Washington Winegrowing
Washington is America’s second largest wine-producing state (after California), with 500 wineries and over 31,000 acres of vineyards. It produces a diverse array of premium wines, from over 20 leading varietal types, that increasingly are acknowledged as among the world’s finest.
The overwhelming majority of Washington's grapevines are planted east of the Cascade Mountain Range in desert-like conditions that provide an ideal climate of warm days and cool nights, producing grapes with intense fruit flavors and lively acidity. Because the vines are planted on their own roots rather than grafted onto rootstocks (almost all modern European and California vines are grafted), Washington State vines are pure European vinifera and produce fruit with exceptional varietal personality.
Washington‘s climate varies considerably from west to east. The expansive Cascade Range creates a rainshadow effect resulting in prolific rainfall west of the mountains (an average of 50” annually) and very dry conditions to the east (8” annual rainfall). Additionally, temperatures in Eastern Washington drop dramatically at night during the summer months. This diurnal variation is critical to quality grape development, resulting in wines with concentrated, well-structured flavors that pair beautifully with food.
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Washington has nine American Viticultural Areas, or ‘appellations’, which are distinctive wine-growing regions with clearly defined geographical, climatic and soil features. The nine are Columbia Valley (the largest), Yakima Valley, Walla Walla Valley, Red Mountain, Horse Heaven Hills, Columbia Gorge, Wahluke Slope, Rattlesnake Hills and Puget Sound. All but Puget Sound are in Eastern Washington.
Columbia Valley
The Columbia Valley is Washington’s largest appellation, comprising more than 60% (17,000 acres) of the state's total vinifera grape plantings. This high-desert region encompasses parts of three rivers – the Columbia, Snake and Yakima – as well as the Yakima Valley, Walla Walla Valley, Red Mountain, Wahluke Slope and Horse Heaven Hills appellations. Its volcanic, well-drained, sandy loam soils are low in nutrients, which stresses the vines and contributes to concentrated fruit flavor in the grapes. Dominant varieties are Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.
Columbia Gorge
The Columbia Gorge appellation, which extends into northwestern Oregon, begins east of the Cascade Mountains near the White Salmon River and extends up the Columbia Valley to the Columbia Valley appellation. Primarily planted to classic white varieties, it produces excellent Gewürztraminer, Chardonnay, Riesling and Pinot Gris in its cooler western precincts and high-quality reds in its warmer eastern districts.
Yakima Valley
Established in 1983, Yakima Valley is Washington’s oldest appellation. It lies within the Columbia Valley and includes 10,000 acres of wine grapes, roughly one-third the state’s total. Yakima Valley’s most widely planted variety is Chardonnay, followed by Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Riesling and Syrah also represent significant acreage.
Walla Walla Valley
The Walla Walla Valley also lies within the broader Columbia Valley appellation. Located in the far southeast corner of the state and crossing into the northeast corner of Oregon, Walla Walla is a small growing region with only 1,200 vine acres (but 55 wineries), most planted within recent years. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay and Syrah are the prevailing varieties.
Horse Heaven Hills
Horse Heaven Hills is a sub-region of the Columbia Valley. Located in southeastern Washington, it’s named for the wild mustangs that used to roam its hills. Today, it has over 6,000 acres planted to grapes, many on steep, south-facing slopes rising up to 1,800 feet.
Wahluke Slope
Established in 2006 and located entirely within the established Columbia Valley appellation, Wahluke Slope is a dry, warm appellation with only a handful of wineries, but 5,200 acres of vineyards, nearly 20% of Washington’s total. Its top varieties are Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesling, Chardonnay, and Chenin Blanc.
Rattlesnake Hills
One of Washington’s more recently established AVAs, Rattlesnake Hills is located within both the Yakima and Columbia Valley appellations and boasts ridgetop vineyards over 3,000 feet in elevation that benefit from excellent water and air drainage. With 1,500 vine acres and 17 wineries, the region specializes in Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, Syrah, Chardonnay and Riesling.
Red Mountain
A warm sub-region of the Yakima Valley, located at its easternmost tip at a sharp bend of the Yakima River, Red Mountain encompasses approximately 4,000 acres with about 700 currently planted primarily to red varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Franc and Sangiovese.
Puget Sound
The Puget Sound appellation, located in Western Washington, spans the islands and land adjoining the Puget Sound waterway, extending into the western foothills of the Cascade Mountains. It receives more rainfall than the other six appellations and produces a number of unique wines from its 80 acres of vineyards.