Owners Emily and Lee Fergestrom broke ground on their winery and tasting room in 2019, but when the construction was finally completed in mid-2020 they were forced to do a virtual opening due to the stay-at-home mandates at that time. Despite the hurtles, the dynamic couple remain optimistic. “We purchased the property because we loved the outdoor experience it provides people, with 360 degree views of orchards, views of Mount Adams and the Rattlesnake Hills,” says Emily. “COVID forced us all outside, which was fortunate for us! We’ve enjoyed finding ways for people to be even more comfortable outside.”
The winery is hyper-local, focused on showcasing the flavors of the Yakima Valley, working closely with family-owned growers to produce small-lot wines. “We love that the vineyards we source from are within a 16-mile radius of the new facility,” Emily adds. The exception is the Cabernet Sauvignon they source from Heart of the Hill Vineyard in the Red Mountain AVA, a sub-AVA of the Yakima Valley.
Fortuity’s winemaker is Alexis Sells, who joined the winery just as the pandemic hit in 2020. Alexis is a native Washingtonian but was hired by Duckhorn in Napa County, Calif. as a lab technician and worked her way up over the past four years to help manage the Duckhorn Vineyards brand, including oversight over their Chardonnay program. She stepped up to the challenges of her first year, moving to Yakima Valley from Napa, buying a home, quarantining in a new town and setting up Fortuity’s new winery in time for harvest.
Visit: $15 tasting fee, refundable with $30 wine purchase; 160 Lombard Loop Rd, Wapato; (509) 779-6000, open Fri-Sat 11-5pm (closed winter months) or by reservation at www.fortuitycellars.com.
Below are three releases we recently reviewed:
Fortuity Cellars 2018 DuBrul Vineyard Syrah
91 Pts.
Pulsing with vibrant energy and mineral overtones that uplift the tart structure, this is packed with juicy plum, boysenberry, red currant and violet flavors. Vanilla and graphite notes surface on the layered finish. $40
Fortuity Cellars 2018 The Fifty Fifty
89 Pts.
This 50/50 blend of Malbec and Syrah displays ample spice, high-toned purple fruit and dried savory herbs framed with chalky tannins on the earthy driven finish. $28
Fortuity Cellars 2018 Malbec
90 Pts.
Bold and powerful offering earthy herbaceous characters of capsicum peppers, blue and red fruit, leather and loam that dominate the palate. Chewy tannins and lingering spice notes amp up on the broad finish. $38