14 Hands Vineyards Announces Plans to Open Winery in Eastern Washington

Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, parent company to 14 Hands Vineyards, today announced its plans to open a 14 Hands winery in Prosser, Washington by fall 2013.

"The performance of 14 Hands has been nothing short of remarkable," said Ted Baseler, President and CEO of Ste. Michelle Wine Estates. "Since its initial introduction in 2005, we have watched 14 Hands evolve into a Washington powerhouse and the fastest growing wine brand to reach one million cases sold in the history of the Washington wine industry.

"We are excited to respond to consumer demand by creating a unique 14 Hands winery destination," Baseler said.

Guest amenities will feature a tasting bar, lounge and a barrel room for Reserve wine tastings. Barn wood, stone and earth tones will be used throughout the interior and exterior courtyard to reflect the winery’s location at the base of the Horse Heaven Hills appellation.

The winery announcement comes on the heels of a major brand milestone: more than one million cases of wine were shipped nationally in 2012, just seven years after 14 Hands was introduced to a limited number of restaurants. Consumer excitement subsequently drove expanded distribution, and today 14 Hands is available nationally and exported to 24 countries. It also is the No. 1 selling wine in Seattle and Portland since mid-2011. (AC Nielsen)

Market Watch magazine named 14 Hands "Wine Brand of the Year" for 2012 in recognition of its exponential growth and successful launch of new products. 14 Hands also has received four consecutive 'Hot Brand' awards from Impact magazine, two consecutive "Fast Track Brand" awards by Beverage Information Group, and a "Rising Star" award from Adams Handbook.

Last year 14 Hands introduced "The Reserve" tier of wines sourced from the Horse Heaven Hills appellation. The debut vintage of "The Reserve" Cabernet Sauvignon wine received a 93 rating from Wine Spectator magazine.

The winery’s Prosser, Washington site is the former location of Snoqualmie winery. Extensive renovations will transform the facility into an important destination along the town’s wine tourism corridor. In addition to several wineries, this area also will be the home of the Walter Clore Wine & Culinary Center which began construction in January. The "Clore" Center will be a tourism showcase for the Washington state wine industry.

The first stages of remodeling will begin in the first quarter of 2013. Completion is currently targeted for fall 2013. The architect is BCRA Design, in Seattle.

Snoqualmie's production will move to Paterson, Wash. where Winemaker Joy Anderson will continue to focus on crafting wines using sustainable and organic techniques.

About 14 Hands
14 Hands wines are inspired by the spirit of the wild horses that once roamed the arid landscape of the Horse Heaven Hills in eastern Washington. It was here that these special horses – measuring a scant "14 hands" tall – developed their legendary endurance, strength, and tenacious spirit. Like these wild horses, the vineyards struggle in the same harsh conditions of eastern Washington. It is their ability to thrive in this environment that produces the world-class quality fruit that goes into each bottle of 14 Hands. Learn more at 14hands.com.

About Ste. Michelle Wine Estates
Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, located in Woodinville, Washington, has a long and distinguished history that dates back to 1934. Wines under the Ste. Michelle label were first introduced in 1967, and since that time the company has expanded its winery and vineyard holdings to more than 3,700 acres in Washington, Oregon and California. The company is also the exclusive U.S. importer for acclaimed wine portfolios produced in Italy, France and New Zealand.

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For further information:
Erin Shane
425/415.3696
erin.shane@smwe.com