Washington AVAs: An Overview
Wine is full of proper nouns - Bordeaux, Chardonnay, Champagne, Malbec - and it can be hard to keep track of what’s a region and what’s a grape varietal. For the regions of Europe there’s no really good mnemonic; it’s just a matter of practice to learn that Burgundy is a place and Pinot Noir is a grape. Today we’re going to talk about places - specifically, American Viticultural Areas.
Wine enthusiasts have placed high regard on what region a given bottle came from for hundreds of years, and for just as long people have been fighting over the boundaries of wine regions, their various qualities and (of course) which are the most prestigious. This conflict has produced rules to keep everybody on the same page; in Europe, the system of delineating wine regions based on specific geographical and climatic factors is referred to as “appellation of controlled origin,” with levels of distinction granted in accordance with the specificity of the region. In the United States, we use American Viticultural Areas to designate where wine is sourced from, and while there is no formally recognized correlation between the size of the AVA and the quality of the wine, observation suggests a relationship.
In 1983 the Yakima Valley became the first AVA designated in Washington State, followed by the establishment of the Columbia Valley AVA in 1984, encompassing a vast area that extends into neighboring Oregon. As the Washington wine industry grew, more AVAs were recognized, highlighting the diverse microclimates, soils, and elevations that contribute to the individuality of Washington’s wines.
To date there are 20 AVAs recognized in Washington state (as designated by the Washington Wine Commission). Let’s take a quick look at each.
Yakima Valley, est. 1983 - Yakima Valley is Washington’s oldest AVA and is home to over one quarter of the state’s grapevine acreage. This region enjoys abundant sunshine, cool evenings, and diverse microclimates, allowing for a wide range of styles and varietals. Riesling, Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah are among the standout varietals from this AVA.
Columbia valley, est 1984 - Encompassing more than a quarter of the land mass of the state, the Columbia Valley AVA is the largest and most prominent appellation in Washington State. Almost all of Washington’s other growing regions are sub-appellations of the Columbia Valley, and it is home to over 99% of all Washington wine grape acreage. Riesling, Chardonnay, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon are standout varietals from this AVA.
Walla Walla Valley, est 1984 - Located in the southeastern corner of Washington State, the Walla Walla Valley AVA is renowned for its rich soils and distinct mesoclimates influenced by the Blue Mountains. Walla Walla Valley has the highest concentration of wineries in the state and is also home to some of Washington’s oldest wineries. Syrah, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon thrive in this region, yielding wines with depth, structure, and elegant tannins. Walla Walla Valley is a shared appellation with Oregon.
Puget Sound, est 1995 - Washington’s only appellation located west of the Cascade mountains, Puget Sound is unique for Washington in that it has a maritime climate, as opposed to the continental climate of the Columbia Valley, and can get up to 60 inches of annual rainfall. The cool climate creates ideal conditions for white grape varietals such as Madeleine Angevine and Müller-Thurgau. These wines exhibit crisp acidity, delicate aromatics, and flavors that reflect the unique coastal terroir.
Red Mountain, est 2001 - Washington’s warmest appellation, with the region’s south-facing slope soaking up the summer heat, the Red Mountain AVA is renowned for its unique terroir and bold red wines. Cabernet Sauvignon is king in Red Mountain, producing wines with deep color, rich flavors, and structured tannins. Red Mountain wines often exhibit exceptional power, complexity, and age-worthiness.
Columbia Gorge, est 2004 - Spanning both Washington State and Oregon, the stunning landscape of the Columbia Gorge AVA is carved by the Columbia River. This variation allows for a wide range of grape varietals, including Chardonnay, Riesling, and Pinot Gris. The 40 mile gorge is notable for its diverse microclimates ranging from arid, desert-like regions to areas that receive so much rain they are able to grow without irrigation – an extreme rarity in eastern Washington.
Horse Heaven Hills, est 2005 - Nestled in the southern part of Washington State, the Horse Heaven Hills AVA enjoys a warm, desert-like climate with long, sunny days and cool evenings. This AVA is particularly renowned for its exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Chardonnay. Persistent winds through the area help minimize disease pressure and also reduce the risk of frosts and freezes.
Rattlesnake Hills, est 2006 - Located within the larger Yakima Valley AVA, the Rattlesnake Hills AVA is known for its diverse range of grape varietals. The region experiences hot summers, but its higher elevation helps to retain acidity in the grapes. The appellation lies on the south slope of the Rattlesnake Hills and includes the highest point in the Yakima Valley AVA; Rattlesnake Mountain.
Wahluke Slope, est 2006 - Situated along the eastern edge of the Columbia Valley AVA, Wahluke Slope is a large alluvial fan that stretches down to the Columbia River. This region is particularly well-suited for red grape varietals, including Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The wines produced here display intense flavors, deep color, and well-rounded tannins.
Snipes Mountain, est 2009 - Also located inside the Yakima Valley AVA, the Snipes Mountain AVA contains unique soils from an ancestral riverbed of the Columbia River. With vineyards first planted in the area in 1914, the appellation is home to some of the state’s oldest grapevines.
Lake Chelan, est 2011 - Situated in the picturesque Lake Chelan Valley, this AVA is characterized by its cool climate and granite bedrock (most of the rest of the state has basalt). The lake acts as a moderating influence, extending the growing season and preserving acidity in the grapes. The region is known for producing Pinot Noir, one of the only AVAs in the state to do so.
Naches Heights, est 2011 - Naches Heights AVA is renowned for its high elevation and diverse soils. This young region (with its first Vinifera planting in 2002) benefits from ample sunshine, cool evenings, and excellent air drainage. All of the vines planted in the appellation are biodynamic or organically farmed.
Ancient Lakes, est 2012 - Named for the 35 lakes that dot its surface, the Ancient Lakes AVA is defined by its cooler climate and ancient volcanic soils. Riesling, Chardonnay, and Pinot Gris thrive in this region, producing wines with vibrant acidity, bright fruit flavors, and a pronounced mineral quality.
Lewis-Clark Valley, est 2016 - Straddling the border of Washington State and Idaho, the Lewis-Clark Valley AVA is located in a region known as a “banana belt” due to its higher temperatures relative to surrounding regions. 72% of the total acreage is in Idaho, with 28% in Washington. The region benefits from the cooling effects of the Snake and Clearwater Rivers, creating an ideal climate for grape growing.
Candy Mountain, est 2020 - Also within the Yakima Valley, the Candy Mountain AVA is by far the smallest appellation in Washington, at just 815 acres. The region's particularly warm climate and excellent sun exposure create optimal conditions for red grape cultivation. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah thrive in this AVA.
Royal Slope, est 2020 - Royal Slope AVA is located on the southern side of Ancient Lakes and comprises one large south-facing slope. This region benefits from warm days, cool nights, and a notable diurnal temperature shift. The AVA has a remarkable elevation range of 610-1756 feet above sea level, allowing for a wide range of styles.
Goose Gap, est 2021 - Situated within the Yakima Valley, the Goose Gap AVA is a small but significant viticultural area known for its steep south-facing slope; too steep to plant, in fact, so most plantings are on the north/northeast side of the gap’s ridge crest. Goose Gap is particularly renowned for its Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
The Burn of Columbia Valley, est 2021 - Located within the Columbia Valley AVA, The Burn enjoys greater heat accumulation and rainfall than other nearby AVAs. The Burn's wines (primarily of Cabernet Sauvignon) also benefit from winds up the Columbia River Gorge.
White Bluffs, est 2021 - The White Bluffs AVA encompasses two plateaus that rise above the basin that surrounds them by an average of 200 feet. White Bluffs is particularly known for its Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc, with nearly 1 in 10 Washington wineries sourcing fruit from this AVA.
Rocky Reach, est 2022 - Situated in the central part of Washington State, the Rocky Reach AVA is a newly established viticultural area within the broader Columbia Valley AVA. The nearby Columbia River moderates temperatures and creates favorable growing conditions. Like Lake Chelan, Rocky Reach has crystalline basement bedrock, leading to bright acidity, fruit-forward characteristics, and a touch of minerality in the resulting wines.
I hope you find this guide useful next time you’re staring at a wine label.
Salut, and enjoy Washington wine!
