. Concentrated in black currant, black cherry, forest floor and cocoa qualities, Washington’s best Cabernet Sauvignons have a bold richness, seamless texture and great longevity.
Cabernet leads the way in Washington’s Walla Walla, home to some of the state’s oldest wineries. Along the Columbia River Gorge, Horse Heaven Hills remains the source of some of Washington’s highest desired Cabernet Sauvignons. Yakima Valley, on the northern border of Horse Heaven Hills, includes Washington’s oldest Cabernet Sauvignon vines while the Wahluke Slope has one of the hottest and driest climates where strong summer winds blow, ensuring both smaller leaf size and grape clusters. The result is top quality wines with great concentration, phenolic ripeness and body.