Eastern Washington AVAs

Almost all of Eastern Washington’s growing regions are AVAs within the Columbia Valley AVA. The exceptions are the Columbia Gorge AVA, and Lewis-Clark Valley AVA. 

Viticulture in Washington State is deeply influenced by the use of irrigation and the water rights associated with suitable vineyard land. Sourced from the major rivers that run through the area, most vineyards in Eastern Washington are irrigated though some vineyards (especially in the slightly wetter Walla Walla Valley near the Blue Mountains), but some have begun experimenting with dry farming. The ever-present threat of severe winter frost has influenced viticultural practices including the adoption of wind turbines to churn and circulate air in the vineyard.

In the late 20th century, many producers began adapting Russian vine-training techniques for fan-training which promotes better air circulation among the vine so cold air doesn't settle on the vine. Due to the minimal risk exposure to phylloxera, some producers have opted to leave their vines ungrafted on its original rootstock since an exposed graft union is more vulnerable to frost damage. One benefit of the traditionally cold winters is that the grapevines are allowed to go into full dormancy, which allows the vines to shut down and conserve energy that will be vital at the beginning of the new growth cycle for the vine. 

The threat of freezing condition is the main viticultural hazard that vine growers need to concern themselves with since the lack of rainfall during the summer and autumn contribute to the dry, arid conditions that allows most of Washington vineyards to be relatively disease free.

Until recently, there has been very little clonal diversity among the grape varieties grown in Washington. This has led to some critics, such as Hugh Johnson, noting a monotone tendency in some Washington wines that limit their quality and subtlety. Along with many other New World wine regions, viticulture in Washington is highly mechanized with nearly 80% of each year's harvest being mechanically harvested. To accommodate the machine harvest, vineyard rows are widely spaced and usually trained in bilateral cordons. Harvest typically takes place from late September till the end of October.

Ancient Lakes of the Columbia Valley AVA

Established on 17 October 2021, the Ancient Lakes of the Columbia Valley AVA is located in the Columbia Valley and contains more than 162,000 acres in total area.  The Ancient Lakes of the Columbia Valley AVA (referred to locally as the Ancient Lakes AVA) lies on the western edge of the Columbia Basin near the town of Quincy in Washington state. This wine region is entirely included within the larger Columbia Valley AVA.

The average annual precipitation in the Ancient Lakes of the Columbia Valley AVA is 6 inches.  Many vineyards are also located at slightly higher elevations compared to the broader Columbia Valley. For this reason, heat accumulation begins later and tapers off sooner. The appellation’s location also contributes to large diurnal swings that help lock in acidity.

The majority of the Ancient Lakes appellation has a gentle slope of less than 4% going toward its eastern boundary. The Columbia River, which defines the appellation’s western boundary, protects many of the areas from early and late season frost, which can affect nearby regions.

Basalt and caliche rock are unique in their prominence of the soils in the grape growing areas. Missoula floods scoured the area stripping the original top soils along the western edge of the Quincy valley. Large standing pools of water left by the floods created thick deposits of caliche that lay over the basalt. With time, both rock types have fractured and are prominent in the soils.

Quincy loam and windblown loess soils lie over the rocks.  In simplistic terms the soil can be described as fine sand along with silt and sandy loam.  Some sites, have significant deposits of caliche, which is rich in calcium carbonate.

The growing region lies close to the easternmost foothills of the Cascade Mountain range. A strong rain shadow effect gives the area one of the lowest precipitation rates in the Columbia Valley.  Approximately 1,800 acres of the Ancient Lakes of the Columbia Valley AVA is currently planted vineyards.

Deep in the heart of Washington Wine country, white wine grapes represent the bulk of the grape plantings in the growing region and are planted on the higher elevations (avg. 1200–1500') along the Beezley Hills and the Evergreen and Babcock ridges.

White Riesling, Chardonnay, and Pinot Gris are dominant plantings along with red varieties used for rosé-style wines.  Red wine varieties are planted in close proximity to the Columbia River along the benches and exposed basalt cliffs formed by the "cataract effects" of the Missoula floods. This area lies at a lower elevation and is considerably warmer, lending itself to red wine grape production including Syrah, Merlot and others.

Candy Mountain AVA

Established on 24 September 2020, the Candy Mountain AVA is located in south-central Washington, Candy Mountain AVA is wholly contained within the Yakima Valley AVA, which itself is part of the larger Columbia Valley AVA. 

The physical Candy Mountain is part of a series of four mountains in the area, which also include Red Mountain, Badger Mountain, and Little Badger Mountain, that are collectively referred to as ‘the rattles’ due to their alignment with the larger Rattlesnake Mountain.

Candy Mountain AVA lies four miles southeast of Red Mountain AVA and generally has a similar, warm climate to that appellation. Like Red Mountain, it also has higher winds relative to the surrounding area. At 815 total acres, Candy Mountain is Washington’s smallest viticultural region with about 110 acres under vine.

Candy Mountain AVA’s vineyards are located on the southwestern side of the mountain, which has a slope of 2 to 20 degrees. Elevations in the appellation range from 640 to 1,360 feet above sea level, with the upper reaches above the Missoula Floods, a cataclysmic series of floods that define Columbia Valley soils. Candy Mountain AVA is also part of the Yakima Fold Belt, which are uplifts in the land that comprises many of eastern Washington’s viticultural areas. 

Overall, Candy Mountain AVA has a warm growing season despite the high winds.  A very large percentage of the AVA faces to the south, enhancing solar radiation and allowing the soils to warm quickly in the spring.  The AVA is located on an isolated mountain with excellent cold air drainage that rises above lower elevation plains.  The annual precipitation averages 5 inches. 

The soils of Candy Mountain are composed of loess – windblown silt and sand – on top of ice age flood sediment. Soils are generally thin with decreased water holding capacity, allowing growers to stress vines as they see fit during the growing season.  This also lets roots come into contact more easily with the basalt bedrock, which has a different suite of minerals than the topsoil. 

The top grape varietals grown in the Candy Mountain AVA are Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and other red Bordeaux varieties.

Columbia Gorge AVA

Established on 9 May 2004, the Columbia Gorge AVA is located about an hour due east of Vancouver, WA.  The Columbia Gorge AVA’s western boundary is approximately 24 miles east of the crest of the Cascades.  The Columbia Gorge AVA consists of four counties; Hood River and Wasco counties in Oregon, and Skamania and Klickitat counties in Washington.  The region stretches from Hood River, Oregon and Underwood, Washington in the west, to Rowena, Oregon and Lyle, Washington in the east.  It includes the river valleys of the Hood River and Deschutes River in Oregon, and the Klickitat River and White Salmon River in Washington.

The Columbia Gorge AVA is named after a 40-mile area where the Columbia River cuts through basalt bedrock, creating a gorge with a series of ridges and cliffs. It is one Washington’s only growing regions that lies outside of the Columbia Valley appellation, which it abuts. 

As this region lies to the east of the summits of nearby Mount Hood and Mount Adams, it is in rain shadow of these Cascade volcanoes.  This region’s proximity to the Cascade crest, which lies to the west, results in radically different microclimates. Driving west to east, annual rainfall decreases approximately one inch per mile. The western section of the appellation receives an average of 36 inches of rainfall annually, the eastern section a mere 10 inches. 

It is perhaps the most diverse appellation in the state, with dramatic differences east-to- west in precipitation, heat accumulation, and soil composition.  Dams along the Columbia River have tempered the mighty River’s seasonal flow fluctuations and have created a massive thermal mass. This thermal mass and the prevailing wind from the west protect vines from winter’s excessive cold and moderates summer’s heat.

The Columbia Gorge AVA is notable for its diversity, with hot, dry regions to the east as well as cooler areas to the west that receive so much rain vineyards are able to be dry farmed – an extreme rarity in eastern Washington.  Encompassing land on both the Oregon and Washington sides of the Columbia River, the AVA’s climate varies in a three-dimensional way. Proximity to the Columbia River has an effect on the climate. How high a vineyard is located will have a major impact on the grapes.

Elevation of vineyard sites range from sea level to 2,000 feet, greatly impacting the temperature of vineyard sites.  Most of the vineyards planted on the Washington side of the appellation are located on southward facing slopes along the river where they can receive some protection from the winds.

The range of elevations and precipitation lead to varied soil types. Some plantings in the area are on an extinct volcano.  Predominant soils include volcanic, lahar, loess, silt, and sand.

The total size of the Columbia Gorge AVA is over 191,000 acres.  The total area planted to vines is approximately 1,300 acres.  Washington acreage at roughly 381 and Oregon acreage at about 950.

Although only 40-miles long, the region supports growing conditions for over 45 different grape varieties, a truly impressive diversity.  Vineyards in the western Gorge are ideal for cool-climate loving grapes like Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer and Riesling, while the warmer eastern vineyards produce varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Sangiovese, and Zinfandel.

Columbia Valley AVA

Established on 12 November 1984, the large Columbia Valley AVA, covers almost one-fourth of the state and crosses over the border into Oregon.  Within this large AVA are several smaller AVAs including the Ancient Lakes of the Columbia Valley AVA, Horse Heaven Hills AVA, Rattlesnake Hills AVA, Red Mountain AVA, Snipes Mountain AVA, Wahluke Slope AVA, Walla Walla Valley AVA and Yakima Valley AVA.

Encompassing more than a quarter of the state, the Columbia Valley AVA is by far Washington’s largest growing region at 11.5+ million acres. It is home to over 99% of all of Washington’s grape vine acreage.  The boundaries of the AVA extend south from the Okanagan wilderness and include most of the Columbia River Basin extending east along the Snake River to the Idaho border. 

Many of the Columbia Valley's vineyards are planted along a broad, semi-arid plateau at altitudes of 1,000-2,000 feet. The Columbia Valley lies in the rain shadow of the Cascade Mountain range. The low desert region has an arid and semi-arid, continental climate with limited rainfall. Irrigation is therefore required to grow vinifera grapes. However, the Columbia River is one of the largest rivers in the country. This river and its tributaries, along with aquifers, provide ample water for grape growing. 

The climate of the Columbia is continental, like most of Eastern Washington, though a wide range of microclimates exist. Most of these microclimates falling into classifications of Regions I and II on the Winkler scale of heat summation. On average, the Columbia Valley sees over 300 cloudless days per year and experiences no more than 15 inches of rainfall.  In fact, the average annual precipitation is recorded at 6-8 inches. 

The use of irrigation, along with consistently warm, dry temperatures during the growing season, provides growers with a high amount of control over grape development compared to many other regions of the world. This leads to a smaller range of vintage variation and consistently high-quality wines. 

The Columbia Valley’s soils are defined by the Missoula Floods, a series of cataclysmic events that occurred over 15,000 years ago. Most vineyards lie below the floodwaters, with soils of loess— windblown deposits of sand and silt—overlying gravel and slackwater sediment, with basalt forming the bedrock. The variations across the basin provide a diversity of soil types that are well-drained and ideal for viticulture.

Total planted vineyard acreage for the Columbia Valley AVA is about 60,079 acres. Roughly 59,234 acres are found within Washington, and around 850 acres are within Oregon.

The most popular grape varieties found planted in the Columbia Valley AVA are Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Riesling, and Syrah.

Goose Gap AVA

Established on 30 June 2021, the Goose Gap AVA is located in South-central Washington.  It is located within the Yakima Valley AVA, which also lies within the larger Columbia Valley AVA.

The Goose Gap AVA’s name refers to a saddle between Goose Mountain to the west and Badger and Candy Mountains to the east. Goose Gap and Goose Mountain are included within the boundaries of the appellation, which gets its name for being a common pathway for migratory waterfowl.  Goose Gap AVA is 8,129 acres in total size.

The main distinguishing feature of the Goose Gap AVA is the orientation of Goose Mountain’s ridge crest, which runs east-west. By comparison, ridge crests of nearby Red Mountain, Candy Mountain, and Rattlesnake Mountain run northwest to southeast.

The Goose Gap AVA’s southern aspects are generally considered too steep to plant. Most planted acreage is therefore on north-northeast slopes. This stands in sharp contrast to vineyards on Red Mountain and Candy Mountain, which Goose Gap shares borders with. Vineyards in these appellations are largely planted on south-southwest slopes. This difference in aspect means grapes from Goose Gap are typically harvested later than their counterparts in those nearby appellations.

Elevations range from 577 feet above sea level along the southern boundary to 1,339 feet at the top of Goose Mountain, putting the upper reaches above the largest Missoula Floods.  The average annual precipitation is 6 inches.

Almost two-thirds of the soils in Goose Gap AVA are Warden series, windblown silt and fine sand overlying Missoula Flood sediment. This is a considerably higher percentage than surrounding areas.

There are currently 1800 acres of grapevines in production, planted at two vineyards to 16 varieties.  The top planted grape varietals are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Chardonnay.

Horse Heaven Hills AVA

Established on 30 June 2005, the Horse Heaven Hills AVA is located in southeastern Washington, and is part of the larger Columbia Valley AVA. The Horse Heaven Hills AVA borders the Yakima Valley AVA on the north and the Columbia River on the south.  Horse Heaven Hills AVA is roughly 665,600 acres, over 17,082 acres of which are planted to grape vines. 

Many of the best vineyards are planted along the right bank of the Columbia River, though some areas are prone to exposure to winds in excess of 25 miles per hour at which point vines are at risk of shutting down metabolically, thereby hindering the ripening process. However, the wind also serves to toughen grape skins, which can moderate temperatures, increase phenols, and keep the vine's canopy dry which aids in disease control.

Elevations in this AVA range from 200 feet above sea level in the south to 1,800 feet above sea level at the northern boundary. Grapes planted in the south-facing slopes of the Horse Heaven Hills benefit from strong winds that arrive from the west via the Columbia Gorge, reducing the likelihood of rot and fungal diseases.

Pressure differentials cause significant winds in the Horse Heaven Hills. These winds reduce canopy size and toughen grape skins, as well as protect against mold and rot. The nearby Columbia River also has a moderating affect on temperatures, reducing the risk of early and late season frosts, which can be a problem in nearby areas. 

The area has an arid and semi-arid, continental climate. As with almost all areas of eastern Washington, irrigation is therefore required to grow wine grapes.  The average annual precipitation for Horse Heaven Hills AVA is 8 inches.

Located in south-central Washington and part of the larger Columbia Valley, the Horse Heaven Hills AVA is a warm, windy region that is home to over a quarter of Washington’s planted acreage.  The area is among Washington’s warmer growing regions, making it an ideal place for Cabernet Sauvignon which makes up a large percentage of plantings. Many vineyards in the Horse Heaven Hills are planted on south-facing slopes, providing for extended sun exposure.

The soils in the AVA are essentially deep silt-loam over basalt bedrock and gravel.  This breaks down into three main soil types in the area— wind-blown sand and loess, Missoula Flood sediment, and hill slope rubble from the Columbia River basalt bedrock. Each of these provides well-drained soils suitable for farming grape vines. 

The top grape varietals planted in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA are Chardonnay, Riesling, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon.

Lake Chelan AVA

Established on 20 January 2009, the Lake Chelan AVA, located around Lake Chelan in the Columbia Valley AVA in North-central Washington.  The AVA is located on the eastern half of the state in the Columbia Valley AVA. The Lake Chelan AVA region has a higher elevation and unique soil components that differentiate the area from other wine regions of the Columbia Valley AVA located to the south.  Of the 24,040 acres within the AVA's boundaries, only 270 acres are planted with wine grapes.

Lake Chelan is named after a Native American word meaning “deep water.” It is a narrow, 50.5 mile, glacier-carved lake with depths up to 1,486 feet – among the deepest in the country. The average width of the lake is one mile. Lake Chelan is also at the edge of the Cascade Mountain range, with the northern end of the lake in North Cascades National Park. 

Climatically, the appellation is defined by its location at the north-western edge of the Columbia Valley and the ‘lake effect.’ Lake Chelan moderates temperatures, providing cooler summer days and warmer summer nights compared to the surrounding regions. The Lake Chelan AVA also has a somewhat higher elevation – approximately 1,100 feet above sea level – than some southern AVAs within the Columbia Valley AVA. Vineyards are located along the southern and eastern portions of the lake.  The average annual precipitation for the Lake Chelan AVA is 11 inches.

The climate of the Lake Chelan AVA is influenced by the lake itself which creates a "lake effect" that moderates temperatures throughout the growing season and protects against frost damage in winter by re-radiating heat absorbed during the summer in the later months of fall and winter.  This has an effect of extending the "hang time" of the fruit on the vine which allows sugars and acids in the grape to stay in balance as phenols develop that can add complexity to the wine. 

As a growing region, the Lake Chelan appellation is unique from others in eastern Washington in that it lies north of the Missoula Floods, which define the soil types of most of the Columbia Valley.

The Lake Chelan AVA is one of the only Columbia Valley AVAs that does not have basalt bedrock. Unlike almost all of the other AVAs of the Columbia Valley AVA, Lake Chelan AVA has a granitic bedrock as opposed to basalt.  The soils in the AVA are glacial sediments along with ash and pumice.  The glacial sediments have substantial amounts of quartz and mica. 

The appellation’s more northern location and moderate temperatures allow it to excel at cooler climate grapes.  The top grape varietals planted in the Lake Chelan AVA are Syrah, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Merlot, Riesling.

A wide range of other grapes varietals are also planted in the Lake Chelan AVA-including Semillon, Gewurztraminer, Malbec, Orange Muscat, Muscat Blanc, Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc, Petite Syrah, Sangiovese, Viognier, Carmenere, Zinfandel, Tempranillo, Petite Verdot, Tannat, Dolcetto, Pinot Meunier and Barbera.

Lewis-Clark Valley AVA

Established on 19 April 2016, the Lewis-Clark Valley AVA is located in northern part of the state and a contiguous area of southeastern Washington adjacent to the Columbia Valley AVA.  The AVA encompasses the area around the Washington city of Clarkston and the neighboring city, Lewiston, in Idaho.    

The establishment of Lewis-Clark Valley AVA shifted the border of the neighboring Columbia Valley AVA.  The region encompasses 479 square miles (307,000 acres) with nearly 100 acres of grapes currently planted throughout the Lewis-Clark Valley between the Clearwater and mid-Snake Rivers and their tributaries. About 72%, 219,838 acres, is located in Idaho with the rest is in Washington.

The topography consists primarily of deep, V-notched canyons, low plateaus, and bench lands formed by the two rivers.  Vineyard elevations are all below 2,000 feet.  The elevations are lower than the surrounding regions which allows for warmer temperatures and more growing days, with the highest areas of the appellation are all just shy of 2,000 feet above sea level.

These lower elevations play an important role for the success of local viticulture. The climate of Lewis-Clark Valley AVA is particularly cold, with winter temperatures averaging as low as 20°F (-7°F) creating the risk of winter frosts cold enough to kill vines.

The low elevation of vineyard sites is used to create a favorable microclimate for vineyards. By increasing diurnal temperature variation and maximizing sunshine hours with a favorable aspect, grapes are able to ripen to their full potential.  The Lewis-Clark Valley AVA, has the state's lowest elevation vineyards that successfully ripen a wide variety of wine grapes.

Lewis-Clark Valley AVA is further defined by the dominant humus-rich mollisol soils that contrast with the volcanic andisol soils of the surrounding regions.

Grape varieties that grow well in the region include the varietals of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Chardonnay as well as the common Rhône varieties that are popular in the Columbia Valley AVA of Syrah and Viogner. The scale of wine production is small enough that wineries are still experimenting with what varieties will be the most successful, these have included Sauvignon Blanc and Rkatsiteli.

Naches Heights AVA

Established on 13 December 2011, the Naches Heights AVA is contained within the Columbia Valley AVA in South-central Washington.  The Naches Heights AVA is situated between the small towns of Naches, from which it gets its name, and Tieton.  Naches Heights AVA is located just to the west of Yakima City, the seat of Yakima County and Washington State's eighth-largest city by population.  The total size of the Naches Heights AVA is 13,254 acres.  It is the smallest producing AVA in Washington with 50 acres planted to vineyards.

As implied by its name, Naches Heights AVA is located above the city.  Naches Heights AVA is on a plateau, ranging from 1,200 feet to 2,100 feet.  The AVA's average altitude is roughly 1,650 feet above sea level, making this one of the highest AVAs in Washington State.  Increased altitude in a continental climate at such high latitude (46 degrees north) means that temperatures here are very cool indeed.  

This elevation and the AVA’s proximity to the Cascade Mountains make it cooler relative to many other Columbia Valley appellations. This elevation and gentle grade also help colder air drain into lower lying areas, reducing the risk of frost damage.  The climate here is classified on the Koppen scale as semi-arid. Winters are particularly cold, as shown by the December mean temperature of just 28°F and are marked by regular snowfalls in December and January.

Due to its higher elevation, Naches Heights is also wholly above the level of the historic Missoula Floods, a series of repeated, cataclysmic events that defined the soils of the majority of Washington’s grape growing regions.  The AVA’s western proximity, closer to the Cascade Mountains, also lead to higher annual precipitation than the surrounding Columbia Valley AVA.  The average annual precipitation for the Naches Heights AVA is 10-13 inches.

The 'heights' sit on a plateau of volcanic rock which was created by lava flowing down from the Cascade mountains over a million years ago.  Soil of the AVA is a combination of loam and andesite of which has been deteriorated by thousands of years of freezing and thawing. 

Naches Heights AVA is all windblown soil, which continues to accumulate. The soil also contains a significant amount of clay, helping to retain water.  Grapes in this area must be irrigated.

The grape varieties which have shown most promise in the Naches Heights AVA are cool-climate white varieties such as Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer and Cabernet Franc for red wines. The AVA's producers are also experimenting with varieties more often associated with warm climates, such as Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot and Petite Verdot, Tempranillo and Mourvedre.

Rattlesnake Hills AVA

Established on 17 February 2006, the Rattlesnake Hills AVA is located in Yakima County, Washington.  The Rattlesnake Hills AVA is entirely contained within the Yakima Valley AVA, which is in turn is entirely contained within the larger Columbia Valley AVA.  Of the Rattlesnake Hills AVA's 68,500 acres, nearly 1,807 acres are planted with grapevines. 

The Rattlesnake Hills receive their name from their proximity to Rattlesnake Mountain, which itself is named after the Northern Pacific Rattlesnake.  The hills form the northern boundary of Yakima Valley, and the Rattlesnake Hills AVA includes land between the north bank of the Sunnyside Canal and the entirety of the southern slopes of the Rattlesnake Hills between Outlook and the Wapato Dam. 

The Rattlesnake Hills AVA is centered on the city of Zillah. With elevations ranging from 850 feet to 3,085 feet, the Rattlesnake Hills AVA contains the highest point in the Yakima Valley AVA, although vineyard plantings are limited to the lower-lying areas. 

The appellation’s heightened elevation lessens the risk of spring and fall frosts. Additionally, winter temperatures are warmer than the surrounding area, limiting the danger of hard freezes.

Regional temperatures are moderate during the peak growing season but are significantly warmer in winter when compared to other parts of the Columbia Valley (an average of 8-10 degrees Fahrenheit).  The average annual precipitation for the Rattlesnake Hills AVA is 6-12 inches.

The Rattlesnake Hills AVA is generally higher in elevation than the Yakima Valley as a whole.  Notably, vineyards at higher elevations are above the levels of the Missoula Floods, a series of cataclysmic events that define much of the Columbia Valley.  The predominant soil types are silt-loam and loam.  About half of the appellation is underlain by Ellensburg Formation sedimentary deposits - this is sedimentary rock formed from the erosion of rock in the Cascade volcanoes.

As a growing region, Rattlesnake Hills is fairly evenly split between red and white wine grape varieties, with reds having an edge.   The top grape varietals grown in the Rattlesnake Hills AVA are Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Riesling.

Red Mountain AVA

Established on 9 April 2001, the Red Mountain AVA is located in Benton County, in the south-central portion of Washington.  It is part of the Yakima Valley AVA, which in turn is part of the larger Columbia Valley AVA.  Located between Benton City and the City of West Richland, Red Mountain’s name is somewhat of a misnomer as it is neither red nor mountainous, with elevations ranging from 500 feet to 1,500 feet.  The Red Mountain AVA is the second smallest wine region in Washington next to Naches Heights AVA. Of the region's 4,040 acres, about 2,382 acres are planted to grapevines. 

The geography to the northeast features part of the Columbia Basin lowlands where the Columbia River turns southward towards the Saddle Mountains. With elevations ranging from 500 feet to 1,500 feet, the landscape today dominates this area of the lower Yakima Valley. The red color in the name comes from the dark red springtime hue of the drooping brome or "cheatgrass" in the area.

The Red Mountain AVA has one of the most unusual terroirs in the state with the southwest facing slopes documenting warmer temperatures and more sunlight hours than any other part of the Columbia Valley AVA. The nighttime temperatures drop considerably, helping to preserve the acid levels within the grape. At Benton City, the Yakima River flows past the area and provides a moderating effect on the temperature. Cool air from the north, seeking the lower elevation of the river valley, moves downwards across the hillsides planted with vineyards and helps keep the grapes from being overheated. The constant air movement prevents air from settling in the area and allowing frost to damage the grapes.  The area has good air drainage with full southern exposure which allows the wine grapes to maintain increased acidity levels and attain optimal ripeness.

The area has a desert climate with average yearly rainfall of five inches. During the growing season, daytime temperatures average 90 °F with nighttime temperatures dropping below 50 °F.  Vineyards rely on irrigation to supply water to their plants, allowing growers to optimize the growth cycle of their grapevines.

The Missoula floods, a series of massive floods that occurred at the end of the last Ice Age, profoundly affected the soils of Red Mountain. The fast travelling flood waters, estimated at 390 meters tall, would sweep around the east and west edges of Red Mountain, creating powerfully back-eddies. As a result of the back-eddies, sediments were deposited in an irregular manner, creating a heterogeneous soil with a series of gravel lenses. In the 10,000 years since the Missoula floods, wind-blown loess was deposited, creating a thin mantle of dunes that vary in thickness throughout Red Mountain. This has created a series of soils that differ from those of the immediately surrounding area.

The vast majority of the Red Mountain AVA is composed of a gentle slope made up of sandy loam soil or gravel, with high alkalinity (high pH), with the high calcium content.  The soils are low in nutrients along with these high pH levels. This limits the vigor of the vine producing low yields, small canopy and grape berry sizes 50-60% smaller than the varietal norm.

Red Mountain AVA is one of the state’s warmest AVAs, it is also a very dry region compared to other parts of the Columbia Valley AVA, with broad, southwest-facing slopes that soak up the summer sun. Due to warm temperatures, red grape varieties dominate, particularly Cabernet Sauvignon, which makes up 60% of plantings.  The primary Cabernet Sauvignon clone planted is clone #8, which in Red Mountain produces a Cabernet wine similar in profile to a California wine.

The other top grape varieties are Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Syrah and Sangiovese.  The reputation of the wines produced in this area has brought Red Mountain AVA worldwide acclaim. The vineyards in this appellation have produced grapes for some of the most sought after wines in Washington State.

The area is known for producing powerful, tannic red wines. The wines are known for their balance in flavors, with an intense concentration of berry flavors. Compared to the Cabernet Sauvignon produced in other areas of the state, the Cabernets here are more structured than fruit-driven. Grapes from this area are in high demand and vineyards with notable reputations can receive as much as 30% above market price for their crops. 

Rocky Reach AVA

Established on 2 June 2022, the Rocky Reach AVA is located in the central portion of Washington state.  Specifically this AVA is in the northern reaches of the Columbia Valley AVA, south of Lake Chelan and north of Wenatchee. The AVA straddles the Columbia River and is wholly contained within the larger Columbia Valley.  The total size of the Rocky Reach AVA is 32,333 acres with around 120 acres under vine.

In terms of topography, Rocky Reach AVA is located on an area of the Columbia River where the river has eroded a deep canyon. Within this canyon are flat-topped terraces near the valley floor. These flat-topped surfaces are ideal for viticulture and other agriculture and are where most vineyards are currently planted. 

In terms of climate, Rocky Reach AVA is located at low elevations within this valley.  These lower elevations are considerably warmer and have a longer growing season relative to the surrounding mountains and plateaus, allowing wine grapes to ripen.  The average annual precipitation for the Rocky Reach AVA is 11 inches.

The Rocky Reach AVA  has very different soils and bedrock from most of the Columbia Valley AVA.  Rocky Reach AVA has predominantly granitic bedrock, a feature it shares with only Lake Chelan AVA.  While the Rocky Reach AVA has the windblown sand and silt (loess) that is ubiquitous throughout the Columbia Valley AVA, in the Rocky Reach AVA these soils overlie cobblestones and gravels.  The cobblestones on the surface warm quickly and radiate heat to the vines. They also transmit water more efficiently, encouraging vines to root more deeply compared to other areas of Columbia Valley AVA. 

The bedrock is largely composed of metamorphosed sedimentary and igneous rocks. These rocks are silica-rich and dominated by minerals such as quartz and mica. Grapevines planted in Rocky Reach AVA that reach bedrock will therefore interact with a different suite of minerals than vines found elsewhere in the Columbia Valley AVA.

The top grape varietals found in the Rocky Reach AVA are Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot.

Royal Slope AVA

Established on 1 September 2020, the Royal Slope AVA is located in south-central Washington.  The Royal Slope AVA lies between the Quincy Basin and Saddle Mountains, surrounding the town of Royal City. The growing region is wholly contained within the Columbia Valley AVA.  The total size of the Royal Slope AVA is 156,389 acres with 1,900 acres under vine.

Royal Slope is a broad, generally south-facing slope, between Ancient Lakes and Wahluke Slope. This aspect allows grape growers to take advantage of the sun on long summer days. The slope also allows cool weather to drain, extending the growing season. 

Elevation is another key differentiator of the Royal Slope, ranging from 610 feet above sea level in the southeast corner to 1,756 feet at the top of the Frenchmen Hills ridge. The latter is considerably higher than surrounding growing regions. Planting at higher elevations extends the growing season, delays ripening, and also helps retain natural acidity. This variability in elevation also allows a wide range of varieties and styles to excel. 

Compared to the Wahluke Slope, which lies about 15 miles to the south, the Royal Slope is considerably cooler. Compared to the Ancient Lakes appellation, which lies directly to the north and with which it shares a boundary, the Royal Slope is considerably warmer.  The average annual precipitation for the Royal Slope AVA is 6-8 inches.

The soils found within the Royal Slope AVA consist of fine sand along with silt and sandy loam, combined with bedrock basalt.

Wine grape vines were first planted on the Royal Slope in 1983.  The top grape varietals found growing today within the Royal Slope AVA are Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Chardonnay.

Snipes Mountain AVA

Established on 20 January 2009, the Snipes Mountain AVA is located in the Yakima Valley AVA and the Columbia Valley AVA in the south-central portion of Washington State.  It is located above and between the towns of Sunnyside to the east, and Granger to the west. 

At 4,145 acres, it is one of Washington's smaller wine regions, with 859 acres under vine.  The viticultural area also includes Harrison Hill, which lies contiguously east of Snipes Mountain and has similar soil and topography.

Snipes Mountain AVA is less located on a mountain than it is on an anticline ridge, including a peak 1,290 feet high, of the Yakima Fold Belt - a series of geologic folds that define a number of viticultural regions in Washington.  Steep north and south-facing slopes allow cold air to flow downhill, helping to prevent frost damage that occasionally affects nearby regions. These slopes also provide varied aspects for grape growing.

The Snipes Mountain AVA, like much of Eastern Washington, is located in the rain shadow of the Cascade Mountains which contributes to the warm and dry climate of the region.  The average annual precipitation for the Snipes Mountain AVA is 7 inches.

Some of the soils at Snipes Mountain come from an ancestral riverbed of the Columbia River. Many areas of the mountain are covered with fist- and melon-size cobblestones deposited by an ancient flow of the Columbia River.  On top of this is loess—windblown deposits of sand, clay, and silt—over Missoula Flood sediment, with all but the top 90 feet of Snipes Mountain lying below this series of cataclysmic events.  The mountain itself was created by fault activity.

The Snipes Mountain AVA is home to some of the oldest Cabernet Sauvignon plantings in the state.  The top grape varieties are Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

The Burn of Columbia Valley AVA

Established on 16 June 2021, The Burn of Columbia Valley AVA is located in south-central Washington, west of the Horse Heaven Hills AVA and wholly contained within the larger Columbia Valley AVA. 

The total size of The Burn of Columbia Valley AVA is 16,870 acres with about 1,500 acres under vine.  The area within the AVA is situated on a moderately-elevated, gently sloping benchland above the Columbia River. The (generally) southeast-facing slope averages just over 7% grade.

The Burn of Columbia Valley AVA is a warm appellation that acts like a cooler one, due to persistent winds in the area.  The Burn of Columbia Valley AVA is slightly warmer than many of the immediate surrounding areas, with an average of 2763 Growing Degree Days. This is slightly above average for the larger Columbia Valley AVA. 

The Burn of Columbia Valley AVA also accumulates its heat over a longer season.  As a result, the growing season is extended—the grapes in this area are often among the last to be harvested in the state. This lengthy growing season allows for deep flavor development and excellent acid retention in the grapes.

However, due to its proximity to the Columbia Gorge AVA, persistent winds whip through the region. This delays development during the growing season and also reduces canopy and berry size. This makes it seem like a cooler appellation than it actually is, with fruit among the last to come in during harvest. 

The Burn of Columbia Valley AVA is also a slightly wetter region, receiving an average of 8.76 inches of precipitation annually compared to Columbia Valley AVA’s 6-8 inches. 

The soils within The Burn of Columbia Valley AVA—dominated by Walla Walla silt loam—are, in many aspects, similar to those of the surrounding areas.  However, the soils within The Burn of Columbia Valley AVA contain a higher proportion of organic matter and lower levels of sand/sandy loam—and, as a result, the soils of The Burn have higher water- and nutrient-retention capacity. This means that the region has a lower need for supplemental irrigation, a lower need for the use of supplemental vine nutrients, and a reduced risk of winter vine injury as compared to the surrounding areas.

This is a young growing area; while vines have been planted in the area since 2002, the majority of the vines have been planted since 2015. Cabernet Sauvignon is the leading variety, followed by Syrah, Malbec, Chardonnay, and Sangiovese.

Wahluke Slope AVA

Established on 6 December 2005, the Wahluke Slope AVA is located in the Wahluke Slope of Grant County in south-central Washington.  It extends from the Columbia River in the west, the Hanford Site boundary in the southwest, the north bank of the Columbia River on the south up to the Wahluke Slope Wildlife Refuge in the east, and along the Saddle Mountains on the north.

Wahluke Slope AVA is located in south-central Washington by the town of Mattawa.  It is an AVA of the Columbia Valley AVA.  The area is geographically isolated, bordered by the Columbia River, Saddle Mountains, and Hanford Reach National Monument.  

Elevations vary between 425 feet above sea level by the Columbia River, to 1,480 feet, though most vineyards lie below 1,000 feet.  The average annual precipitation of the Wahluke Slope AVA is 6 inches.  The 80,490 acre region features approximately 8,931 acres of vineyards. 

The Wahluke Slope AVA sits on a large alluvial fan, making the soils notably uniform over a large area.  The topsoil is deep, wind-blown sand with a depth, on average, of more than 5 feet.  This provides both ample drainage for grape vines and greater uniformity in plant vigor and ripening than seen in other areas of Washington.

The major distinguishing feature of the Wahluke Slope is its uniformity in aspect, soil type, and climate.  The entire appellation lies on a broad, south-facing slope with a constant, gentle grade of less than 8%.  This, along with the proximity to the Columbia River, helps minimize the risk of frost, which can affect other areas of the state.  The vintage characteristics of the Wahluke slope are very consistent year to year due to the area's reliably dry, warm climate and uniform coarse gravelly sand soils that drain water well.

Wahluke Slope has one of the driest, warmest climates in the state, allowing nearly complete control of vine vigor and ripening through irrigation.  Nearly 15 percent of the total wine grape acreage in the state.  More than three-quarters of the area's production is in red wine grapes—particularly Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah.  The other leading grape varietals planted are Riesling, Chardonnay, and Chenin Blanc.

Walla Walla Valley AVA

Established on 5 February 1984, the Walla Walla Valley AVA is located within Washington state and extends partly into the northeastern corner of Oregon. The wine region is entirely included within the larger Columbia Valley AVA.  The area is named after the Walla Walla river valley.

Two-thirds of the Walla Walla Valley AVA is in Washington and one-third is in Oregon.  The southern part of Walla Walla Valley AVA is the portion that extends into Oregon.  The Walla Walla Valley AVA has roughly 322,794 acres, with nearly 2,933 acres planted to vines, of which 1,672 acres are located within Washington and 1,261 acres within Oregon. 

Elevations across the Walla Walla Valley AVA soar between 400 feet and 2,000 feet above sea level.  Similarly, annual rainfall figures triple from a sparse seven inches at the western end of the valley to a lush 22 inches along the foothills of the Blue Mountains to the east.

The region is generally wetter than the rest of the Columbia Valley AVA, receiving more than 20 inches of rain on average each year. The area between the town of Walla Walla east to the Blue Mountains is the wettest with each mile from the city eastward to the mountains seeing an addition inch of average rainfall. 

The Walla Walla Valley AVA is positioned at latitude 46° N.  In France, latitude 46°N lies midway between Bordeaux and Burgundy the two of the premier wine producing regions.

The 200-day-long growing season is characterized by hot days and cool nights. The valley is prone to sudden shifts in temperature as cold air comes down from the Blue Mountains and is trapped in the Snake and Columbia river valleys. While generally cooler than the surrounding Columbia Valley AVA, temperatures in the winter time can drop to −20 °F. Most of the region is in hardiness zone 7a.

The Walla Walla AVA contains at least four distinct soil profiles scattered across the valley – slackwater terrace, loess, river gravel and flood plain silt.  The majority of Walla Walla's vineyards are located on a combination of slackwater terrace and loess, which provides good drainage for vines.  The silt and volcanic ash that make up the region's loess soils contain remnants from the eruption of Mount Mazama (which also formed the Crater Lake nearly 400 miles away in Oregon).

Below 1200 ft, on the valley floor, the bedrock (basalt) is overlain by ancient gravels, Missoula flood sediments (silt, sand, and gravel), and wind-deposited silt (loess).  Above 1200 ft, in the foothills the bedrock (basalt) is overlain by loess of varying thickness.

The valley’s diversity in climate and soils creates very different presentations in the wines from the southern part of the valley to the foothills of the Blue Mountains to the Mill Creek drainage to the areas to the north. Grape production is dominated by red varieties. 

Cabernet Sauvignon is the most well known and widely planted grape in the area, followed by Merlot, Syrah, Sangiovese, and Cabernet Franc.

White Bluffs AVA

Established on 16 June 2021, the White Bluffs AVA is located in south-central Washington.  It is wholly contained within the Columbia Valley AVA.  White Bluffs AVA lies on a plateau that rises up from Pasco Basin, with the AVA situated to the north of this city.  The plateau is approximately 200 feet above the surrounding area. 

The Columbia River flows south by the appellation’s western boundary, with White Bluffs beginning on the escarpment above the river.  This modest additional elevation, which brings the area from 800 feet above sea level up to about 1,000, allows cool air to drain and helps protect against frosts and freezes.

Along with airflow from the Columbia River, this extends the growing season by an average of 45 days relative to lower lying regions.  Given that frost and freeze events are the Columbia Valley AVA’s Achilles heel, this gives White Bluffs AVA an advantage.  The average annual precipitation for White Bluffs AVA is 6 inches.

Wholly contained within the larger Columbia Valley AVA and spanning 93,738 total acres, White Bluffs AVA has 1,127 acres planted to grape vines.

White Bluffs gets its name from one of the appellation’s distinguishing features – a layer of ancient lakebed sediment that lies underneath windblown silt and Missoula Flood deposits. This sedimentary layer, which is whitish in appearance, is referred to as the Ringold Formation.  The Ringold Formation runs approximately 30 miles, the length of the appellation.

The Ringold Formation can be seen in escarpments by the Columbia River, which provides part of the border of the appellation.  This layer of ancient lakebed sediment means that vines planted in White Bluffs never have an opportunity to interact with the basalt bedrock, unlike almost all other areas of the Columbia Valley AVA. It also means the vines have a different suite of minerals to interact with.  While basalt is rich in iron and magnesium, the Ringold Formation is higher in sodium, potassium, and calcium.

These lakebed sediments have a higher clay content, which impacts water holding capacity, an important factor in a grape growing region where irrigation is vital.

The top grape varietals in the White Bluffs AVA are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Riesling, and Sauvignon Blanc.

Yakima Valley AVA

Established on 3 April 1983, the Yakima Valley AVA is located in south-central Washington. It is an AVA of the Columbia Valley.  The valley gets its name from the Yakama Native American tribe.

The appellation covers 665,600 acres of land that is mostly contained within Yakima County with the eastern edge extending into Benton County.  The cities of Yakima and Prosser are the main commercial centers with many wineries located in or around them.  To the west, Mount Adams dominates the landscape along with the Yakima River on its eastward flow to the Columbia River.

The Yakima Valley AVA's borders include the AVA of the Rattlesnake Hills AVA to the north, the Horse Heaven Hills AVA to the south and Red Mountain AVA forming parts of its eastern boundaries.  The Snipes Mountain AVA also lies within its boundaries. To the west, the Cascade Range forms a natural border and creates a rain shadow over the area which requires the use of irrigation in viticulture.

Yakima Valley AVA is one of Washington’s most diverse growing regions.  It also is the largest AVA of the Columbia Valley AVA, both in total size and planted acreage.  The Yakima River, which bisects the appellation, provides water for irrigation as do local aquifers.  The average annual precipitation for Yakima Valley AVA is 8 inches.

Overall, the temperature of the Yakima Valley AVA is more temperate than the rest of the greater Columbia Valley AVA, with average temperatures being 5 °F to 10 °F cooler.

Like almost all of eastern Washington’s other growing regions, Yakima Valley AVA soils are strongly influenced by the Missoula Floods, which were a series of dramatic cataclysms that occurred over 15,000 years ago. Moderate to deep silt-loam is layered over gravel or directly onto basalt bedrock. This foundation creates well-drained soils that are ideal for irrigated viticulture. 

The Yakima Valley AVA is the oldest agricultural region in the state. The third-largest AVA, with 18,924 acres that are planted to grapevines, the area is responsible for more than 40% of the state's entire wine production.

The most widely planted varietals in the Yakima Valley AVA are Chardonnay, Riesling, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot gris, and Syrah.  

Yakima Valley is one of the few appellations in the state where white varieties are more planted than red, led by Chardonnay and Riesling. The Yakima Valley is notable for having cooler areas toward the foothills of the Cascade Mountains. It also has blazingly hot areas by the center of the Columbia Basin. 

Stretches of cooler terrain in Yakima Valley are home to almost half of the Chardonnay and Riesling grown in the state.  Simultaneously, Yakima Valley’s many warmer sites yield significant percentages of Washington’s best Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah.