Columbia Gorge Wine Country...
the Rain-Shadow Effect
Columbia Gorge wine country is a great place for taking advantage of
the Cascade Mountains "rain-shadow effect"... a place where you can
explore everything from cool-climate viticulture in the west to warm
desert environs in the east, and all this within a short stretch of
only about 70 miles. The Cascade Mountains rain shadow is the engine
that drives climate between the crest of the Cascades to the small
town of Maryhill, Washington, to the east. When moisture-laden
marine air meets the Cascade Range, it cools as it rises, and its
moisture falls in the form of rain or snow. The further east the air
moves, the less moisture remains; annual rainfall averages go from
75+ inches in the west to nine in the east, creating multiple
climate zones.
Throughout Columbia Gorge wine country, four distinct growing zones
and myriad microclimates emerge from the Cascade Mountains rain
shadow, making it possible to grow more than 40 different grape
varieties throughout throughout the region. That means a
wine-touring plan to this area can include tasting locally grown
wines made from grapes associated with old-world regions of
Burgundy, the Rhone Valley, Bordeaux and others... all within a
short drive of each other.
Columbia Gorge wine country currently consists of growing zones that are sub regions of the
Columbia Gorge
AVA and of the
southwest corner of the Columbia Valley AVA. Use
these overview maps of Columbia Gorge wine country and the chart
below to learn about grapes grown along the area's climate gradient.
