Columbia Valley
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Today Washington is the second
largest producer of wine in the U.S.
The majority of the grapes grown in the state are a product of the
Columbia Valley. The vineyards of the Columbia
Valley AVA—American Viticultural Area—all benefit from unique set of climatic
conditions and geography. In addition
to favorable weather, the area has been blessed with producers and a wine
consuming public that is ready to embrace high-quality wines from outside of the
established areas of California and Oregon’s Willamette Valley.
The origins of the fine wine
industry in Washington are unique, even by American standards. The grapes that started this whole
enterprise were the outgrowth of a couple of guys’ home winemaking hobby. Of course these couple of guys were a couple
of university professors that knew what they were doing. They followed the studies of one Dr. Walter
Clore of Washington State University who researched the best varieties of
grapes to plant in the various climatic conditions of Washington. From there the professors commercialized
their hobby and founded the company that would become Columbia Winery.
The vineyards of the Columbia
Valley, and Washington in general, lie on a broad plateau, in near desert-like
conditions. They owe their lack of
rain—8 inches yearly—to the semi-coastal Cascade Range of mountains, which
collect the majority of the moisture and form a rain shadow that covers much of
eastern Washington State. Though this
may seem like a disadvantage to agriculture, it’s actually a bonus for grape
growers. With these conditions, the
vines struggle and focus their energy on fruit production. Of course this is only successful with
sufficient irrigation—which the numerous tributaries of the Columbia
provide.
Popularity is a fickle thing, and
grape vines are certainly not immune.
The Columbia Valley has seen several waves of grape varieties rise and
fall in favor. The vineyards of the
Columbia Valley are now home to a variety of grapes planted in times of
popularity, from Chardonnay in the 70’s to Merlot in the 80’s and Syrah in the
90’s and recently Cabernet Sauvignon.
Today Merlot and Cabernet are considered the best reds and some very
good Riesling is produced in the Columbia Valley.
Within the Columbia lie several separate,
smaller AVAs: Walla Walla Valley AVA, the Horse Heaven Hills AVA, the Wahluke
Slope AVA, Lake Chelan AVA and the Yakima Valley AVA. You’re likely to find any of these names on a label, otherwise
they can use the Columbia Valley name on the bottle.
