Wine Regions of
North Central
Washington

     In recent years, Washington's wine industry has become the fastest-growing agricultural sector in the state. The number of  Washington wineries has increased 400% in the last decade, attracting two million annual visitors to Washington wine country and creating a two million dollar wine-tourism industry.

       Located approximately on 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.

       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 on the west side of the Cascades.  Currently, only about 1% of the state's wine grapes are grown here, and just a hand full of Washington wineries produce wines from those grape.  In this cool-climate viticultural area, eastbound marine air masses drift over the ridges of the Coast Range and flow toward the Cascade range.  Clouds must rise to continue their eastward heading, and as they do, cooler air releases most moisture onboard; 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 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.

       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 war, 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 20^th century. 

        The first commercial-scale plantings began in the 1960’s.  Early commercial producers mentored modern winemaking in the 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 every couple of weeks.  The trend started by a few home winemakers and visionary farmers has become a respected and influential industry.