Columbia Valley Wine Regions of Washington State

Taste Regional Differences in Washington Wine at Washington Wineries

Oct 23, 2008

Washington wine country's fastest growing viticulture area now contains six distinct American Viticulture Areas (AVA), unique for their soil, climate and wine flavor.

From the bold tannins of a cabernet to the crisp acidity of a chardonnay, wine lovers can taste, sip and drink your way through Washington wineries while savoring the difference in terroir, the environmental conditions that affect grape development and flavor profiles. With 300 days of sunshine a year, eastern Washington is a year-round destination and a great place to celebrate the changing seasons.

While a majority of Washington wines are labeled as "Columbia Valley", wine from a particular Columbia Valley appellation will offer nuanced tasting notes and balance found only amongst wines from a specific location. These six are just a short 2.5 hour drive from Seattle, Portland or Spokane.

Washington Wine Country Centered in Yakima Valley, Washington State's First Appellation

Washington state's oldest appellation contains over 1/3 of Washington’s vineyards and 50 wineries. Located along the I-82 corridor between Yakima and Prosser, the warm days and cool nights provide wines from Yakima Valley with a nice balance between fruit flavor and acidity. Visit the Yakima Valley appellation for chardonnay, merlot and cabernet sauvignon.

One of the newest regions to acquire AVA status, Rattle Snake Hills is situated within the larger Yakima Valley AVA and encompasses the hillside running north of Zillah. Much of this area’s acreage is covered in cabernet sauvignon, malbec or merlot. Fifteen Rattle Snake Hills wineries have tasting rooms open the public, and 90 minute vineyard and winery tours are offered every Sunday morning. Call 888.375.RHWT (7498) for tour reservations.

Though home to only 700 acres of vine, the smallest appellation in the state of Washington is particularly well suited to bold, red varietals like cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, syrah and merlot. The southwest facing slopes above Benton City receive considerably more sunlight and warmer temperatures than other hillsides in the area, leading a full-bodied red wine with intense berry flavors and smooth tannins. Fourteen Washington wineries are now in this region, seven of which are open to the public.

Horse Heaven Hills Home to Columbia Crest, Washington State's Largest Winery

Situated on the hills overlooking the Yakima Valley this AVA hosts a mere five wineries, including the largest winery in Washington, Columbia Crest, but locals speak of this region as one of the rising stars in the wine-world. Strong winds off the Columbia River, which bounds the region to the south, ravage the south-slopping vines leading to grapes with tougher skin and more concentrated flavor. Of particular note are Horse Heaven Hill's chardonnay with merlot, syrah and cabernet sauvignon rounding out the harvest.

When the prehistoric ice dams broke and flood-waters sweep across much of Central Washington, silt and sand deposits would eventually create idea growing conditions for drainage loving grape-vines. Combine that with some of the warmest weather in the state, and the Wahluke Slope is celebrated for the concentrated flavors found in merlot and cabernet franc. Currently with only two wineries, one open to the public, the Wahluke Slope continues to grow.

Walla Walla Valley Called "Wine Destination of the Year" by Sunset Magazine in 2005

Located on the same latitude as the Bordeaux region of France, the long days and cool nights allow for grapes to hang on the vine longer in the Walla Walla Valley than in other regions, concentrating the sugars in the grapes grown. Although many of Walla Walla's wineries blend their wines with grapes from elsewhere in the state, wines produced exclusively with Walla Walla grapes will exhibit influences from the lava and basalt bedrock. Over 70 Washington state wineries call the Walla Walla Valley home, leading to plenty of opportunities to taste the region’s subtle differences.

1. Experience Yakima Valley Wine Country. Yakima: Wine Yakima Valley Association, 2007.

The copyright of the article Columbia Valley Wine Regions of Washington State in North American Culinary Travel is owned by Stephanie Jolly. Permission to republish Columbia Valley Wine Regions of Washington State in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.