Why Washington?
Washington state shares the same latitude as the famed Burgundy and Bordeaux wine regions of France. The state's geographic make-up includes a variety of microclimates for wine grapes to thrive. Washington's major grape region is further defined by nine major American Viticultural Areas (AVAs): Yakima Valley, Walla Walla Valley, Columbia Valley, Puget Sound, Red Mountain, Columbia Gorge, Horse Heaven Hills, Wahluke Slope and Rattlesnake Hills. Each region defines a unique climate, soil and physical features that distinguish it from surrounding areas.
Washington state's northerly latitude provides an average of two more hours of sunlight during the prime growing season than California. Washington's 17.4 hours of daily sunlight and warm days allow the grapes ripen fully while cool nights keep fruit acids high, creating rich, flavorful, well-balanced wines. Primarily grown on their own root stocks, Washington state vines produce grapes of consistent quality, resulting in strong vintages year after year.
The vast majority of Washington's wine grapes are grown east of the Cascade Mountain range, providing an ideal dry, sunny climate for growing world-class wine grapes. Eastern Washington's arid, calcareous, and sandy soils pass on mineral notes, depth, and softness that set Washington wines apart from other regions. The mild climate on the Western side of the state is perfect for growing classic noble grape varietals and fruit, as well as some hard-to-find grape varieties. Western Washington is drier and sunnier than many classic wine grape growing regions in Europe, and rarely suffers from prolonged freezes in the winter.
Appellations
YAKIMA VALLEY - established 1983
- Washington State's first appellation includes more that 40 wineries.
- 10,000 vineyard acres (4,047 hectares), over one third of Washington's vineyards.
- Most widely planted grape is Chardonnay, followed by Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.
- Riesling and Syrah represent significant acreage, with Syrah in particular on the rise.
- Silt-loam soils predominate.
- 190 day growing season with annual precipitation of approximately 8 inches (20 cm).
WALLA WALLA VALLEY - established 1984
- Walla Walla has more than 55 wineries and more than 1,200 acres (486 hectares) of vineyards.
- Cabernet Sauvignon is the leading varietal with Merlot, Chardonnay and Syrah the other predominant varieties.
- Gewurztraminer, Cabernet Franc and Sangiovese are also represented.
- Loess derived soils which are essentially unconsolidated, unstratified calcareous silt.
- Growing season of 190 to 220 days with annual rainfall averaging 12.5 inches (32 cm) per year.
COLUMBIA VALLEY - established 1984
- Washington's largest viticulture region, covering almost 11 million acres (4,451,700 hectares) representing a full third of Washington State's land mass.
- More than 17,000 vineyard acres (6,880 hectares) of wine grapes planted and approximately 15 wineries.
- Columbia Valley's vast size allows for a number of meso and micro-climates.
- Vineyards planted on predominately south-facing slopes, increasing solar radiation in summer and promoting air drainage in winter.
- Merlot is the most widely planted varietal, followed by Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.
- Riesling and Syrah are also planted in significant quantities.
- Growing season of 180-200 days with annual rainfall averaging 6 to 8 inches (15-20 cm).
- Columbia Valley contains Red Mountain and both the Yakima and Walla Walla Valleys within its borders.
PUGET SOUND - established 1995
- More than 80 vineyard acres (32 hectares) of vinifera grapes planted.
- There are nearly 35 wineries located within the greater Puget Sound region.
- The temperate climate rarely suffers from prolonged freezes in winter and enjoys long mild & dry summers.
- The core area of this appellation has a growing season that is drier and sunnier than many classic wine grape growing regions in Europe.
- Semi-permeable cemented subsoil allows the deep-rooted vinifera vines to survive the late summer soil water deficit.
- Precipitation averages 15 inches (38cm) to 30 inches per year, mostly falling in the winter dormant season, with a growing season of over 180 days.
- Madeleine Angevine, Siegerebbe and Muller-Thurgau are the predominant varietals.
- Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir also show promise in this appellation.
RED MOUNTAIN - established in 2001
- Located at the east end of the Yakima Valley; has 10 wineries.
- 4,040 acres (1,635 hectares) situated between Benton City and Richland.
- Over 710 vineyard acres (287 hectares) currently planted.
- Best known for producing red varietals, Red Mountain is widely planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Syrah and Sangiovese.
- Good air, drainage and light soils encourage the vines to seek nutrients via deep roots.
- Irrigated vineyards allow growers to control vine vigor and ease vines into dormancy before winter.
- Growing season averages 180 days with rainfall from 6 to 8 inches (15-20 cm) annually.
- Red Mountain is located within the larger Yakima Valley, at its easternmost tip.
COLUMBIA GORGE - established in 2004
- Includes areas in Washington State and Oregon with fewer than eight wineries.
- Located in Southern Washington - total area is 4,432 acres (1794 hectares) with approximately 300 vineyard acres.
- Primary grape varieties - Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, Riesling and Pinot Gris.
- Moist marine influences from the Columbia River meet dry air from eastern Washington allowing constant airflow along with warm days and cool nights provide full, ripe flavor profiles and good acid levels.
HORSE HEAVEN HILLS - established in 2005
- Naturally bounded on the north by the Yakima Valley appellation and on the south by the Columbia River.
- Located in Southwest Washington - total area is 570,000 acres (230,679 hectares) of which about 6,040 acres are planted to grapes.
- Primary grape varieties - Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah.
- Proximity to the Columbia River and a distinctive topography benefit the area by moderating temperature extremes, providing steep, south-facing slopes for optimum vineyard locations, and providing quick-draining silty loam soils.
- Elevations range from 1,800 feet at the area's northern boundary to 200 feet at its southern one.
- The outstanding sites that have been developed in this area are Canoe Ridge, Alder Ridge, and Zephyr Ridge.
- Growers have raised grapes in the Horse Heaven Hills region since 1972.
- There are at least 20 vineyards and 4 commercial wineries within the region.
WAHLUKE SLOPE - established in 2006
- Naturally bounded by the Columbia River to the west and south, by the Saddle Mountains on the north, and on the east by the Hanford Reach National Monument.
- The Wahluke Slope AVA lies entirely within the established Columbia Valley appellation and is home to more than 20 vineyards, one winery and two wine production facilities.
- The 81,000 acre region features approximately 5,200 acres of vineyards (nearly twenty percent of the total wine grape acreage in the state).
- Top grape varieties: Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesling, Chardonnay, and Chenin Blanc.
- Wahluke Slope has one of the driest, warmest climates in the state allowing complete control of vine vigor and ripening through irrigation.
RATTLESNAKE HILLS - established in 2006
- Located approximately four miles southeast of Yakima, the 68,500 acre (27,721 hectares) appellation has 1,500 acres (607 hectares) under vines.
- With 17 wineries and 29 vineyards, it provides many Washington producers with cabernet sauvignon, malbec, merlot, syrah, chardonnay and riesling.
- Encompassing an expanse of hills running east to west along the northern point of the Yakima River and south of Moxee Valley, the Rattlesnake Hills AVA lies within both the established Columbia Valley and Yakima Valley appellations.
- Beginning at an elevation of 850 feet and rising up to 3,085 feet, the viticultural area sits higher in elevation than the surrounding Yakima Valley region.
- The first commercial vineyards in the region date back to 1968.
- Vineyards are typically located on ridges and terraces and in areas with good air drainage to avoid late spring and early fall frost and winter kill.
1942 Westlake Ave.
Suite #2414
Seattle, WA 98101
Cell: (509)840-0368
Fax: (509)674-5952