Col Solare

Col Solare translates from Italian as 'shining hill,' reflecting both the Tuscan heritage of Marchesi Antinori and the exceptional sun exposure of Red Mountain. The project's origins trace to 1992, when Marchese Piero Antinori visited Washington's Columbia Valley at the invitation of Andre Tchelistcheff, the legendary Russian-born winemaker then consulting for Ste. Michelle Wine Estates. Antinori recognized the region's potential and entered an equal partnership with Ste. Michelle, launching the inaugural 1995 vintage. The estate vineyard was planted and the dedicated winery was built on Red Mountain in 2006, opening in 2007. In June 2024, Marchesi Antinori announced it would acquire full ownership from Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, ending a nearly 30-year partnership and cementing the Antinori family's long-term commitment to Red Mountain.

• Italian name 'Col Solare' means 'shining hill,' referencing Red Mountain's exceptional southwest-facing sun exposure
• Piero Antinori first visited Washington's Columbia Valley in 1992, prompted by Andre Tchelistcheff's recommendation while consulting for Ste. Michelle
• Inaugural 1995 vintage launched the 50-50 joint venture between Ste. Michelle and Marchesi Antinori
• Marchesi Antinori announced full ownership acquisition in June 2024, reinforcing commitment to Red Mountain terroir

Col Solare elevated Washington State's international credibility by demonstrating the state could produce Bordeaux-style blends worthy of serious critical attention and premium market positioning. The partnership was the first major collaboration between a leading Washington producer and a prestigious Italian wine family, helping establish Red Mountain as a world-class appellation. Antinori's 2024 acquisition of full ownership signals continued confidence in Red Mountain, adding Col Solare to a portfolio that now includes Stag's Leap Wine Cellars in Napa Valley. The winery's sustained success over three decades has influenced how sommeliers and collectors globally perceive Washington red wines.

• First major Old World-New World collaboration in Washington State, benchmarking quality for Cabernet Sauvignon in the region
• Antinori family now fully owns both Col Solare on Red Mountain and Stag's Leap Wine Cellars in Napa Valley, two former Ste. Michelle partnerships
• The partnership helped establish Red Mountain as Washington's most prestigious Cabernet Sauvignon appellation
• Winery produces a small-scale, ultra-premium range of approximately 5,000-6,000 cases annually across all labels

Col Solare's winery was custom-designed as a gravity-flow facility, allowing all racking and movement of wine without pumps. Hand-harvested grapes are fermented separately in stainless steel tanks with inoculated yeasts; fining is rarely performed, and only a coarse filtration is used before bottling. The flagship Cabernet Sauvignon blend spends 22 months in oak. The premium 'Tenuta' bottling, launched in 2016, is made from the best blocks of each vintage with partial barrel fermentation, and is limited to just 7 barrels (175 cases) per year. Winemaker Stephanie Cohen collaborates closely with Renzo Cotarella, CEO and chief enologist of Marchesi Antinori, who visits the winery regularly each vintage. The resulting wines balance the fruit richness of Red Mountain with Italian restraint and elegance.

• Gravity-flow winery design; hand-harvested fruit fermented separately in steel tanks; minimal fining or filtration before bottling
• Flagship blend aged 22 months in oak; blend composition is vintage-dependent but typically around 85% Cabernet Sauvignon
• Estate vineyard includes five Cabernet Sauvignon clones plus Merlot, Carmenere, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, and Syrah
• Premium 'Tenuta' bottling launched 2016, limited to 7 barrels annually, with partial barrel fermentation for added complexity

Col Solare's portfolio has grown carefully from its origins as a single-wine project. The main label flagship Cabernet Sauvignon blend has been produced since the inaugural 1995 vintage. Estate fruit was first incorporated into the blend starting with the 2009 harvest, and the Red Mountain AVA designation first appeared on the 2011 vintage, reflecting the winery's shift toward full estate and AVA-focused fruit. The premium 'Tenuta' bottling was launched with the 2016 vintage, representing the finest blocks of each year. Smaller-production 'Collector Series' and 'Component Series' wines are offered to mailing-list members. The 'Shining Hill' label serves as a second-tier line. Stephanie Cohen's appointment as head winemaker in 2022 introduced a new era of precision and elegance.

• 1995: inaugural vintage launched the Col Solare project as a joint venture flagship
• 2009: estate fruit first incorporated into the flagship blend; 2011 vintage first to carry Red Mountain AVA designation
• 2016: 'Tenuta' premium bottling launched, limited to 7 barrels per vintage from the best blocks
• 2022: Stephanie Cohen promoted to head winemaker, bringing a new chapter in precision winemaking guided by the Antinori family vision

Red Mountain AVA's unique terroir provides ideal conditions for premium Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux varieties. At 4,040 acres, it is Washington's smallest and warmest appellation, formally designated in 2001. Average annual rainfall is approximately five to seven inches, and vineyards rely on irrigation. Daytime growing season temperatures average around 90 degrees Fahrenheit, while nighttime temperatures can drop by as much as 40 degrees, preserving acidity and allowing for extended hang time. The soils are predominantly sandy loam and gravel with high alkalinity and calcium carbonate content, limiting vine vigor and producing smaller berries with concentrated flavors and color. The classic southwest-facing slope maximizes sun exposure, with prevailing winds keeping clusters small and adding to phenolic ripeness.

• Red Mountain = Washington's smallest AVA at 4,040 acres, formally designated June 11, 2001; warmest and driest appellation in the state
• Annual rainfall approximately 5-7 inches; vineyards entirely dependent on irrigation from the Yakima River and deep wells
• Sandy loam and gravel soils with high calcium carbonate content and alkalinity limit vine vigor; berries can be up to 60% smaller than Columbia Valley norms
• Diurnal temperature swings of up to 40 degrees Fahrenheit preserve acidity while daytime warmth achieves full phenolic ripeness in Cabernet Sauvignon

Marchesi Antinori's acquisition of full ownership of Col Solare in 2024 closes a nearly 30-year chapter of partnership with Ste. Michelle Wine Estates and positions Col Solare firmly within the Antinori family's international portfolio of fine wine estates. The Antinori family has been making wine for over 635 years across 26 generations; today the family business is led by Albiera Antinori as president, with close involvement from sisters Allegra and Alessia. Head winemaker Stephanie Cohen, who joined Col Solare in 2020 and was promoted in 2022, continues to collaborate with Renzo Cotarella, Antinori's CEO and chief enologist. The winery remains committed to showcasing Red Mountain terroir at an ultra-premium level, producing a small, focused portfolio of estate-driven wines designed for significant cellaring.

• Marchesi Antinori traces its winemaking history back over 635 years across 26 generations; Albiera Antinori serves as family president
• Antinori's US portfolio now includes Col Solare on Red Mountain and Stag's Leap Wine Cellars in Napa Valley, both formerly co-owned with Ste. Michelle
• Stephanie Cohen joined Col Solare in 2020 and was promoted to head winemaker in 2022, collaborating closely with Renzo Cotarella of Antinori
• Ultra-premium focus with approximately 5,000-6,000 cases annual production across all labels, prioritizing quality over volume