The dramatic beauty of the Pacific Northwest is legendary. Leading roles in this natural drama are played by verdant coastal ranges and the rugged Cascade Mountains. Washington is the second-largest producer of wine in the country (California is #1), across a wide range of styles and quality levels. The number of Washington wineries has increased 400% in the last decade, creating a multi-million dollar wine-tourism industry.
The Cascade Mountains form a massive barrier, keeping the eastern portion of Washington state very dry. This is where the bulk of the vineyards are located in Washington. Vineyards on the east side of the Cascades grow about 99% of Washington’s wine grapes, and 13 of the state’s 14 official AVAs/appellations are located here.
The Puget Sound AVA/appellation is the only officially recognized wine region on the west side of the Cascades. Very little moisture reaches the east side of these towering mountains and a “rain shadow” effect keeps more than half of Washington State’s territory arid to semi-arid. The resulting dry climate combines with long daylight hours at this northern latitude to create prime wine-growing conditions in the lands of eastern Washington. Vineyard canopies can be controlled by irrigation management and grapes can fully ripen here, bringing complex fruit flavors, good acid levels and pleasing aromatics to Washington wines.
The cost of land in Napa Valley or the Willamette Valley is quite a bit higher than in Washington. Napa grapes command very high prices so Napa concentrates on commercially-viable varietals like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Chardonnay. Lower land costs in Washington have given grape growers and winemakers the freedom to experiment with different varietals and wine-making techniques.
Map of Washington highlighting Walla Walla County
Located on approximately the same latitude (46ºN) as some of the great French wine regions of Bordeaux and Burgundy, Washington State wine country now includes 14 federally recognized American Viticultural Areas (AVAs), commonly known as appellations. Three of them share territory with Oregon State; one is shared with Idaho. Washington’s 14th AVA – the Lewis-Clark Valley – is shared with Idaho.
I love this overview of the many Washington’s Wine Regions that I have visited including: the Columbia, Lake Chelan, Walla Walla and Yakima Valleys and some of their sub-appellations.
The relatively cool climate of the gorgeous Lake Chelan Valley is unique in Washington because most of the wine comes from much warmer wine growing regions. This beautiful region is located in north central Washington and now offers more than thirty wineries.
Lake Chelan’s 50-mile length acts as a natural conduit between the rugged mountain peaks up-lake and the lush, fertile down-lake valley. Consistently ranked as one of the most pristine waters in the United States, at 1,486 feet, Lake Chelan is the third deepest lake in the nation.
Lake Chelan is the 11th AVA (American Viticultural Area) in Washington State.
Designated as an official American Viticulture Area (AVA) in 2009, Lake Chelan offers a one-of-a-kind wine tasting experience featuring wineries hugging the shores of a breathtaking lake. Many of the wineries in the Lake Chelan appellation (a sub-appellation of the Columbia Valley AVA) leave their doors open year-round.
I visited the Lake Chelan Wineries on my way to British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley wineries in Canada. Both of these wine regions were truly spectacular Vino con Vista Destinations!
Due to increased demand for cooler-climate wines, sites like Lake Chelan, Snipes Mountain, and especially the Columbia Gorge have seen increased plantings across a wide range of varietals.
At wineries like Vin du Lac in Lake Chelan, they focus primarily on Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Riesling and Gewurztraminer.
Check out their onsite gourmet bistro with the vintner and proprietor, Larry Lehmbecker for a spectacular Vino con Vista from the bistro patio.
More recently in the Lake Chelan Valley, growers have planted vineyards in the area with Syrah, Merlot, Malbec, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, as well as more Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The Valley has historically been a prime apple-growing region with warm days and cool nights and temperatures moderated by the deep waters of Lake Chelan.
http://assets.winespectator.com/wso/Maps/Washingtonmap.pdf
Dr. EveAnn Lovero writes Travel Guides @ http://www.vino-con-vista.com
Here are some interesting Washington Wine Facts:
| Grapes Harvested2017 – 227,000 tons 57% Red | 43% White2016 – 270,000 tons 2015 – 222,000 tons 2014 – 227,000 tons 2013 – 210,000 tons 2012 – 188,000 tons 2011 – 142,000 tons 2010 – 156,000 tons 2009 – 165,000 tons 2008 – 145,000 tons 2007 – 127,150 tons 2006 – 120,500 tons 2005 – 110,000 tons 2004 – 107,000 tons 2002 – 115,00 tons 2000 – 90,000 tons 1995 – 62,000 tons 1990 – 38,000 tons
Reds: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot,
Aligoté, Barbera, Chenin Blanc, Cinsault, Wine Production 17.5 million cases in 2017 Industry’s Statewide Economic Impact Washington State’s wine industry had a
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* Ranks 2nd nationally in premium * Averages 17.4 hours of sunlight per * Washington’s wine industry has a Number of Licensed Wineries
2015 – 860 Vinifera Acreage in Production 2016 – 60,000+ acres 2015 – 50,000 acres |
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