Columbia Valley AVA

Coordinates: 46°21′20″N 119°54′24″W / 46.35558267°N 119.90666930°W / 46.35558267; -119.90666930
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This article refers to the wine appellation in the United States. For the Columbia Valley in British Columbia, Canada, see Columbia Valley

Columbia Valley
Oregon south of the Columbia River
.

Columbia Valley is an

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury on December 13, 1984 after evaluating the petition filed by Drs, Walter Clore and Wade Wolfe of Prosser, Washington on behalf of Washington’s oldest and largest winery, Chateau Ste. Michelle, and by William Blosser of the Sokol Blosser Winery, Dundee, Oregon. Allen Shoup, president of Chateau Ste. Michelle, understood the importance of obtaining appellation status to grow the reputation of the Northwest viticulture industry.[3][4]

Columbia Valley's geography covers approximately 23,000 square miles (14,720,000 acres) extending 185 miles (298 km) from the east to west and 200 miles (322 km) from north to south. ATF included the entire valley within the viticultural area except the portion between Banks Lake and the Snake River. Therefore, the Columbia Valley appellation encompasses 18,000 square miles (11,520,000 acres).[1]

Columbia Valley viticultural area is the largest

wine region in Washington containing about 99% of the state's viticulture acreage of over 59,000 acres (23,876 ha) and seventeen appellations currently within its boundary.[2][5] Grapes grown here include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Riesling, Syrah, Pinot Gris, and Sauvignon blanc. Concord grapes and other Vitis labrusca grapes are grown in the region as well. The unique climates of the area allow the Columbia Valley to produce wines that are very fruit-forward, like California wine, but which also retain some of the balance and structure of European wine.[5]

Name

The name “Columbia Valley" was derived from the river that flows through and defines the region. In 1792, the river was named after the American-built 212-ton

fully-rigged ship "Columbia Rediviva" commanded by Captain Robert Gray when he discovered the river mouth on the Pacific coast and navigated into it. In 1804-1806, the Lewis and Clark Pacific Expedition explored and mapped the area, as their maps detail both the Columbia River and the Columbia Valley. Later, other explorers and pioneers referred to the treeless basin in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho as the “Columbia Valley”, “Columbia Plain”, “Great Columbia Plain”, “ Columbia Plateau”, “Columbia Basin” and “Inland Empire.” The term “Columbia Valley” is widely used today to refer to the viticultural area, and appears in literature, magazines, newspapers, and illustrated in maps.[1]

History

Grapes are not indigenous to the Columbia Valley viticultural area, but both Vinifera and Labruscavines are grown. The oldest planted Vinifera vines still in existence were planted by German immigrants in the Tampico vicinity, west of Union Gap, in 1871. Others were planted in the Kennewick area in 1895, and in the Walla Walla area by 1899. Planting of premium Vinifera grapes began in the Columbia Valley in the mid 1960’s. By 1981 there were over 6,610 acres (2,675 ha) of Vinifera grapes including 2,700 acres (1,093 ha) of bearing vineyards. Predominant varieties include White Riesling, Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Gewurztraminer, Merlot, Semilion, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscat, Pinot Noir, and Grenache. Nearly 20,000 acres (8,094 ha) of Concord grapes also grow within the appellation, but are not used for wine production.[1]

Terroir

The Columbia River, viewed from The Gorge Amphitheatre in George, Wash., is the heart of the Columbia Valley AVA

Topography

The Columbia Valley is a large, treeless basin surrounding the Yakima, Snake and Columbia Rivers in Washington and Oregon while all surrounding areas are forested. The area is distinguished by its broadly undulating or rolling surface, cut by rivers and broken by long sloping basaltic uplifts extending generally in an east-west direction. The area is dominated by its major rivers. The

volcanic and sandy loam soil of the valley offers good drainage and is poor in nutrients, ideal in forcing the vine to concentrate its resources into the grape clusters.[6]

Seventeen appellations currently designate separate viticultural areas with their unique properties within the vast Columbia Valley area but share common characteristics. They are Ancient Lakes of the Columbia Valley, Candy Mountain, Goose Gap, Horse Heaven Hills, Rattlesnake Hills, Lake Chelan, Naches Heights, Red Mountain, The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater, Rocky Reach, Rocky Slope, Snipes Mountain, The Burn of Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley, Wahluke Slope and Yakima Valley. North of the Rattlesnake Hills is a region commonly known as Columbia Cascade, but it is not a recognized American viticultural area.[3] Other distinctive wine growing regions that have not yet partitioned for AVA status include the Othello region located in Adams County and the Tri-Cities area around the towns of Kennewick, Pasco and Richland.[5]

Climate

Columbia Valley Chardonnay

Climate differentiates the Columbia Valley viticultural area from surrounding areas. In general, the Columbia Valley viticultural area is characterized as experiencing a growing season of over 150 days, a total degree day average of over 2,000, and annual rainfall of 15 inches (381 mm) or less.[1] Most of the land in the Oregon portion of the Columbia Valley is located on north facing slopes. This differs from Washington State where nearly all vineyards are located on south facing slopes. This difference makes the Oregon portion of the valley physically and climatologically distinct from Washington.

The vast size of the appellation allows for an array of diverse

tannins as well as other aroma and profile characteristics that will be brought out in the resulting wines. The longer growing season also allows the grapes to be harvested at a cooler temperature than in other more southerly wine regions.[5]
Deep winter freezes are the main climate threat to the grape growing industry of the Columbia Valley. Temperatures can drop from 40 °F (4 °C) to less than 0 °F (−18 °C) in a matter of hours. Many vineyards incorporate wind turbines to maintain air circulation around the grapes and stay warm enough to prevent frost. In most years, the vines enter into a long winter dormancy rather than freeze, which helps the vines come out of the winter and into the growing season healthier.[6]

Growing season

As outlined in the petitions, frost free days (32 °F (0 °C)) within the Columbia Valley average 150 or more per year. The growing season ranges from a high of 204 days at

Clarkston Heights, Wash.; and 152 days at Moro and Heppner, Oregon. Areas outside the Columbia Valley experience a growing season of less than 150 days with seasons averaging 128 days at Goldendale, Wash.; 132 days at Cle Elum, Wash.; 87 days at Plain, Wash.; 124 days at Colville, Wash.; 121 days at Colfax, Wash.; and 137 days at Dufur, Oregon. The portion of the Columbia Valley lying between the Snake River and Banks Lake was deleted from the viticultural area because it experiences a shorter growing season similar to areas outside the Columbia Valley (Colfax 121 days, Ritzville 137 days, Moses Lake 143 days, Odessa 124 days, Hatton 135 days, Wilson Creek 130 days).[1]

Columbia Valley Late Harvest Semillon

Degree days

Total degree days as measured by the

scale developed by Winkler and Amerine of the University of California, Davis range between 2,000 and 3.000 for areas within the Columbia Valley although some locations experience readings well in excess of 3.000 degree days. Typical readings are 2,636 degree days at Kennewick, Wash.; 2,666 at Sunnyside, Wash.; 2,274 at Yakima; 2,818 at Wenatchee, Wash.; 2,512 at Grand Coulee Dam, Wash.; ,605 at Clarkston Heights, Wash.; 2,881 at Walla Walla (FAA); 3,230 at Richland, Wash.; 3,014 at The Dalles; 2,073 at Moro, Oreg.; 2,040 at Heppner, Oreg.; 3,006 at Milton-Freewater, Oreg.; and 2,711 degree days at Pendleton, Oreg. Surrounding areas experience less than 2,000 degree days with 1,820 at Goldendale, Wash.; 1,678 at Cle Elum, Wash.; and 1,901 degree days at Colville, Washington.[1]

Rainfall

In Columbia Valley, rainfall is less than 15 inches (381 mm) annually, ranging from 6 to 9.9 inches (152.4–251.5 mm) throughout Benton County, Wash., to 10 inches (254 mm) in Wenatchee, Wash.; 15 inches (381 mm) in Walla Walla; 13 inches (330 mm) in Clarkston Heights, Wash.; 14 inches (356 mm) at The Dalles; 12 inches (305 mm) at Moro, Oreg.; 13.5 inches (343 mm) at Milton-Freewater, Oreg.; and 13 inches (330 mm) at Pendleton. Rainfall in surrounding areas is higher, with an annual average of 17 inches (432 mm) at Goldendale, Wash.; 22 inches (559 mm) at Cle Elum, Wash.; 17 inches (432 mm) at Colville, Wash.; and 39 inches (991 mm) at Mill Creek, Washington.[1]

Vineyards use drip irrigation systems to better regulate water vines receive.

Irrigation

See also: Irrigation in viticulture

The rain shadow of the Cascade Range leaves the Columbia Valley with some areas receiving less than 6 inches (15 cm) of annual rainfall. The development of intricate irrigation systems has allowed this area to become a premium grape growing region. Using water from the nearby Columbia, Snake, Yakima and Walla Walla Rivers growers are able to precisely control the timing and amount of water that the vines receive. This control over the vines' potential vigor has a large influence on better yields and fruit quality.[5]

Columbia Valley Viticultural Areas (as of 2023)

See also

References

  1. ^
    Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury: 44895–44899. November 13, 1984. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 13, 2022.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain
    .
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Columbia Valley". Washington State Wine. 2015. Archived from the original on January 9, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d "Columbia Valley (AVA): Appellation Profile". Appellation America. 2024. Archived from the original on July 26, 2018. Retrieved January 30, 2008.
  4. ^ "History". Washington State Wine. Archived from the original on March 31, 2023.
  5. ^
    ISBN 0-9719258-5-2
    .
  6. ^
    ISBN 1-56305-434-5
    .
  7. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury: 14374–14376. April 4, 1983. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 21, 2023.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain
    .
  8. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury: 18543–18546. April 10, 2001. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 18, 2023.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain
    .
  9. ^ "Establishment of the Rattlesnake Hills Viticultural Area (2004R–678P)" (27 CFR 9 [T.D. TTB–43; Re: Notice No. 47] RIN: 1513–AA77 Final Rule). Federal Register. 71 (32). Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau {TTB), Treasury: 8206–8211. February 16, 2006. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 18, 2023.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  10. ^ "Establishment of the Snipes Mountain Viticultural Area (2007R–300P)" (27 CFR 9 [Docket No. TTB–2008–0003; T.D. TTB–73; Re: Notice No. 82] RIN 1513–AB51 Final Rule). Federal Register. 74 (12). Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau {TTB), Treasury: 3422–3425. January 21, 2009. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 18, 2023.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  11. ^ "Establishment of the Goose Gap Viticultural Area" (27 CFR 9 Docket No. TTB–2020–0011; T.D. TTB–170; Ref: Notice No. 196] RIN 1513–AC63 Final Rule). Federal Register. 86 (124). Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau {TTB), Treasury: 34952–34954. July 1, 2021. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 17, 2023.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  12. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury: 4374–4376. February 6, 1984. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 18, 2021.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain
    .
  13. ^ "Establishment of the Horse Heaven Hills Viticultural Area (2002R–103P)" (27 CFR 9 [T.D. TTB–28; Re: Notice No. 27] RIN 1513–AA91 Final Rule). Federal Register. 70 (126). Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau {TTB), Treasury: 38004–38009. July 1, 2005. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 18, 2023.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  14. ^ "Establishment of the Wahluke Slope Viticultural Area (2005R–026P)" (27 CFR 9 [T.D. TTB–40; Re: Notice No. 46] RIN 1513–AB01 Final Rule). Federal Register. 70 (234). Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau {TTB), Treasury: 72707–72710. December 7, 2005. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 18, 2023.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  15. ^ "Establishment of the Lake Chelan Viticultural Area (2007R-103P)" (27 CFR 9 [TTB Docket No. 2008–0006; T.D. TTB–76; Re: Notice No. 87] RIN 1513–AB42 Final Rule). Federal Register. 74 (81). Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau {TTB), Treasury: 19409–19416. April 29, 2009. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 18, 2023.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  16. ^ "Establishment of the Naches Heights Viticultural Area" (27 CFR 9 [Docket No. TTB–2011–0005; T.D. TTB–99; Ref: Notice No. 118] RIN 1513–AB80 Final Rule). Federal Register. 76 (240). Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau {TTB), Treasury: 77696–77699. December 14, 2011. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 18, 2023.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  17. ^ "Establishment of the Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley Viticultural Area" (27 CFR 9 [Docket No. TTB–2012–0003; T.D. TTB–108; Ref: Notice No. 128] RIN 1513–AB85 Final Rule). Federal Register. 77 (202). Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau {TTB), Treasury: 64033–64036. October 18, 2012. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 18, 2023.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  18. ^ "Establishment of The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater Viticultural Area" (27 CFR 9 [Docket No. TTB–2014–0003; T.D. TTB–127; Ref: Notice No. 142] RIN 1513–AC05 Final Rule). Federal Register. 80 (26). Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau {TTB), Treasury: 6902–6906. February 9, 2015. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 18, 2023.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  19. ^ "Establishment of the Royal Slope Viticultural Area" (27 CFR 9 [Docket No. TTB–2019–0008; T.D. TTB–162; Ref: Notice No.186] RIN 1513–AC53 Final Rule). Federal Register. 85 (171). Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau {TTB), Treasury: 54491–54494. September 2, 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 17, 2023.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  20. ^ "Establishment of the Candy Mountain Viticultural Area and Modification of the Yakima Valley Viticultural Area" (27 CFR 9 [Docket No. TTB–2019–0006; T.D. TTB–163; Ref: Notice No. 184] RIN 1513–AC42 Final Rule). Federal Register. 85 (187). Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau {TTB), Treasury: 60358–60362. September 25, 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 17, 2023.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  21. ^ "Establishment of The Burn of Columbia Valley Viticultural Area" (27 CFR 9 [Docket No. TTB–2020–0005; T.D. TTB–168; Ref: Notice No. 190] RIN 1513–AC60 Final Rule). Federal Register. 86 (115). Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau {TTB), Treasury: 32191–32194. June 17, 2021. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 17, 2023.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  22. ^ "Establishment of White Bluffs Viticultural Area" (27 CFR 9 [Docket No. TTB–2020–0004; T.D. TTB–167; Ref: Notice No. 189] RIN 1513–AC57 Final Rule). Federal Register. 86 (115). Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau {TTB), Treasury: 32186–32189. June 17, 2021. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 17, 2023.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  23. ^ "Establishment of the Rocky Reach Viticultural Area" (27 CFR 9 [Docket No. TTB–2021–0006; T.D. TTB–183; Ref: Notice No. 203] RIN 1513–AC83 Final Rule). Federal Register. 87 (107). Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau {TTB), Treasury: 33634–33638. June 3, 2022. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 17, 2023.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.

External links


46°21′20″N 119°54′24″W / 46.35558267°N 119.90666930°W / 46.35558267; -119.90666930


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