Washington Wine Scene

The Scene
Burgundy, Bordeaux, Columbia Valley. What? Though it might seem that this is a game of “Which one does not belong”, this is not the case. The reality of it is these three wine growing regions are all located on the 46th parallel.

Washington may not be the first region to be uttered by a wine connoisseur. The fact is, Washington’s yield of wine and grapes is second in the US only to California. According to the Economic Impact Study in 2006, Washington produced around 20 million gallons of wine from over 31,000 acres of vineyards.

Home to nine growing region-or American Viticultural Areas (AVA’s) to wine experts-Washington produces most of its grapes from the Southeastern/ central area of the state where the weather is dry and the soil rich. These areas include the Yakima Valley, Walla Walla Valley, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain, Columbia Gorge, Horse Heaven Hills, Wahluke Slope, and Rattlesnake Hills. With grapes as its fourth largest fruit crop, Washington is home to over 540 wineries and 350 vineyards. The varietals of grapes are split nearly even at 57% red and 43% white.

Popular Red Wines include: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, and Cabernet Franc. Other reds include Lemberger, Malbec, Sangiovese, Pinot Noir and Zinfandel.

Popular Whites include: Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Gerwurzreaminer, and Semillon. Other Whites include Aligote, Madeleine Angevine, Muscat Canelli, Muller, Thurgau, Pinot Gris, Siegerrebe, Viognier and Roussanne

Climate
A combination of well drained rocky soil, ample irrigation, and longer sunnier days makes Eastern Washington a propitious place to grow grapes. The Cascade Mountains, the states largest chain of mountain, run north and south dividing Washington. The resulting effect is much of the marine moisture form the coast in blocked and a rain shadow is created over the Eastern side of the state. The natural barrier creates a dry, arid climate. This is a climate where grapes can fully ripen; develop complex flavors and pleasing aromatics. With irrigation readily available from the Columbia and Snake Rivers it makes sense that 99% of Washington grapes are grown here.

History
Since the turn of the 19th century grapes have been cultivated in Washington. Starting at Fort Vancouver, grapes spread with the pioneers as they settled more of the area. Large-scale irrigation, fueled by the natural runoff of the Cascades, began in Eastern Washington around 1910.

The arrival of Prohibition in 1920 brought an end to formal wine grape production, but in 1933 when the ban lifted it took only five years for the number of Washington wineries to boom to 42 statewide. Ostensibly wine production had simply gone underground.

The first commercial-scale plantings began in the 1960s. The efforts of the earliest producers, predecessors to today's Columbia Winery and Chateau Ste. Michelle, attracted the attention of wine historian Leon Adams. Adams in turn introduced pioneering enologist Andre Tchelistcheff to Ste. Michelle. It was Tchelistcheff who helped guide Ste. Michelle's early efforts and mentored modern winemaking in the state. The resulting rapid expansion of the industry in the mid 70s is now rivaled by today's breakneck pace, where a new winery opens nearly every 15 days.

The trend for quality wine production-started by a few home winemakers and visionary farmers-has become a respected and influential $3 billion industry. Washington wine is now available in every state and more than 40 countries.