Aug. 5, 2020 (Paterson, Wash.) –– Today, Ste. Michelle Wine Estates announced that its well-known H3 tier of wines from Columbia Crest would transition into a stand-alone H3 brand. Named for the Horse Heaven Hills AVA where the wines hail from, H3 wines were an immediate success when they were originally launched by Columbia Crest in 2008. H3 wines were the first wines sourced from the Horse Heaven Hills AVA.
“We’re thrilled at the success of our H3 wines and are bullish on the future of this brand,” said Ste. Michelle President & CEO Jim Mortensen. “H3 is ideally positioned for growth with both Gen X and Millennial consumers who are hungry for wines with a true sense of place and H3 wines deliver that in spades,” Mortensen continued.
In addition to its well-known H3 Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Red Blend and Sauvignon Blanc, the brand will also introduce a Rosé, a blend of Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. The line also includes new packaging for the brand, which leans into the winged horse or Pegasus imagery, an homage to the Horse Heaven Hills name. The new H3 wines are now available throughout Washington state, Oregon and California and select retailers nationwide.
H3’s lineup champions high quality fruit sourced from family farms in the Horse Heaven Hills with which the brand has long-standing relationships. Currently, about 90 percent of the fruit for H3 wines is sourced from these local farms. The back label of each H3 bottle will also include a scannable QR code where consumers can learn more about the family farmers as well as ingredient and nutritional information (available beginning Fall 2020).
“My inspiration for making this wine comes from working hand-in-hand with our family farmers from the vine to the bottle,” said H3 Winemaker Katie Nelson. “We’re out there with them throughout the season, walking the vines and checking in on the fruit quality. These wines represent the Horse Heaven Hills terroir in every way, not only the land but the people as well,” she continued.
The new H3 includes the following wines, retailing for SRP $13.99:
- H3 Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 ● H3 Red Blend 2018 ● H3 Merlot 2017
- H3 Sauvignon Blanc 2019 ● H3 Rosé 2019
To learn more about H3 wines and to find a local retailer, visit www.H3wines.com.
About H3 Wines:
H3 is inspired by the wild horses that used to roam the Horse Heaven Hills. Each wine is carefully cultivated to bring out the complex flavors of this rugged landscape. With 90% of our fruit coming from local, family-owned farms, our commitment to this unique part of the world runs deep. H3: Great Taste. Bottled. Learn more at www.H3wines.com.
About Ste. Michelle Wine Estates:
Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, located outside of Seattle, Washington, has a distinguished history that dates back to 1934. The company pioneered vinifera grape growing in Washington State while wines under the Ste. Michelle label were first introduced in 1967. Today, Ste. Michelle owns more than 3,900 vineyard acres across Washington, Oregon and California with key sites certified with the LIVE, Salmon Safe or Napa Green designations. Ste. Michelle’s portfolio represents owned or imported brands, all demonstrating an unwavering commitment to creating distinctive, high quality wines from authentic estate vineyards. Ste. Michelle’s Washington portfolio includes: Chateau Ste. Michelle, Columbia Crest, H3, 14 Hands, Col Solare, Northstar, Spring Valley Vineyard, MERF, INTRINSIC, Seven Falls and Michelle sparkling wines. In California, the company owns Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars (with Italy’s Antinori family), Conn Creek (Napa Valley) and Patz & Hall (Sonoma). Ste. Michelle also owns Erath Winery, in Dundee, Oregon. The company became the exclusive U.S. importer in 2006 for the renowned Marchesi Antinori wines of Italy and Chile’s Haras de Pirque wines, for Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte of France in 2009, and for New Zealand’s Villa Maria in 2010. For more information, please visit www.smwe.com.
