Quintessence Sauvignon Blanc
⏳ Drinking Window
2021 - 2025
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
grilled halibut, goat cheese crostini, roast chicken with herbs
✨ Technical Specifications
Hailing from the sun-drenched slopes of Red Mountain, the Fidelitas Quintessence Sauvignon Blanc is a remarkable expression of a white grape thriving in an AVA famous for its powerful reds. Sourced from the esteemed Quintessence Vineyard, where intense heat is tempered by cool evening breezes cascading down the mountain, this wine showcases a unique side of Washington terroir. Winemaker Charlie Hoppes coaxes exceptional complexity from these vines, often employing a combination of stainless steel, concrete, and neutral French oak to preserve the grape's natural, vibrant acidity while building a rich, textured mouthfeel. The result is a Sauvignon Blanc that defies regional expectations, offering a brilliant marriage of ripe tropical fruit, bright citrus, and a distinct mineral backbone that reflects the basalt-rich soils of Red Mountain.
🍾 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.
🍇 Grapes
Sauvignon Blanc