Washington State

Columbia Gorge - Located in southern Washington State along the Columbia River, this region includes the cool marine influenced Western region where varietals like Pinot Noir, Gewürztraminer, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Riesling are grown.  Inland, the Eastern regions are desert-like in climate and perfect for Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Zinfandel and Barbera.

Columbia Valley - Washington's largest AVA representing one-third of Washington's land mass.  Here is grown 99% of all of Washington's grapes.  The most widely planted grapes are Riesling, Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.  

The Columbia Valley AVA is home to the following AVAs:

Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley - Established in 2012, this became the newest of the 13 AVAs in Washington State. Wine grape have been growing here since the 1980s.  Most vineyards are planted with white varietals such as Riesling, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris. Some reds are planted in the warmer regions such as Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah.

Horse Heaven Hills - Grapes have been growing here since 1972, this Southeastern region represents approximately 25% of Washington's total grape production.  Major grape varietals include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah as well as Riesling and Chardonnay, but there are more than 30 different types of grapes grown here.

Lake Chelan - Established in 2009, this relative newcomer was the 11th AVA. Varieties include Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, Chardonnay, Merlot, Malbec, and Pinot Noir.

Naches Heights - Established in 2011, this became Washington's 12 AVA. This small region has about 40 acres of planted grapes including Riesling, Pinot Gris and Syrah.

Puget Sound - Established in 1995, this is the only AVA in the state of Washington that is located west of the Cascade Mountains and produces Muller Thurgau, Pinot gris, and Pinot Noir.

Rattlesnake Hills - Established in 2006, this AVA produces Riesling, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot and Syrah.

Red Mountain - This AVA is mostly desert climate, growing Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Farnc, Petit Verdo, Merlot, Sangiovese, Malbec and Syrah.

Snipes Mountain - Established in 2009, this is Washington's second smallest AVA although more than 30 different grape varieties are grown.

Wahluke Slope - One of the driest and warmest regions in the state, this AVA's top grapes include Riesling, Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah.

Walla Walla Valley - Established in 1984, this region has been growing grapes since the 1850s. Italian immigrants greatly influenced the grape varieties here which include Sangiovese, Grenache, Tempranillo, Semillion and Viognier.  Other grapes include Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc Merlot and Syrah.

The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater - Established 2015, producing Cabernet Franc, Grenache, Malbec, Syrah, Tempranillo and Viognier

Yakima Valley - Washington's first AVA, established in 1983.  Major grape planting include Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Others include Riesling and Syrah.

Candy Mountain (Proposed) - This small hill in Richland, near Red Mountain, is entirely within the Yakima Valley AVA. At about 900 acres, Candy Mountain would be among the smallest AVAs in the Pacific Northwest

The Burn of the Columbia Valley (Proposed) - This region is between the Horse Heaven Hills and the Columbia Gorge AVAs. The name comes from the legend that early settlers set fire to the grasslands to recharge the soil. The region has more than 1,200 acres of vineyards, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Chardonnay, Malbec and Sangiovese.

Goose Gap (Proposed) - The Monson family’s Goose Ridge Vineyard near Richland is about 4,000 acres, making it the largest contiguous wine grape vineyard in Washington and the inspiration for the Goose Gap AVA.

Puget Sound - The Puget Sound area experiences freezing temperatures in winter and mild, dry summers.  This unique climate is host to Madeleine Angevine, Siegerebbe and Muller-Thurgau, although Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir are showing promise.

Rocky Reach (Proposed) - This AVA would span both banks of the Columbia River from Wenatchee nearly to Lake Chelan. The Columbia River cuts through the bedrock here, making this an unusual growing area. About 300 acres of wine grapes — primarily Bordeaux and Rhone varieties — are planted here, many of them by the Dufenhorst family of Rocky Pond Winery.

Royal Slope (Proposed) - North of the Wahluke Slope and the community of Mattawa is the Royal Slope, a south-facing feature known for late-ripening red grapes, resulting in particularly interesting Cabernet Sauvignon. With nearly 2,000 acres already planted within the proposed 14,000-acre AVA, this is a well-established growing region.

Wanapum Village (Proposed) - This AVA near Sentinel Gap and Beverly has about 350 acres of vineyards, most of them owned by Chelan-based Zirkle Fruit Co., which also operates Four Feathers Wine Estates in Prosser.

White Bluffs (Proposed) - Named for the former farming community and for the distinctive cliffs overlooking the Columbia River, this proposed AVA is known to be among Washington's best growing areas. More than 1,200 acres of wine grapes are planted here, including Sagemoor Vineyard group’s Sagemoor, Gamache, Bacchus and Dionysus. Sagemoor was first planted in 1972 on the recommendation of Walter Clore, hailed as "the father of Washington Wine." It was the state's first commercial vineyard, and it continues to provide grapes to more than 100 wineries.