History

A Premier Producer of Red Mountain Wines

2011 20122013201420162017

Creating wines that are as complex as they are captivating, Canvasback is following the model established decades ago by Duckhorn Vineyards, and combines grapes from top growers with fruit from Canvasback’s own estate vineyard.

2011

After conducting extensive blind tastings between Napa Valley and Washington Cabernet Sauvignons, we become extremely excited about the quality and character of the wines from Washington State—in particular the exceptional Cabernet Sauvignons from Red Mountain. Working with legendary Washington vineyard manager Dick Boushey, we begin cultivating relationships with the growers who farm some of the appellation’s most esteemed vineyards.

2012

Using grapes from some of Red Mountain’s most acclaimed vineyards, including Klipsun, La Coye, Shaw and Quintessence, we make our debut vintage of Canvasback Red Mountain Washington State Cabernet Sauvignon.

2014

Canvasback names Washington native Brian Rudin as our winemaker. A rising star, with experience at such esteemed wineries as L’Ecole No 41, Cadaretta and Buried Cane, Brian is an expert with Red Mountain fruit. His vineyard-focused approach to winemaking plays a key role in developing Canvasback’s bold, beautifully structured style. The same year, we acquire a 20-acre unplanted vineyard site on Red Mountain. Located near the top of the mountain, it is widely recognized as the most coveted uncultivated site on the mountain.

2014

We release our debut vintage of Canvasback Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon. We also craft our inaugural Canvasback Grand Passage Cabernet Sauvignon from our finest blocks and barrels of wine from the exceptional 2014 growing season. Under the guidance of Brian Rudin and Dick Boushey, we plant our Longwinds Estate Vineyard to Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

2016

Achieving our goal of establishing a vineyard program that includes Estate grapes and fruit from the best vineyards on Red Mountain, we harvest the first grapes from our Longwinds Estate Vineyard.

2017

We release our 2014 Canvasback Grand Passage Cabernet Sauvignon. Made using grapes from renowned vineyards like Klipsun, Quintessence and Ciel du Cheval—including some of the most coveted older-vine plantings on the mountain—this exciting wine takes its place as the pinnacle of our winemaking program.