Force Majeure Vineyards

Paul and Susan McBride launched their wine venture in 2004 under the name Grand Reve Vintners, partnering with vineyard manager Ryan Johnson, who at the time was farming some of the best blocks in the celebrated Ciel du Cheval vineyard on Red Mountain. The initial concept was the Collaboration Series: seven of Washington State's leading winemakers each received fruit from the same vineyard blocks to create their own distinct interpretation. This innovative approach ran from the 2004 through 2013 vintages. A trademark dispute in 2011 necessitated a name change, and the McBrides chose Force Majeure, a term that captures both the irresistible geological forces that shaped Red Mountain's terroir and the unstoppable passion driving the project. In June 2014, the Collaboration Series was retired as the focus shifted entirely to estate-grown wines. The winery built a dedicated production facility and tasting salon in the Walla Walla Valley, where visitors can taste by appointment.

• Founded in 2004 as Grand Reve Vintners by Paul and Susan McBride with vineyard manager Ryan Johnson
• The Collaboration Series (2004 to 2013 vintages) featured seven top Washington winemakers interpreting the same Ciel du Cheval fruit
• Rebranded as Force Majeure in 2011 after a trademark dispute
• Transitioned to fully estate-grown winemaking in 2014 with a new facility and tasting salon in Walla Walla

The Force Majeure estate vineyard on Red Mountain is one of Washington's most distinctive vineyard sites. Purchased in 2004 and developed starting in 2006, it was the first steep-slope hillside vineyard in the Red Mountain AVA, with elevations ranging from 960 to 1,230 feet. The vineyard encompasses approximately 20 acres divided into numerous micro-blocks, each carefully matched to one of eight distinct soil types. These soils were formed by the ancient Missoula Floods, volcanic activity from the Cascade Range, and aeolian (wind-blown) deposits. The rocky upper slopes with shallow soils are planted to Syrah and Grenache, while the deeper, well-drained Warden soils on lower blocks are suited to Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. The entire vineyard is farmed by hand due to the steep terrain. Ryan Johnson, who initially helped select and develop the site, returned in 2024 to manage the estate vineyard.

• First steep-slope hillside vineyard on Red Mountain, developed starting in 2006
• Elevation ranges from 960 to 1,230 feet across approximately 20 acres
• Eight distinct soil types from Missoula Flood deposits, volcanic material, and wind-blown loess
• Rocky upper slopes planted to Syrah and Grenache; deeper Warden soils on lower blocks for Bordeaux varieties
• Entirely hand-farmed due to steep terrain; Ryan Johnson returned to manage the vineyard in 2024

In 2018, Force Majeure expanded beyond Red Mountain with the acquisition of two vineyard sites in the Walla Walla Valley on the Oregon side of the appellation. One of these parcels lies within The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater AVA, a distinctive sub-appellation defined by its deep cobblestone soils deposited by the ancient Walla Walla River. These fist-sized basalt cobbles absorb heat during the day and radiate it back to the vines at night, producing wines with notable concentration and a distinctive stony minerality. The Walla Walla vineyards complement the Red Mountain estate by offering a different expression of the same varieties, allowing the winemaking team to explore how site and soil shape Syrah, Grenache, and other Rhone varieties across two of Washington's most prestigious growing areas.

• Two vineyard sites acquired in 2018 in the Walla Walla Valley on the Oregon side
• One parcel located within The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater AVA
• The Rocks District is defined by deep basalt cobblestone soils deposited by the Walla Walla River
• Walla Walla sites provide contrasting terroir expressions alongside the Red Mountain estate

Todd Alexander joined Force Majeure as winemaker in 2014, bringing experience from Bryant Family Vineyard in Napa Valley. Under Alexander's tenure, the wines gained national and international recognition for their precision and terroir expression, with consistently high scores from publications including the International Wine Report. Alexander oversaw the transition from the Collaboration Series to fully estate-driven production, the move to Walla Walla, and the expansion of the vineyard program. In March 2025, Louis Skinner was named estate winemaker, succeeding Alexander. Skinner previously worked at Betz Family Winery and DeLille Cellars, giving him deep familiarity with Washington terroir and Bordeaux and Rhone varieties. The winemaking approach emphasizes minimal intervention, allowing the distinct character of each micro-block and soil type to express itself in the finished wines.

• Todd Alexander served as winemaker from 2014 to 2025, previously at Bryant Family Vineyard in Napa Valley
• Louis Skinner named estate winemaker in March 2025, formerly of Betz Family Winery and DeLille Cellars
• Minimal-intervention approach focused on site-specific expression from individual micro-blocks
• Wines have received consistent critical acclaim from the International Wine Report and other publications

The Force Majeure portfolio is organized into two tiers: the Estate wines and the Parabellum series. The Estate wines represent the top expressions from both Red Mountain and The Rocks District vineyards, including single-varietal bottlings of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, and Grenache. Epinette is a Right Bank Bordeaux-inspired blend anchored by Merlot and Cabernet Franc with smaller proportions of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot, named after an avenue in Libourne that leads to Pomerol and Saint-Émilion. Parvata is a Mourvedre-dominant Rhone blend. The Parabellum series, sourced from the estate vineyards on Red Mountain and in the Walla Walla Valley, is crafted to be more approachable in youth while still reflecting site and varietal character. Parabellum wines include Alluvio (a Bordeaux-style blend) and Coulee (a Rhone-style blend).

• Estate tier features top single-varietal wines: Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, and Grenache
• Epinette is a Right Bank Bordeaux-inspired blend of Merlot and Cabernet Franc, named for an avenue in Libourne near Pomerol
• Parvata is a Mourvedre-dominant Rhone varietal blend from estate fruit
• Parabellum series offers more approachable wines including Alluvio (Bordeaux blend) and Coulee (Rhone blend)
• All wines are sourced exclusively from estate vineyards on Red Mountain and in the Walla Walla Valley