Fidelitas

An economics graduate from Eastern University, winemaker/owner Charlie Hoppes worked on a management team in the flight test industrial engineering department at Boeing in Seattle. When searching for more fulfilling work, his wife Terry encouraged him to turn his winemaking passion into a fulltime craft. After being accepted into the University of California at Davis' Viticulture Enology program, Charlie left Boeing in 1985.

Staying True to His Dream

In 1988 Charlie was hired by Stimpson Lane (now Ste. Michelle Estates) and worked with Mike Januik for 10 years. It was invaluable experience, yet his dream was to have his own winery.

Moving to Walla Walla to become Three Rivers Winery's winemaker took him a step closer. After working there seven years, Charlie (along with his brother Loren) established a winery on Red Mountain. They called it Fidelitas. A variation of his wife's family name, it's the Latin word for faithful, signifying a wine that is loyal and true. The first vintage was available in 2002.

Entrepreneur of the Year

Simultaneously to starting his own winery, Charlie began consulting for area wineries such as Canon Del Sol, Gamache Vintners and Goose Ridge Vineyards. In six short years, Charlie has been awarded 2006 Entrepreneur of the Year from Eastern University and Wine Report 2006 listed Fidelitas as a Top 10 New Up and Coming Producer for the Northwest. Today, Fidelitas' production is at 7,000 cases and can be found nationally.

2007 Fidelitas was one of the "Top 100 Wineries" awarded by Wine & Spirits Magazine.

A Modern Day Shed

The utilitarian architectural style of the winery's visitor center and small production tasting facility is unique for this area. A custom-built metal building that was completed in May 2007, it's designed to complement Red Mountain's rugged landscape and neighboring vineyards.

To the north, south and west you see Red Mountain, Horse Heaven Hills, and Rattlesnake Mountain respectively, with the east showcasing the rolling hills leading up to the Tri-Cities. Every season brings new colors to the landscape. And most evenings offer a dramatic display of pink, orange, and purple hues of sunset.

Inside the winery, industrial textured, wood walls and stained concrete floors set the tone. The customized wood tasting bars with stainless steel features reinforce the "modern shed" concept. One wall displays current wine releases, plus pictures of the family's Grandma Mary, the namesake behind their m100 red and m100 white wine, which were first bottled in honor of her 100th birthday.

The tasting room staff is quite knowledgeable on the history of Fidelitas as well as the different appellations that make Washington State such a premier growing region, and how the local geology foretold this success millions of years ago.

Fidelitas enjoys long-standing relationships with many of the state's best growers and sources their grapes from some of the most premier vineyards in Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley, Red Mountain and Yakima Valley.

Their Champoux Cabernet Sauvignon vintages have been well received and make a great partnership between grower and winemaker. The wine that the folks at Fidelitas hold most dear to their hearts, however, is their Optu Bordeaux style blend, which blends five varietals from the Columbia Valley. In Latin, Optu means best—which is a very fitting word for the entire Fidelitas experience. Enjoy!