The Canyons Red
⏳ Drinking Window
Typically best enjoyed 5 to 12 years from the vintage release.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Grilled ribeye steak, slow-braised lamb shanks, roasted rosemary potatoes
✨ Technical Specifications
The Canyons Vineyard, nestled on the northern edge of Washington State's famed Red Mountain AVA, provides the dramatic backdrop for this exceptional red blend. Defined by its unique topography of deep, wind-swept ravines and steep slopes, this vineyard experiences intense daytime heat coupled with cool evening breezes funneled through the canyons. This extreme diurnal shift, paired with the region's characteristic sandy loam and gravelly caliche soils, coaxes out grapes of extraordinary concentration, thick skins, and vibrant acidity. Winemaker Charlie Hoppes masterfully harnesses this rugged terroir to craft a wine defined by its deep, dark fruit profile, robust yet velvety tannins, and a distinctive mineral undertone. The Canyons Red stands as a compelling testament to the power and structural elegance that Red Mountain is celebrated for globally.
🍾 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.