Goose Gap AVA
Wine region | |
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Type | American Viticultural Area |
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Year established | 2021[1] |
Years of wine industry | 26[2] |
Country | United States |
Part of | Washington, Columbia Valley AVA, Yakima Valley AVA |
Other regions in Washington, Columbia Valley AVA, Yakima Valley AVA | Candy Mountain AVA, Rattlesnake Hills AVA , Red Mountain AVA, Snipes Mountain AVA |
Precipitation (annual average) | 6 in (152 mm)[2] |
Soil conditions | Warden series, windblown silt and fine sand overlying Missoula Flood sediment[1] |
Total area | 8,129 acres (13 sq mi)[1] |
Size of planted vineyards | 1,800 acres (728 ha)[1] |
No. of vineyards | 2[1] |
Grapes produced | Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Syrah[3] |
Varietals produced | 16[4] |
No. of wineries | 1[1] |
Goose Gap is the 19th
"
Terroir
Topography
The distinguishing features of the Goose Gap AVA are its geology and
Goose Gap is formed from a
Soil
Five main soil series make up almost 95 percent of the soils in the Goose Gap: Warden, Shano, Kiona, Hezel, and Prosser. The Warden series soils, which make up 65 percent of the AVA, consist of wind-blown loess over layered or stratified silts and fine sands, and have rooting depths of 6 feet (2 m) or more with no hardpans or other root-restrictive layers. Shano soils constitute seven percent of the Goose Gap and are also formed from wind-blown loess and are deep soils with low levels of organic material. Kiona soils make up 9 percent of the AVA and are formed in loess and rubble from fractured basalt. Hezel soils make up seven percent of the AVA and are made of windblown sand over stratified silts and sands. Finally, Prosser soils make up five percent and derive from loess mixed with flood sediments. Prosser soils are generally shallow and overlay fractured basalt bedrock. In comparison, Warden soils are less common in the established Red Mountain AVA to the northwest, the Horse Heaven Hills AVA to the southwest, and in the established Yakima Valley AVA that encompasses Goose Gap. Additionally, Scooteney soils make up almost 11 percent of soils in the established Red Mountain AVA, and Ritzville soils make up almost 30 percent of the soils in the established Horse Heaven Hills AVA, yet both soil series are completely absent from Goose Gap AVA.[1]
Finally, TTB has also determined that the Goose Gap will remain part of the established Yakima Valley AVA. The two AVAs share soils that are a combination of glacial-flood and windborne soils, including the Warden soil series, and rest on Columbia River basalt. However, Goose Gap is unique among the hills of the Yakima Valley AVA in that it has an east–west alignment and plantable north and northeast slopes. Additionally, a major soil series of the Yakima Valley AVA is the Scooteney-Starbuck soil association. However, within the Goose Gap AVA, Scooteney soils are absent, and Starbuck soils make up less than 2 percent of the soils.[1]
Climate
The area shares the unusual terroirs in the state with neighboring Red and Candy Mountain AVAs where southwest facing slopes experience warmer temperatures and more sunlight hours than any other part of the Columbia Valley. 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 northern elevations flowing to the lower river valley moves across the hillside vineyards and keeps the grapes from being overheated. This constant air movement prevents air settling and frost damage to the grapes[10] The area has a desert climate with average annual rainfall of 6 inches (150 mm). During the growing season, daytime temperatures average 90 °F (32 °C) with nighttime temperatures dropping below 50 °F (10 °C).[11] Vineyards rely on irrigation to supply water to the vines allowing viniters to optimize the growth cycle of their grapevines.[12]
Industry
In 1998, Yakima native, renown grower, rancher and founder of Goose Ridge Winery, Arvid Monson, chose to plant grapes on the hills adjacent to
The establishment of the Goose Gap AVA allows vintners to use "Goose Gap", "Yakima Valley", and "Columbia Valley" as appellations of origin for wines made primarily from grapes grown within Goose Gap if the wines meet the eligibility requirements for the appellation. To qualify as an AVA, a wine grape-growing region must be distinguishable by features such as climate, soil, elevation and physical features.[15] Since August 2, 2021, wineries may submit a Certificate of Label Approval (COLA) request to the TTB for a label using Goose Gap AVA as the appellation of origin.[16] "Each AVA is several years in the making, so this is an exciting time for those who make wine from grapes grown within Goose Gap", said Steve Warner, President of the Washington State Wine Commission, "We're ready to start spreading the word about this great region!"[1][4]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "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.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ a b c "Goose Gap AVA". Washington Wine. Washington State Wine Commission Center. 2024. Archived from the original on March 22, 2024. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
- ^ a b "Welcome to the World, Goose Gap AVA!". Wine, Wit, and Wisdom. July 1, 2021. Archived from the original on July 1, 2021. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
- ^ a b "Goose Gap is Washington's 19th American Viticultural Area". Washington Wine. Seattle, Wash: Washington State Wine Commission. June 30, 2021. Archived from the original on March 25, 2024. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
- ^ "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, Treasury: 60358–60362. September 25, 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 17, 2023. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ Degerman, Eric (September 25, 2020). "Sweet 16th AVA in Washington belongs to Candy Mountain". Great Northwest Wine. Archived from the original on January 27, 2023. Retrieved March 29, 2024.
- ^ "Goose Gap". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
- ^ Field Trip Guide to the Columbia River Basalt Group (PDF) (Report). Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. May 2005. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 8, 2006. Retrieved May 31, 2015.
- ISBN 978-0-88192-789-4.
- ISBN 0-9650834-9-7.
- ^ Gaffney, Jacob (April 24, 2000). "Washington Wineries Seek New Appellation". Wine Spectator. Archived from the original on September 6, 2004.
- Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury: 18543–18546. April 10, 2001. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 18, 2023. Retrieved March 28, 2024..
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain
- ^ Hansen, Melissa (December 9, 2014). "Arvid V. Monson 1941 – 2014". Good Fruit Grower. Washington State Fruit Commission. Archived from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
- ^ "Our Hertiage" (Goose Gap AVA). Goose Ridge Vineyards. 2024. Archived from the original on March 26, 2024. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
- ^ "Wine Appellations of Origin" (Requirements for Use). TTB.gov. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB). Archived from the original on March 21, 2022. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
- ^ "Certification/Exemption of Label/Bottle Approval (COLA)". TTB.gov. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB). May 12, 2022. Archived from the original on June 1, 2023. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
External links
- Goose Gap AVA – Washington State Wine Commission
- Goose Ridge Estate Winery
- TTB AVA Map Archived August 12, 2023, at the Wayback Machine