Washington State

Federal state in the extreme northwest of the USA, located on the Pacific coast. The capital is Olympia. It was only settled by Whites as of 1810. In the south, it borders on Oregon, on Canada in the north, and on Idaho in the east. Viticulture on a commercial scale has only been practised since the mid-20th century. After the ending of Prohibition in the USA (1920-1933), the dominant grape variety by far was the historic Concord, which is still planted today, although it is now used primarily fort he production of table grapes and grape juice. The following regions are classified as AVAÂ’s: Columbia Gorge (also in Oregon), Columbia Valley (also in Oregon), Horse Heaven Hills, Puget Sound, Rattlesnake Hills, Red Mountain, Wahluke Slope, Walla Walla Valley (also in Oregon) and Yakima Valley. The vineyard area totals around 12.000 hectares. In the west, the climate on the Pacific coast is mild and humid, with mainly white varieties planted in the small AVA Puget Sound located here. The main wine-growing region, Columbia Valley, is located in the east, behind the Cascade Mountains, which go up to an altitude of 4.400 metres. More than 95% of the total vineyard area is located here. This arid, desert-like region has dry hot summers and Arctic cold winters. The low rainfall means that irrigation must be implemented, with water drawn from the Columbia River, Snake River and Yakima River.

Washington has established itself as the second most important wine-producing state after California in terms of quality wines made from European grape varieties. Predominantly European varieties are grown here, and are mostly used to produce varietal wines. Many of the vines are ungrafted, as phylloxera has not yet spread to the region. Varieties planted include Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay (the leading white variety), Chenin Blanc, Lemberger, Merlot (the leading red variety), Müller-Thurgau, Pinot Noir, Riesling (second-placed white variety), Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc, Sangiovese, Sémillon, Siegerrebe and Syrah. Excellent Bordeaux-style red blends are also produced. There are around 100 producing wineries. The largest operation is the Stimson Lane Company (subsidiary of American Tobacco Company), which owns around a third of the vineyard area, including many of the leading estates. Well-known producers include Bookwalter, Canoe Ridge, Château Sainte-Michelle, Columbia Crest, Columbia Winery, DeLille Cellars, Dunham Cellars, Glen Fiona, Hedges Cellars, Hogue Cellars, Leonetti Cellar, L´Ecole No 41, Quilceda Creek Vintners (the cellarmaster her eis the nephew of the legendary André Tchelistcheff), Reininger, Walla Walla Vintners, Washington Hills Cellars (with the Apex prestige label), Waterbrook and Woodward Canyon. In April 2007, Sweet Valley Wines became the 500th registered wine estate in Washington state. This puts the state firmly in second position, behind California with more than 2000 wineries, and with Oregon in third place, with around 300 wineries.