The Red Mountain AVA in Yakima Valley, Washington is typically known for its cabernet sauvignon and other Bordeaux varieties. Where you find world class cabernet sauvignon, you’re likely to find equally refined sauvignon blanc. I recently sat in on a virtual tasting with Robert Larsen and Rusty Eddy of Wine and Spirits Spoken Here to learn about wines being produced by the Aquilini family in this small region.

They have a variety of lines, at a variety of price points. One line is called Roaming Dog Wine which features screwtop, approachable wines from the Columbia Valley. The cab boasted of black raspberries and gentle tannins. Surprisingly easy drinking for the variety which, for me, often requires food. They also have a rosé, riesling, chardonnay, and a red blend. The line supports the ASPCA and we were all sent T-shirts to wear during the chat to highlight the cause.

While the wines were delayed due to unsafe shipping conditions (aka brutal heat) they arrived in time for Father’s Day.  The namesake 2019 Aquilini Sauvignon blanc made it in time for me to pair with Father’s Day dinner. I hear it paired perfectly with the lobster rolls my husband requested after a weekend of brutally hot baseball. (No shellfish for me after second pregnancy so I have to take his word on this.)

Red Mountain AVA is a region that was formed with sand and salt soil from glacial deposits in the far corner of the Yakima Valley. The 2019 Aquilani Sauvignon Blanc was barrel fermented for six months in 65% new French oak. Nuanced, the citrus and stone fruits are balanced, the acidity tempered with time in oak. This wine from their flagship line is a unique, elegant take on Sauvignon Blanc. Highly recommend.

***The lobster rolls were simply prepared. The lobster grilled, chopped, and tossed in vegan Mayo, lemon juice, fresh thyme. Grilled brioche rolls and some homemade slaw. I hear they were delicious.

Sidenote- yes, I have been quiet on here. Yes, that is likely to continue. I found myself writing a long instagram post which I thought could be easily converted to breathe a little life over on the blog. While I miss writing, my mind is quite occupied these days with reading/dyslexia trainings, being a baseball mom, and a new venture at the coast, parenting “at both ends” and my creative juices are parched. Hopefully, that changes, but for now, the blog will be on a very sparse and sporadic schedule.