Honorees

Charlie Hoppes first became interested in winemaking shortly after he married in the summer of 1982. “After getting a degree in Engineering from WSU”, Charlie told us, “I just couldn’t see myself working in that environment. I grew up in Wapato around all sorts of agriculture, vast fields of orchards and hops and friends who were in the industry. My parents thought I was crazy but after five years at Boeing, I chucked it all in and went to UC Davis to study winemaking. I’ve never regretted it for a minute. “

Charlie started small, starting his venture at the home of his father-in-law, Daniel Fidelis O’Neill. A portion of this family name, Fidelis, nearly 20 years later would become the origin of the name for Charlie’s family owned winery: Fidélitas, which is Latin for faithful, loyal, and true.

Upon graduation from UC Davis in 1985, after a brief stint at Langguth/Saddle Mountain, he headed to Chateau Ste. Michelle to work with then Head Winemaker, Mike Januik. Eventually he advanced to Head Red Winemaker at Chateau Ste. Michelle’s newest facility, Canoe Ridge. He assisted with the first two vintages of Col Solare in the mid-90s, but left in 1998 with the hope of creating his own brand.

In 2000, Charlie launched his own label, Fidélitas, beginning with 375 cases of Optu Red Wine, which remains in his award-winning product line. Today, Charlie focuses the Fidélitas portfolio on the Red Mountain AVA, from which he handcrafts a variety of Bordeaux-styled red and white wines. The incredible diversity found within the 4,040 acres of the Red Mountain AVA gives Fidélitas all it needs to assemble the wines that are a study of the region as a whole. Fidélitas now produces 6500 cases annually.

Charlie also runs a consulting winemaking business, Vinaceus, dba Wine Boss, which includes a team of winemakers who oversee production for a number of smaller Washington wineries.

“I started working on dry land on a wheat ranch. I worked on steep hills and I knew how to run equipment on hills like that. Ste Michelle was just starting to plant Canoe Ridge and they needed someone who could work on hills and run equipment. I got the job as Assistant Vineyard Manager because I could do that, not because I know anything about growing grapes! But I learned over the years and I worked with the field hands.” Marshall told us when asked about how he got his start in the wine industry, “I had no idea it would lead me to this career.”

His knowledge of how to run a vineyard, coupled with his ability to connect with his staff (Marshall’s Motto is: “There is no “I” in team!”) and co-workers led him to his next promotion as the Manager of the Cold Creek Vineyard. In all Marshall was employed with Ste Michelle Wine Estates for seventeen years before taking a position as Vineyard Operations Manager with Dick Shaw of Shaw Vineyards, where he continues to work today.

In addition, he also manages Northwest Vineyard Management which oversees Quintessence Vineyards on Red Mountain, regarded as one of Washington’s top vineyards. His team also manages Obelisco, a 30-acre vineyard that produces grapes for Doug Long’s Obelisco Estate.

The list of highly acclaimed wines that reflect Edwards’ talent and expertise reads akin to an honor roll of Washington’s best — Col Solare, DeLille, Duckhorn, Fidélitas, Gorman, Guardian, Januik, JM Cellars, Obelisco and Mark Ryan.