Ste. Michelle moves harvest production for 14 Hands

Following news that Washington’s biggest wine group has cut its grape grower contracts by 40%, Château Ste. Michelle will cease production at its Prosser winery this harvest.

Washington grape growers are still reeling from the news that the US state’s largest wine group is slashing the volume of grapes it will buy this year by almost half.

Château Ste. Michelle says the move is imperative for the survival of its business, as well as for the wider Washington wine industry, as decreased demand from younger consumers coupled with rising costs and an oversupply of wine is putting strains on the state’s winemakers.

Now the company has confirmed it is moving production for its 14 Hands wine brand away from its Prosser winery for the 2023 harvest. With fewer grapes to process, the move will ensure that only one production site is used, rather than two.

“This harvest our 14 Hands winemaking teams will be producing 14 Hands wines at our heritage Columbia Crest winery … as we look to make the best use of our winemaking facilities,” Lynda Eller, director of communications, Chateau Ste. Michelle, told the Tri-City Herald.

“Our 14 Hands winery tasting room will remain open to welcome our customers and wine club members,” she said.

Prosser’s mayor Randy Taylor said it makes sense for crush activity to be consolidated as there will not be as many grapes to process, and stressed that it wouldn’t have a big economic impact on the town, nor on jobs at the winery.

The tasting room is a steady source of revenue for the brand, with guests paying US$20-$40 per person for a tasting. It is also the only place (other than via the brand’s website) where 14 Hands ‘The Reserve’ collection of wines can be purchased.

Made using the best quality grapes from vineyards in Washington’s Horse Heaven Hills AVA, these small batch wines are described as having “uninhibited fruit-forward flavour profiles and subtle layers of complexity.”

The 14 Hands label produces wines predominantly for the on-trade, and is prevalent in restaurants across Washington. According to Ste. Michelle 14 Hands is the state’s “second largest premium wine brand”.

Also sitting within the 14 Hands portfolio is an ‘Essentials’ range, comprising a Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, rosé, red blend, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot for US$15 per bottle.

The brand’s sparkling wine collection, named Unicorn, is a blend of fizz made from Chardonnay, Riesling, Viognier and Muscat Canelli varieties.

There is also a collection of 14 Hands canned wines for convenience.