Washington Wine

History made us, but now, we’re making history.


With 1,070+ wineries, 400+ grape growers, and 60,000+ acres of wine grapes, Washington State is the 2nd largest wine producing state in the U.S. We are proud to produce over 80 varieties from our 21 AVAs, and each year, we have a total in-state economic impact of more than $8B and produce over 17M cases of wine. A few of the things that make Washington Washington are listed below. 

At a Glance

- Number of licensed wineries: 1,070
- National rank as wine producer in the United States: 2nd
- Wine grape acreage: 60,000+ acres
- Number of wine grape growers: 400
- Varieties produced: 80+
- Total annual in-state economic impact: $8+ billion
- Growing season diurnal shift: 30-40°F
- Annual wine production: 17+ million cases
- Record harvest, 2016: 272,000 tons
- Most recent harvest, 2022: 158,974 tons
- Average hours of summer sunlight: Up to 17 hours per day, about 1 more hour during the peak of the growing season than California’s prime growing region
- Inches of annual rainfall in Columbia Valley: 6-8
- Percent of wineries making less than 5,000 cases per year: 90%
- Number of AVAs: 21

All stats as of November 2024.

Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley

DESCRIPTION: The Ancient Lakes of the Columbia Valley AVA is dominated by white varieties, which thrive in its northerly location.

LOCATION: Central Washington

DESIGNATED: 2012

TOTAL SIZE: 162,762 acres

ACREAGE UNDER WINE: 1,604 (649 hectares)

TOP VARIETIES: Riesling

SOILS:  Fine sand along with silt and sandy loam 

AVERAGE ANNUAL PRECIPITATION: 6 inches

TWO THINGS TO KNOW:


     > One of the only appellations in Washington planted more to white varieties than red. 


     Its northern location and higher elevation affect the resulting wines.  

Beverly

DESCRIPTION: Beverly, Washington is defined by its high heat, elevated winds, and extremely well-drained soils. The winds are due to the appellation’s proximity to Sentinel Gap, which lies two miles to the south.

LOCATION: South-central Washington

DESIGNATED: 2024

TOTAL SIZE: 2,415 acres

ACREAGE UNDER VINE: 400 acres (161 hectares)

TOP VARIETIES: Cabernet Sauvignon

SOILS: Deep to very deep, excessively drained soils formed by glacial outwash, alluvium, and sand. 

AVERAGE ANNUAL PRECIPITATION: 5 inches

TWO THINGS TO KNOW:

      > One of the state’s warmest and driest growing regions.

      > Known for its elevated winds an excessively well-drained soils.

Candy Mountain

DESCRIPTION: The Candy Mountain AVA is part of a series of four mountains in the area, which also include Red Mountain, Badger Mountain, and Little Badger Mountain, that are collectively referred to as ‘the rattles’ due to their alignment with the larger Rattlesnake Mountain.

LOCATION: South-central Washington

DESIGNATED: 2020

TOTAL SIZE: 815 acres

ACRES UNDER VINE: 110 acres (44 hectares)

TOP VARIETIES: Cabernet Sauvignon

SOILS:  Loess, windblown silt and sand, ice age flood sediment 

AVERAGE ANNUAL PRECIPITATION: 5 inches

TWO THINGS TO KNOW:

     > Candy Mountain is currently the smallest appellation in Washington.

     > Its proximity to Red Mountain give it similarities to that esteemed appellation. 

Columbia Gorge

DESCRIPTION: The Columbia Gorge AVA is the western-most appellation in eastern Washington. It is perhaps the most diverse appellation in the state, with dramatic differences east-to- west in precipitation, heat accumulation, and soil composition.

LOCATION:  South-central Washington & north central Oregon 

DESIGNATED: 2004

TOTAL SIZE: 191,000 acres

ACREAGE UNDER VINE: Total vineyard acreage: 950 (384 Hectares); Washington acreage: 381 (154 Hectares)

TOP VARIETIES: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir

SOILS: Silt loam

AVERAGE ANNUAL PRECIPITATION: 10-36 inches

TWO THINGS TO KNOW:

     > The western-most appellation in eastern Washington.

     > It is known for its diversity of climate, aspects, and soil types. 

Columbia Valley

DESCRIPTION: Encompassing more than a quarter of the state, the Columbia Valley AVA is by far Washington’s largest growing region at 11+ million acres. It is home to over 99% of all of Washington’s vinifera acreage.

LOCATION:  Central, south-central, and south-eastern Washington and north-central Oregon 

DESIGNATED: 1984

TOTAL SIZE:  11 million acres 

ACREAGE UNDER VINE: Total vineyard acreage: 60,079 (24,313 hectares); Washington acreage: 59,234 (23,971 hectares)

TOP VARIETIES:  Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Riesling, Syrah

SOILS:  Loess overlying gravel and slackwater sediment with a basalt bedrock

AVERAGE ANNUAL PRECIPITATION: 6-8 inches

TWO THINGS TO KNOW:

      > Over 99% of Washington’s acreage is planted in Columbia Valley. 

      > A rain shadow makes it an arid and semi-arid desert, ideal for grape growing. 

Goose Gap

DESCRIPTION: The main distinguishing feature of the Goose Gap AVA is the orientation of Goose Mountain’s ridge crest, which runs east-west. By comparison, ridge crests of nearby Red Mountain, Candy Mountain, and Rattlesnake Mountain run northwest to southeast.

LOCATION: South-central Washington

DESIGNATED: 2021

TOTAL SIZE:  8,129 acres

ACREAGE UNDER VINE: 1,800 acres (323 hectares)

TOP VARIETIES: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Chardonnay

SOILS: Warden series, windblown silt and fine sand overlying Missoula Flood sediment 

AVERAGE ANNUAL PRECIPITATION: 6 inches

TWO THINGS TO KNOW:

      > Goose Mountain’s orientation differs from other mountains in the area. 

      > This difference gives the fruit a mixture of Red Mountain and Yakima Valley profiles.

Horse Heaven Hills

DESCRIPTION: Located in south-central Washington and part of the larger Columbia Valley, the Horse Heaven Hills AVA is a warm, windy region that is home to over a quarter of Washington’s planted acreage.

LOCATION: South-central Washington

DESIGNATED: 1983

TOTAL SIZE: 665,600 acres

ACREAGE UNDER VINE: 17,082 acres (6,912 hectares)

TOP VARIETIES: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay

SOILS: Deep silt-loam over basalt bedrock and gravel 

AVERAGE ANNUAL PRECIPITATION: 8 inches

TWO THINGS TO KNOW:

      > The Horse Heaven Hills is a warm, windy region. 

      > It is home to one-quarter of Washington’s wine grape acreage. 

Lake Chelan

DESCRIPTION: The Lake Chelan AVA is one of the only Columbia Valley sub-appellations that does not have basalt bedrock. It also has a unique climate, due to its location and the ‘lake effect.’

LOCATION: North-central Washington

DESIGNATED: 2009

TOTAL SIZE:  24,040 acres

ACREAGE UNDER VINE: 269 acres (109 hectares)

TOP VARIETIES:  Syrah, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Merlot, Riesling 

SOILS: Glacial sediments along with ash and pumice 

AVERAGE ANNUAL PRECIPITATION: 11 inches

TWO THINGS TO KNOW:

      > Lake Chelan is one of the only appellations that does not have basalt bedrock. 

      > It has a unique climate, due to its location and the ‘lake effect.’ 

Lewis-Clark Valley

DESCRIPTION: The Lewis-Clark Valley AVA is a young appellation but with a long grape growing history. The appellation is defined by steep canyons and low benchlands.

LOCATION:  South-eastern Washington and north-western Idaho

DESIGNATED: 2016

TOTAL SIZE:  306,658 total acres, 85,864 in WA 

ACREAGE UNDER VINE: Total vineyard acreage: 100 (40 Hectares); Washington acreage: 9 (4 Hectares)

TOP VARIETIES:  Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot

SOILS: Loess and Mollisols from bunchgrass roots 

AVERAGE ANNUAL PRECIPITATION: 11-22 inches

TWO THINGS TO KNOW:

      > Lewis-Clark Valley is a young appellation but with a long grape growing history. 

      > The appellation is defined by steep canyons and low benchlands. 

Naches Heights

DESCRIPTION: The Naches Heights AVA is located on a million-year-old lava flow above the Missoula Floods, with andesite bedrock. Its elevation and proximity to the Cascades make it cooler and wetter.

LOCATION: South-central Washington

DESIGNATED: 2011

TOTAL SIZE: 13,254 acres

ACREAGE UNDER VINE: 50 acres (20 hectares)

TOP VARIETIES:  Pinot Gris, Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Syrah

SOILS: Windblown loess and clay 

AVERAGE ANNUAL PRECIPITATION: 10-13 inches

TWO THINGS TO KNOW:

      > Naches Heights is located on a 1M year-old lava flow above the Missoula Floods. 

      > Its elevation and proximity to the Cascades make it cooler and wetter compared to nearby appellations. 

Puget Sound

DESCRIPTION: The Puget Sound AVA is currently Washington’s only appellation west of the Cascade Mountains, making it the state’s coolest and wettest growing region.

LOCATION: Northwestern Washington

DESIGNATED: 1995

TOTAL SIZE: 5.5 million acres

ACREAGE UNDER VINE: 121 acres (49 hectares)

TOP VARIETIES:  Pinot Noir, Madeline Angevine, Siegerrebe

SOILS: Gravelly sandy loam over glacial hardpan 

AVERAGE ANNUAL PRECIPITATION: 15-60 inches

TWO THINGS TO KNOW:

      > Currently Washington’s only growing region located west of the Cascade Mountain range. 

      > It therefore has a radically different climate and grows very different varieties. 

Rattlesnake Hills

DESCRIPTION: The Rattlesnake Hills AVA is generally higher in elevation than the Yakima Valley as a whole. About half of the appellation is underlain by Ellensburg Formation sedimentary deposits.

LOCATION: South-central Washington

DESIGNATED: 2006

TOTAL SIZE:  68,500 acres

ACREAGE UNDER VINE: 1,807 acres (731 hectares)

TOP VARIETIES: Merlot, Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah

SOILS: Silt loam and loam 

AVERAGE ANNUAL PRECIPITATION: 6-12 inches

TWO THINGS TO KNOW:

      > Rattlesnake Hills is generally higher in elevation than the Yakima Valley as a whole. 

      > About half of the appellation is underlain by Ellensburg Formation sedimentary deposits. 

Red Mountain

DESCRIPTION: The Red Mountain AVA is a very small, hot, windy appellation. Plantings are dominated by red varieties.

LOCATION: South-central Washington

DESIGNATED: 2001

TOTAL SIZE: 4,040 acres

VINEYARDS: 2,382 acres (963 hectares)

TOP VARIETIES: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah

SOILS: Sandy loam and gravel 

AVERAGE ANNUAL PRECIPITATION: 5 inches

TWO THINGS TO KNOW:

      > Red Mountain is one of Washington’s warmest and driest appellations. 

      > It is dominated by red varieties, particularly Cabernet Sauvignon.

Rocky Reach

DESCRIPTION: The Rocky Reach AVA is located in the northern reaches of the Columbia Valley. It has very different soils and bedrock from most of the Columbia Valley.

LOCATION: Central Washington

DESIGNATED: 2022

TOTAL SIZE:  32,333 acres

ACREAGE UNDER VINE: 117 (47 hectares)

TOP VARIETIES: Cabernet Sauvignon

SOILS:  Loess, cobblestones, and gravel

AVERAGE ANNUAL PRECIPITATION: 11 inches

TWO THINGS TO KNOW:

      > Rocky Reach has markedly different soils from all other Columbia Valley appellations. 

      > It is considerably warmer than surrounding areas, allowing a longer growing season. 

Royal Slope

DESCRIPTION: The Royal Slope AVA is a broad, generally south-facing slope between Ancient Lakes and Wahluke Slope. A wide range of elevations allows a diverse group of varieties to succeed.

LOCATION: South-central Washington

DESIGNATED: 2020

TOTAL SIZE:  156,389 acres

ACREAGE UNDER VINE: 1,900 acres (768 hectares)

TOP VARIETIES: Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Chardonnay

SOILS: Fine sand along with silt and sandy loam 

AVERAGE ANNUAL PRECIPITATION: 6-8 inches

TWO THINGS TO KNOW:

      > Royal Slope is a broad, generally south-facing slope between Ancient Lakes and Wahluke Slope. 

      > A wide range of elevations allows a diverse group of varieties to succeed.

Snipes Mountain

DESCRIPTION: The Snipes Mountain AVA is home to some of the oldest plantings in the state. The appellation contains sand and gravels deposited by the ancestral Columbia River.

LOCATION: South-central Washington

DESIGNATED: 2009

TOTAL SIZE: 4,145 acres

ACREAGE UNDER VINE: 859 acres (348 hectares)

TOP VARIETIES: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay

SOILS: Loess over Missoula Flood sediment. Gravel deposits from ancient flow of Columbia River 

AVERAGE ANNUAL PRECIPITATION: 7 inches

TWO THINGS TO KNOW:

      > Snipes Mountain is home to some of the oldest plantings in the state. 

      > The appellation contains sand and gravel deposited by the ancestral Columbia River. 


The Burn of Columbia Valley

DESCRIPTION: Located in south-central Washington west of the Horse Heaven Hills, The Burn of Columbia Valley AVA is a warm appellation that acts like a cooler one, due to persistent winds in the area.

LOCATION: South-central Washington

DESIGNATED: 2021

TOTAL SIZE:  16,870 acres

ACREAGE UNDER VINE: 1,500 acres (607 hectares)

TOP VARIETIES: Cabernet Sauvignon

SOILS: Fine sand along with silt and sandy loam  

AVERAGE ANNUAL PRECIPITATION: 8-9 inches

TWO THINGS TO KNOW:

      > It’s a warm appellation that acts like a cool one.

      > It receives more precipitation than many other areas of Columbia Valley. 

Wahluke Slope

DESCRIPTION: The Wahluke Slope AVA is defined by a giant, ancestral alluvial fan. It is one of the warmest appellations in the state, dominated by red varieties.

LOCATION: South-central Washington

DESIGNATED: 2006

TOTAL SIZE: 81,000 acres

ACREAGE UNDER VINE: 8,932 acres (3,615 hectares)

TOP VARIETIES: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay

SOILS: Wind-blown sand 

AVERAGE ANNUAL PRECIPITATION: 6 inches

TWO THINGS TO KNOW:

      > The Wahluke Slope is defined by a giant, ancestral alluvial fan. 

      > It is one of the warmest appellations in the state, dominated by red varieties. 

Walla Walla Valley

DESCRIPTION: The Walla Walla Valley AVA is home to 120+ wineries, including many of the oldest in the state. It is a diverse growing region with varied rainfall.

LOCATION: Southeastern Washington, northeastern Oregon

DESIGNATED: 1984

TOTAL SIZE: 300,000 acres

ACREAGE UNDER VINE: Total vineyard acreage: 2,933 (1,186 hectares); Washington acreage: 1,672 (676 hectares)

TOP VARIETIES: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah

SOILS: Sandy loess over Missoula Flood slackwater deposits and fractured basalt along with Freewater series cobbles 

AVERAGE ANNUAL PRECIPITATION: 9-22 inches

TWO THINGS TO KNOW:

      > Largest concentration of wineries in Washington and also some of the oldest. 

      > Diverse growing region with varied rainfall. 

White Bluffs

DESCRIPTION: The White Bluffs AVA lies on a plateau, which extends the growing season substantially. The appellation has a unique subsoil, referred to as the Ringold Formation.

LOCATION: South-central Washington

DESIGNATED: 2021

TOTAL SIZE:  93,738 acres

ACREAGE UNDER VINE: 1,127 acres (456 hectares)

TOP VARIETIES:  Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc

SOILS: Windblown silt over ancient lakebed sediment 

AVERAGE ANNUAL PRECIPITATION: 6 inches

TWO THINGS TO KNOW:

      > The White Bluffs appellation lies on a plateau, which extends the growing season substantially. 

      > The appellation has a unique subsoil, referred to as the Ringold Formation. 

Yakima Valley

DESCRIPTION: The Yakima Valley AVA is Washington’s oldest federally approved grape-growing region. It is home to almost a third of the state’s planted acreage.

LOCATION: South-central Washington

DESIGNATED: 1983

TOTAL SIZE: 665,600 acres

ACREAGE UNDER VINE: 18,924 acres (7,658 hectares)

TOP VARIETIES: Chardonnay, Riesling, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon

SOILS: Deep silt-loam over basalt bedrock and gravel 

AVERAGE ANNUAL PRECIPITATION: 8 inches

TWO THINGS TO KNOW:

      > Yakima Valley is Washington’s oldest federally approved grape-growing region. 

      > It is home to almost a third of the state’s planted acreage.