United States: Washington

Question 1

Which winery produces over half of Washington’s production? Which region contains most of Washington’s plantings?

Answer 1

Chateau Ste Michelle

Columbia Valley AVA (99% of plantings)

Question 2

What varieties are dominant in Washington?

Answer 2

None are particularly dominant; almost 70 different varieties are planted
Slightly more black grapes than white, with Cabernet Sauvignon as the top red grape and Chardonnay/Riesling as top white grapes

Question 3

What is the climate like in Washington?

Answer 3

Warm, sunny, dry throughout most of growing regions

Big diurnal range from cold nights

Question 4

What is the mountain range that separates eastern and western Washington, and what does it do for the climate?

Answer 4

Cascade Range

Creates a rain shadow and desert like conditions for eastern Washington

Question 5

What are soils in Washington like?

Answer 5

Complex soils of basalt bedrock with sandy, silty loess and alluvial topsoils; free draining and low in nutrients
Results of several cycles of Missoula floods, volcanic activity, and glacial movement

Question 6

Yakima Valley AVA includes what 3 sub-AVAs?

Answer 6

Red Mountain
Rattlesnake Hills
Snipes Mountain

Question 7

Where is Horse Heaven Hills located, and what kind of wines is it most known for?

Answer 7

Between the Yakima Valley to north and Columbia River to south (border with Oregon)
Mainly black grapes (66%)

Question 8

Where is the Walla Walla Valley AVA located, and what are the two different climate zones there?

Answer 8

Southeast Washington, with almost half the vyd land in Oregon
Western side is drier, warmer; eastern side is cooler, wetter, and higher elevation (huge variety of grapes grown here)

Question 9

What varieties predominate in the Puget Sound AVA in Washington?

Answer 9

Hybrids that can handle the rain and cold, but also Pinot noir and Riesling