Eight Red
⏳ Drinking Window
Typically best enjoyed 5–12 years from vintage release, allowing the robust tannins to soften and integrate.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Grilled ribeye steak, roasted rosemary lamb chops, slow-braised beef short ribs
✨ Technical Specifications
Crafted by the skilled hand of winemaker Charlie Hoppes, the Eight Red from Fidelitas is a masterful expression of the rugged and highly acclaimed Red Mountain AVA in Washington State. The name 'Eight' celebrates a milestone in the winery's journey, representing the culmination of years spent studying the unique microclimates of this sun-drenched appellation. Sourced from premier vineyard sites shaped by the cataclysmic prehistoric Missoula Floods, the vines struggle in sandy loam soils and endure fierce winds, producing small, thick-skinned berries with concentrated flavors. This red blend is meticulously aged in premium French oak, capturing the intense dark fruit character, powerful structural tannins, and remarkable minerality that define the very best of Red Mountain's terroir.
🍾 About the Producer
Fidélitas was founded in 2000 by veteran Washington winemaker Charlie Hoppes, formerly the head red winemaker at Chateau Ste. Michelle. Joined by his son Will Hoppes, the winery embodies an unyielding dedication to Bordeaux grape varieties cultivated exclusively within Washington State's prestigious Red Mountain AVA. Situated on warm, southwest-facing slopes, the region's intense sunlight, fierce winds, poor gravelly loam soils, and profound diurnal temperature fluctuations foster thick-skinned berries with formidable concentration and natural acidity. The estate vineyard, first planted in 2008 and farmed sustainably with Sustainable WA certification, is complemented by premier fruit partnerships with iconic sites such as Ciel du Cheval and Quintessence. Winemaking employs micro-lot fermentations in oak and neutral barrels, yielding structured, deeply expressive wines. The estate's benchmark portfolio is anchored by the flagship Optu Red and Optu White blends, vineyard-designated Cabernet Sauvignons, and varietal Malbecs.