Coyote Canyon was founded in 2006 chiefly as a means for grower Mike Andrews and his family to showcase the quality of the grape varieties that Andrews started growing on his Horse Heaven Hills vineyard over two decades ago. In 1994 he started with 20 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon, and today Coyote Canyon Vineyard grows an astonishing 25 grape varieties, all with outstanding results, and produces limited barrels of wines under the guidance of talented winemaker Justin Michaud.
Mike grew up with a love for family and farming, but especially cattle ranching. He drew on those experiences when he created Coyote Canyon’s reserve label H/H Estates. The label features his old cattle brand H/H. It once represented Horse Heaven Hereford Ranch, but now signifies the Horse Heaven Hills AVA. Four generations of family have poured their lives into nurturing the Andrews’ unique land, creating terroir with a pedigree. They’ve made the land more productive while simultaneously conserving resources for future generations. The history, stewardship, and unique terroir of Coyote Canyon Vineyard are reflected in each bottle of H/H.
Growers Mike and Marti Andrews’ love and respect for the land, family and winemaking emanate throughout Coyote Canyon’s expanded tasting room, which doubled in physical size in spring of 2015. Located in the Winemakers Loft in Prosser’s Vintner’s Village, Marti, also a local artist, put her personal touch on the faux finished the walls, painted murals and redecorated interior. Three generations of family history are displayed through black & white photos and there is also an art gallery with murals of ghost horses and paintings that Mike Andrews describes as “a Tuscan feel with a Western twist.”
Coyote Canyon Winery 2013 Horse Heaven Hills Albarino, $22
Editor’s Choice – Outstanding
The Albarino is a refreshing white wine with floral aromas, pear and star-fruit. Textural and complexly layered, displaying flavors of jasmine, ginger, key lime, apricot and white peach. There’s an enticing sword of crisp acidity that arches dazzlingly across the palate.
Production: 543 cases
Alcohol: 14.1%
Coyote Canyon Winery 2010 H/H Estates Big John Cab Reserve, $38
Editor’s Choice – Outstanding
Named after one of Andrews’ prized Hereford bulls, “Big John”, the John J. Ascuagas’ Golden Nugget sale topper bull in 1974. This small-lot wine demonstrates harmonious, balanced flavors of red stone fruit flanked by a dark, earthy core of game, cassis, leather, crushed gravel and mocha, finishing. Savory spice and light pepper notes carry into the long finish.
Production: 171 cases
Alcohol: 14.3%
Coyote Canyon Winery 2010 H/H Estates Robert Andrews Mourvèdre Reserve, $38
Editor’s Choice – Outstanding
This red wine is a tribute to grower Mike father, Robert, who was the Benton County Cattlemen of the Year in 1964. It was under his management the family drilled its first well. His foresight led to additional irrigation development which created the infrastructure for the high quality wine grapes produced at Coyote Canyon Vineyard today. This Rhone varietal blend comes from their best barrels of Mourvèdre, Syrah, Grenache and Cinsault. Aromas of dark plum, raspberry and strawberry, and herbal mint leaf gain complexity on the palate with flavors of plum, wild berry, olive tapenade and a sprinkling of white pepper spice. Smooth, plush and polished from front to finish.
Production: 115 cases
Alcohol: 14.3%
Website: www.coyotecanyonwinery.com