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Washington Wine
Washington State is a premium wine producing region, located in the northwest corner of the United States. Although a relatively young wine industry, it is now the nation's second largest wine producer and is ranked among the world's top wine regions.
With approximately 33,000 acres planted, the state has ideal geography and conditions for growing premium vinifera wine grapes. Primarily grown on their own root stocks, the vines produce grapes of consistent quality, resulting in strong vintages year after year. While its focus is on Chardonnay, Riesling, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, the region also produces a wide range of other spectacular whites and reds.
Winemakers from all over the world have chosen to establish themselves in Washington, where they can create wines reflecting this region's unique characteristics. Their hand-crafted wines are receiving wide acclaim from critics regionally, nationally and internationally for their consistently high quality. Many of them have received scores of 90 and above from the major wine media. Overall a higher percentage than other leading wine regions.
Washington State - the perfect climate for wine = ideal growing conditions, quality wines, business innovation, lifestyle, social responsibility, all key elements of this world-class wine industry.
Washington Wine Appelations (AVAs)
Located on approximately the same latitude (46°N) as some of the great French wine regions of Bordeaux and Burgundy, Washington wine regions include nine federally recognized American Viticultural Areas (AVAs), otherwise known as appellations, sharing three with Oregon.
COLUMBIA GORGE - established in 2004- Includes areas in Washington State and Oregon with fewer than eight wineries.
- Located in Southwest Washington – total area is 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.
COLUMBIA VALLEY - established 1984- Washington's largest viticultural 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.
HORSE HEAVEN HILLS - established 2005
- 2,444 ha (6,040 acres) vineyard area.
- 4 wineries.
- Top varieties produced: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah
PUGET SOUND - established 1995- More than 32 vineyard 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 38cm to 76cm 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.
RATTLESNAKE HILLS - established 2006
- 607ha (1,500 acres) vineyard planted.
- 17 wineries.
- Top varieties produced: Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, Syrah, Chardonnay, Riesling.
RED MOUNTAIN - established in 2001
- Located at the east end of the Yakima Valley; has 10 wineries.
- 1,635 hectares situated between Benton City and Richland.
- Over 287 vineyard 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 15-20 cm annually.
- Red Mountain is located within the larger Yakima Valley, at its easternmost tip.
WAHLUKE SLOPE - established 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 and at least three wine production facilities.
- The 81,000 acre (32,780 hectares) region features approximately 5,200 acres (approximately 2,100 hectares) 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 nearly complete control of vine vigor and ripening through irrigation.
WALLA WALLA VALLEY - established 1984
- Walla Walla has more than 55 wineries and more than 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 32 cm per year.
YAKIMA VALLEY - established 1983- Washington State's first appellation includes more that 40 wineries.
- 4,047 vineyard 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 20 cm.
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