Washington State Appellations

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About Washington	Appellation Area Maps	Washington's AVAs
Touring Washington/Oregon	Washington State Facts	Winemaking History

Washington's American Viticultural Areas (AVAs)
	Acres in Production	Established	Wineries
Columbia River Gorge	400	2004	10
Columbia Valley	16,000	1984	25
Horse Heaven Hills	6,000	2005	6
Puget Sound/Seattle	80	1995	69
Rattlesnake Hills	1,227	2006	15
Red Mountain	700	2001	14
Wahluke Slope	5,000	2006	1
Walla Walla	1,000	1984	58
Yakima Valley	11,000	1983	46
Lake Chelan (unofficial)			30
Spokane (unofficial)			12

About Washington

Located on approximately the same latitude (46ºN) as some of the great French wine regions of Bordeaux and Burgundy, Washington State wine country includes nine federally recognized American Viticultural Areas (AVAs), commonly known as appellations; three of them share territory with Oregon State.

A variety of climates and soils combine with the long summer sunlight hours of northern latitudes to create prime growing regions, predominantly in the valleys and on the hillsides of areas east of the Cascade Mountain range. Washington wineries benefit from grapes ripening in these areas which experience about two more hours of summer sunlight each day than in California wine regions. Gradually cooling Autumn temperatures in Washington also help wine grapes reach full maturity, while maintaining desirable acid levels.

Climates of individual Washington wine regions differ dramatically. Cross cut north to south by the Cascade Mountains, Washington State is more mild and lush to the west of this volcanically formed barrier than the lands to its east. In fact, the Puget Sound AVA/appellation is the only officially recognized wine region west of the Cascades. Currently, only about 1% of the state's wine grapes are grown here. Just a hand full of Washington wineries grow vineyards on this cooler, western side of the Cascades, where marine air masses drift over the ridges of the Coast Range on their way to the Cascade Mountains. Clouds must rise to continue their eastward march; temperatures fall as elevation increases causing moisture to fall as rain or snow before the north-south barrier of the Cascade ridges is breached. Very little moisture reaches the east side of these towering mountains, which create what is known as a "rain shadow" effect to more than half of of Washington State.

The resulting arid climate, combined with the long daylight hours of the growing season, make the lands of eastern Washington prime for wine grapes. Canopies can be controlled by irrigation management, and grapes can fully ripen, developing complex fruit flavors, good acid levels and pleasing aromatics.

Vineyards on the east side of the Cascades grow 99% of Washington's wine grapes. Seven of the state's eight official AVA/appellations are located here -- the macro appellation of the Columbia Valley encompasses the smaller Yakima Valley AVA, Red Mountain AVA, Walla Walla Valley AVA, Horse Heaven Hills, Wahluke Slope and Rattlesnake Hills (Washington State's newest appellation). The Columbia Gorge AVA begins at the western edge of the Columbia Valley AVA and continues west and south to areas along the Columbia River in both Oregon and Washington.

Two other emerging regions benefit from the huge rain shadow created by the Cascade Mountains -- the North-Central Washington region (often referred to as the Columbia Cascade region) and the Lake Chelan area (AVA application in process).

All totaled, Washington wine regions produce more wine grapes than any other state in the U.S., except California. Wine grapes are now the fourth most important fruit crop in Washington State behind apples, cherries and pears.

Washington's Winemaking History

Washington's first wine grapes were planted at Fort Vancouver by the Hudson's Bay Company in 1825. By 1910, wine grapes were growing in most areas of the state, following the path of early settlers. Initially, it was French, German and Italian immigrants who pioneered the earliest plantings. Wine historians Ron Irvine and Dr. Walter Clore document in their book, The Wine Project, a continuous and connected effort to cultivate wine grapes beginning with those early plantings at Fort Vancouver. Hybrid varieties arrived in nurseries in the Puget Sound region as early as 1854 and by 1860, wine grapes were planted in the Walla Walla Valley.

Large-scale irrigation, fueled by runoff from the melting snowcaps of the Cascade Mountains, arrived in eastern Washington in 1903 unlocking the dormant potential of the rich volcanic soils and warm, sunny desert-like climate. Italian and German varietals were planted in the Yakima and Columbia Valleys and wine grape acreage expanded rapidly in the early part of the 20th century. In 1910, the first annual Columbia River Valley Grape Carnival was held in Kennewick. By 1914 important vineyards had sprung up in the Yakima Valley, most notably the vineyards of W.B. Bridgman of Sunnyside.

The arrival of Prohibition in 1920 put a damper on wine grape production, but ironically may have helped spawn early interest in home winemaking. At the end of Prohibition the first bonded winery in the Northwest was founded on Puget Sound's Stretch Island. By 1938 there were 42 wineries located throughout the state.

The first commercial-scale plantings began in the 1960's and efforts of the earliest producers, predecessors to today's Columbia Winery and Chateau Ste. Michelle, attracted the attention of wine historian Leon Adams. Adams in turn introduced pioneering enologist Andre Tchelistcheff to Chateau Ste. Michelle. It was Tchelistcheff who helped guide Chateau Ste. Michelle's early efforts and mentored modern winemaking in this state. The resulting rapid expansion of the industry in the mid 70's is now rivaled by today's breakneck pace, where a new winery opens nearly every 15 days.

The trend for quality wine production started by a few home winemakers and visionary farmers has become a respected and influential $2.4 billion industry. Shipments of Washington wine go to all 50 states and more than 40 countries globally. Washington ranks second nationally for premium wine production and more than 30,000 acres (11,736 hectares) are planted to vinifera grapes.

Significant developments in Washington State include the formation of the Washington Wine Commission in 1987, a unified marketing and trade association. In 1999, the Commission established the Washington Wine Quality Alliance (WWQA) to spearhead development of industry standards in winemaking and labeling. Washington is the first state in the U.S. to define standards for "reserve" wines. In 2003, the Washington Wine Institute and its educational partners celebrated the state’s $2.3 million investment (per biennium) to create new 2-year and 4-year degree programs supporting Washington’s growing wine industry. The program provides an educated work force to satisfy the needs of the growing industry. A degree program, ongoing education and research enhance the state’s reputation as a quality wine producing region.

Washington's wine future is limitless. As consumers discover the quality of Washington wines, demand continues to grow nationally and internationally. New acreage and wine varietals are being planted and new wineries are opening at a remarkable pace. Washington State is recognized as a premium viticultural region around the world.

Washington State Facts