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With 1,000+ wineries specializing in everything from robust Cabernet Sauvignon to delicate Chardonnay and even late-harvest Riesling, it would seem difficult to generalize the common thread that unites Washington’s winemaking community. However, most winemakers and grape growers live and work in small towns that reflect the genuine, humble and hard-working communities of the American West. Tasting rooms are as likely to be in a converted old home as they are to be attached to a state-of-art winery, but they share one thing in common: authenticity.
Because nature has blessed Washington State with ideal viticultural conditions, winemakers here never have to force things in the vineyard. Most roots remain ungrafted because they can be, the intensive use of chemicals is often unnecessary, and the resulting wines are expressive of the terroir from which they originate. Backed by a culture of intensive research, Washington’s wineries offer wines that are as genuine as the people who make them.
Geography
From the sun-kissed vines of the Horse Heaven Hills to the maritime briskness that defines Puget Sound, Washington State’s viticultural areas are myriad and endlessly compelling.
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Much of the magic in Washington wine can be attributed to a simple fact: the state’s climate and soils are hostile to phylloxera, the notorious root louse pest that has plagued vintners the world over. Loose sandy soils deposited by wind and ancient floodwaters—and in some cases, alluvial deposits from these floods—have poor water retention, which are combined with very cold winters and arid summers: three ingredients that are believed to slow phylloxera from propagating.
Because of this fact, most of Washington’s vineyards are currently “own-rooted,” meaning vines flourish on their original rootstock, instead of being grafted to a selected, phylloxera-resistant rootstock. This ensures a clearer pathway for nutrients from soil to grape, and—in the eyes of many winemakers and grape researchers—more expressive wines.
Given the state’s position between the 45th and 49th parallel, its location close to the Pacific Ocean, its soaring Cascade Mountains, and one of North America’s most significant waterways—the Columbia River—the state’s microclimates are diverse and dynamic.
East of the Cascade Mountains in notable AVAs (American Viticultural Areas) such as the Columbia Valley, Horse Heaven Hills, Yakima Valley, Walla Walla Valley and Red Mountain, the climate is continental. Temperatures in spring typically rise gradually (between 50 and 60 degrees) to promote healthy bud breaks, while favorable rain patterns can help resources for the dry summer months. Washington’s northerly latitude provides almost a full hour more of sunlight at the height of summer than in Napa Valley. These warm days and cool nights create a diurnal temperature swing (sometimes varying 40 degrees in a 12-hour period) that is favorable for the development of balanced acidity in the grapes. In fall, just as in spring, the temperature change is gradual, which favors phenolic maturation without marked sugar accumulation in the grapes.
West of the Cascade Mountains, in the Puget Sound AVA, the climate is maritime with cooler temperatures and wetter growing conditions that favor Siegerrebe, Mueller Thurgau, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and other cool-climate varieties. However, this appellation is home to less than one percent of the state’s plantings.
As with winemaking globally, recent vintages have offered Washington winemakers their own set of challenges, but in each case, they’ve risen to the challenge to match the demands of increased warmth, earlier bud breaks and earlier harvests. Of particular note, are the 2014 and 2012 vintages—both lauded for their expressive character, but for different reasons, with 2012’s classic markers appealing to cooler-climate wine enthusiasts, and 2014 satisfying those with more robust tastes. Wines from 2015 reveal the character of a record-setting warm vintage, while 2016—despite its early spring and sweltering May—offers a more classical style. The string of vintages from 2005 to 2008 are still hailed as some of the best in recent history, and are highly sought-after by Washington wine connoisseurs.
History
The story of Washington wine dates back to a vineyard planted at Fort Vancouver in 1825 by the Hudson’s Bay Company. From this modest endeavor sprung forth disparate plantings across the state, particularly in the Yakima and Columbia Valleys. By the 20th century, the impact of French, German, and Italian viticulture could be seen in the grape varieties growing in the state’s burgeoning vineyards, as well as in the winemaking expertise, which reflected one of the most advanced winemaking communities in America.
The 1960s brought the advent of commercial planting—led by the seminal estates Columbia Winery (then called Associated Vintners) and Chateau Ste. Michelle (then known as Ste. Michelle Vintners)—which tapped into Washington’s extensive commitment to viticultural research, fueling explosive growth in the 1970s.
Today, that commitment to research continues, helping to define the future of the state’s wine industry. Annually, the Washington State Wine Commission allocates 25 percent of its budget to advanced research at Washington State University’s Wine Science Center, which has helped winemakers better understand water usage, alternatives to specific pesticides, and vineyard site selection, to name just a few outcomes.
Washington has more than 60,000 acres under vine, a testament to the commercial success of the state’s Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Riesling, as well as bottlings of Merlot, Bordeaux blends, and Syrah. In total, 70+ grape varieties can be found in Washington’s vineyards, and the progressive spirit behind the state’s winemaking industry has resulted in ever-greater variety with each vintage.
The Appellations
Washington has 14 distinct American Viticultural Areas (AVAs), each known for creating unique and high-quality wines.
Ancient Lakes
Located in Central Washington, this appellation lies entirely within the greater Columbia Valley AVA and is known for world-class white wines, particularly Riesling.
Columbia Gorge
White wines from this spectacular region (which straddles the border with Oregon) are reputed for their crisp acidity and delicate nuance.
Columbia Valley
Representing a full one-quarter of Washington’s land mass, the enormous Columbia Valley AVA incorporates almost all of Washington’s AVAs and is known for the state’s big five: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Riesling, and Syrah.
Horse Heaven Hills
Benefiting from one of Washington’s warmer climates, the Horse Heaven Hills are renowned for Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux-style blends of uncompromising robustness.
Lake Chelan
Another sub-appellation of the Columbia Valley, Lake Chelan is defined by the moderating effects of the lake, resulting in good conditions for cooler-climate grapes such as Riesling and Pinot Noir.
Lewis-Clark Valley
While much of this appellation resides in neighboring Idaho, its Washington portion has a “banana belt” climate that is warmer than its surroundings, supporting a number of grape varieties.
Naches Heights
This AVA holds the distinction of having its 13,165 acres entirely farmed either biodynamically, organically, salmon-safe, or some combination of the three.
Puget Sound
The maritime climate of Puget Sound is unique within the realm of Washington’s wine regions, fostering beautiful versions of Siegerrebe, Muller Thurgau, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir, though a mere 100 acres are currently planted.
Rattlesnake Hills
With plantings dating back to 1968, the Rattlesnake Hills have long provided a reliable climate for the development of high-quality Merlot, Riesling, and Cabernet Sauvignon, which are the region’s most widely planted grape varieties.
Red Mountain
Washington’s smallest appellation may very well pack the biggest punch, with boldly tannic Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot defining its reputation.
Snipes Mountain
Home to some of the oldest Cabernet Sauvignon vines in the state, Snipes Mountain is known for its loess soil, which is low in organic matter and results in vines of low vigor and wines of noted concentration.
Yakima Valley
The greater Yakima Valley holds the distinction of being the first federally recognized appellation in the Pacific Northwest. Its Merlot, Chardonnay, and Syrah are often ranked among the best in the state and country.
Wahluke Slope
Situated entirely on an alluvial fan, the 81,000-acre Wahluke Slope has a consistency of soil, slope, and climate that makes its ripe and full-bodied red wines a favorite of consumers.
Walla Walla Valley
Noted for its scenic beauty as well as complex Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon wines, the Walla Walla Valley also has the highest concentration of wineries of any region in Washington.
Key Grape Varieties
Washington state’s varied climate and diversity of soils have long fostered a rich panoply of grapes. To date, some 70+ different wine grape varieties thrive in Washington state vineyards, with plantings split between 65 percent red and 35 percent white. Washington wine growers are progressive in their thinking, and consistently seek out new varieties to match with the state’s winemaking potential.
However, five principal grape varieties make up the majority of production and have helped forge Washington state’s reputation for excellence in winemaking. They continue to offer an evolving story of style and substance.
Cabernet Sauvignon
In Washington State, Cabernet Sauvignon has long found a happy home. Cold winters, gradually warming springs, longer days in summer (thank you, northerly latitude!) and mild autumns mean that this grape—the king of red varieties—can attain a complexity even in youth, that is not often found in other domestic Cabs. Washington State Cabernet Sauvignon is defined by its heady aromas and fruity character, but also minty and herbal tones that lend nuance. Reputed for its ability to mature and age with time, the state’s Cabernet Sauvignon bottlings are often seen as a benchmark in American red wine by critics and consumers alike.
Chardonnay
Unlike the powerful, oaky tones that often define domestic versions, Chardonnay from Washington is marked by crispness, elegance, and balance. Because of Washington’s diurnal temperature swings from day to night throughout the growing season, acidity is perfectly preserved. Add to this an ethos of “less is more” in the winery (winemakers are meticulous about oak usage), and Washington Chardonnay often better suits food pairings than wines from other states.
Merlot
Washington’s second most widely planted variety has long pleased the palates of consumers seeking highly aromatic, robust, and full-bodied red wines. Compared to California Merlot, Washington’s versions tend to be higher in acidity, and slightly higher in alcohol when compared to examples from Bordeaux. In recent years, Merlot’s importance has increased as red blends have taken center stage with consumers. When blended with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, Washington Merlot adds volume and gravitas, as well as notes of cherries, berries, cigar box, and sweet spice.
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Riesling
When it comes to Washington’s international reputation for quality white wines, Riesling is the state’s pioneer. The terroir of Washington—most notably the longer daylight hours and the cool nights to lock in acidity—are ideal for producing highly aromatic, and delicately floral dry Riesling. Uncommonly for the United States, winemakers in Washington can also explore late-harvest Riesling in certain areas where the conditions for botrytis—the noble rot that concentrates sugars—are present in certain vintages.
Syrah
Syrah has experienced a small renaissance with the general public, and from Washington State vintners as well. Of Washington’s red wines, Syrah is the most varied and expressive of terroir. The spectrum of wines includes full-bodied versions where dark fruits lead the way on one end, and savory, leaner versions reminiscent of the Northern Rhône on the other. Because of this exciting variety, Syrah is among Washington’s most dynamic and sought-after grape varieties.
