Quilceda Creek Expands Portfolio: Acquisition of Washington State Vineyard from Duckhorn

Quilceda Creek, renowned as one of Washington state’s top Cabernet Sauvignon producers, has acquired a 17-acre vineyard located in Red Mountain from the Duckhorn Portfolio. The terms of the deal remain undisclosed.

This vineyard, established in 2014, is primarily planted with Cabernet Sauvignon and features a few acres of Merlot, managed by the respected vineyard manager Dick Boushey. These grapes were previously included in Duckhorn’s Canvasback program, particularly in the Grand Passage cuvée, which the company is discontinuing to concentrate on its premium brands.

Paul Golitzin, president of Quilceda Creek, noted that the vineyard lies between elevations of 970 and 1,100 feet and comprises silty loam soils. The rocky upper areas of the site are designated for Cabernet, while Merlot is strategically planted lower where the soil retains more moisture. This parcel is conveniently situated near the Col Solare vineyard and less than a mile from Quilceda Creek’s own 17-acre Galitzine vineyard, a single-vineyard offering.

"This is a gorgeous, high-elevation vineyard, a little closer to the stars," Golitzin said. He expressed enthusiasm about working with the additional Bordeaux clones present in the vineyard, which is now reaching its peak productivity at 12 years old.

Historically, Quilceda Creek was founded by Alex Golitzin in 1979, gradually becoming a leading producer of Cabernet, with support from his uncle, André Tchelistcheff. Paul took over winemaking responsibilities in 1993, steadily refining the flagship wine, with current annual production around 12,000 cases.

The Duckhorn Portfolio, which began in 1976 thanks to vintners Dan and Margaret Duckhorn, expanded to include a collection of well-regarded wineries. In 2024, it was acquired by Butterfly, a Los Angeles-based private equity firm, for approximately $2 billion, boasting an annual production of 2.7 million cases.

Red Mountain, spanning 4,040 acres within the Yakima Valley AVA, is recognized for producing superior Bordeaux varietals. It features significant temperature fluctuations that facilitate grape ripening while preserving acidity during cooler nights.

The Quilceda Creek vineyard team is already preparing the vineyard for the upcoming harvest. However, Golitzin remains uncertain about the exact disposition of the grapes. “We’re going to see what fits. Some will likely go into Galitzine. Merlot, which I’m passionate about, is something I want to produce again,” he remarked.

Golitzin acknowledges the unusual nature of acquiring a vineyard while many Washington growers are removing vines, including state giant Chateau Ste. Michelle, which announced a 40 percent reduction in grape contracts in 2023. He stated, “We’re doing pretty good here at Quilceda. We feel very fortunate.”

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