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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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: Chardonnay, Riesling, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon
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.
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.’
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.
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.
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.
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, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Riesling
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.
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.
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.
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.
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: Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
