The brand was founded in 2004 (originally as "Grand Reve Vintners"), and beginning with that vintage began the "Collaboration Series" of wines made by some of Washington's top winemakers, using fruit from Red Mountain's Ciel du Cheval vineyard.

[citation needed] Currently, Force Majeure holds the highest score ever given to a Washington Cabernet Sauvignon by the Wine Spectator (97 points).

[2] Force Majeure purchased land for an estate vineyard within Washington's famed Red Mountain AVA, and initially developed the site in 2006–2007.

The hillside is steep, and rises in elevation from 950 to 1230 feet, on a piece of land that includes 9 distinct soil types due in part to the Missoula Floods.

"[5] Harvey Steiman of Wine Spectator magazine has written that Force Majeure has "established itself in the top tier of Washington wineries.