Wine From Washington State

More than 20 different grape varieties are grown in Washington, a state that surprisingly touts its “perfect climate for wine” given the state’s reputation for copious rainfall. This fact may be less surprising when you consider that Washington’s latitude is equivalent to that of such famous wine-producing regions as Bordeaux and Burgundy in France. All but 60 acres of Washington’s vines are grown in Eastern Washington, an arid semi-desert area east of the high Cascade Mountains. Like Bordeaux and Burgundy, this portion of Washington receives up to 17 hours of sunshine a day during the summer.

The History of Wine in Washington State
The first vines were planted at Fort Vancouver, an outpost of the Hudson Bay Company, in 1825. In the early 20th Century, irrigation brought to life the wine-growing potential of the rich volcanic soils of eastern Washington State. Italian and German varietals were planted in the Yakima and Columbia valleys, vastly increasing wine-grape acreage.

More and more acres were planted through the early 1900s, but Washington didn’t really develop a commercial wine industry until the 1960s and ’70s. Although still considered a new wine region, today, there are more than 350 wineries in Washington, and a new winery opens in Washington State every few weeks. There appears to be no end in sight to the growth of the wine industry here, and Washington has a multitude of microclimates to exploit.

Washington’s Wine-Growing Regions
Washington contains six distinct wine-growing regions, called American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) a.k.a. appellations. Five are to the east of the Cascade Mountains, and one, the Puget Sound AVA, is to the west. Convenient to Seattle, and set against the dramatic backdrop of the Cascade Mountains, the Puget Sound AVA is the most enticing of Washington’s grape-growing regions for a wine-country vacation.

The immense Columbia Valley is home to most of Washington’s vineyards; the Columbia Valley AVA is divided into several AVAs–the Yakima Valley in the west, which also contains the Red Mountain AVA, and Walla Wall in the east. The fifth AVA in the area is known as the Columbia Gorge AVA. European varietals such as Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon do well here, and an even ripening season contributes to the development of high quality, complex wines. The finest expressions can be found in Merlot and Cabernet blends, as well as Syrahs, Sangioveses and Cabernet Francs.

These blends are highly concentrated, infused with the lush rich berry flavors of the Pacific Northwest. Think blueberry jam. As far as whites go, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Viognier, Riesling and Semillon top the list.

To learn about Women & Wine wine country travel in Washington, click here.

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