Col Solare

Col Solare ('Shining Hill' in Italian) is the collaboration between Marchesi Antinori (Tuscany's most important wine family) and Ste. Michelle Wine Estates (Columbia Crest) — a partnership established in 1995 that combines Italian winemaking philosophy with Red Mountain's extraordinary Cabernet Sauvignon terroir. The estate's custom winery on Red Mountain opened in 2006, with vineyards on the Mountain's south-facing slopes of ancient Missoula Flood silt loam over caliche. Chief winemaker Marcus Notaro, guided by Antinori's Renzo Cotarella, produces a Cabernet-based blend that reflects both the Antinori philosophy of elegance and Red Mountain's concentrated power — the result is Washington's most European-influenced Cabernet expression.

Col Solare is cited by Wine Advocate (Paul Gregutt), Wine Spectator, and Decanter as one of Washington State's most important red wine producers — the Antinori connection bringing international credibility to Red Mountain's emerging reputation. Scoring 93-97 from top critics, Col Solare demonstrates that Red Mountain can produce Cabernet-based blends at the international fine dining level alongside Napa Valley and the finest European Cabernet regions.