Ste. Michelle Wine Estates announced that its well-known H3 tier of wines from Columbia Crest would transition into a stand-alone H3 brand. Named for the Horse Heaven Hills AVA where the wines hail from, H3 wines were an immediate success when they were originally launched by Columbia Crest in 2008. H3 wines were the first wines sourced from the Horse Heaven Hills AVA.
“We’re thrilled at the success of our H3 wines and are bullish on the future of this brand,” said Ste. Michelle President & CEO Jim Mortensen. “H3 is ideally positioned for growth with both Gen X and Millennial consumers who are hungry for wines with a true sense of place and H3 wines deliver that in spades,” Mortensen continued.
In addition to its well-known H3 Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Red Blend and Sauvignon Blanc, the brand will also introduce a Rosé, a blend of Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. The line also includes new packaging for the brand, which leans into the winged horse or Pegasus imagery, an homage to the Horse Heaven Hills name. The new H3 wines are now available throughout Washington state, Oregon and California and select retailers nationwide.
Beginning this Fall, the back label of each H3 bottle will also include a scannable QR code where consumers can learn more about the family farmers as well as ingredient and nutritional information. The line also includes new packaging for the brand, which leans into the winged horse or Pegasus imagery, an homage to the Horse Heaven Hills name. The new H3 wines are now available throughout Washington state, Oregon and California and select retailers nationwide.