Today, the grapes from all of the Donedei wines come from the Ciel du Cheval Vineyard (Red Mountain Appellation) and Elephant Mountain Vineyard (Yakima Valley Appellation). All grapes are hand-picked, sorted and gently crushed – we are a 100% free run winery which means we do not press (very unusual) to enhance concentration and color intensity. Wines are fermented in small lots using proprietary yeasts. These practices yield wines that are concentrated, rich and assertive. In addition, our wines are un-filtered and un-fined so we recommend decanting a bottle before enjoying – by the way, you don’t need a “fancy” decanter. Our team takes great pride in what we do and we hope it shows in every glass.
Donedei takes its name from a farmhouse in southern France, near Cannes, that has been part of Carolyn and Fred’s life for over 15 years – Donedei, translated from its French origins, means “Gift of God”.