Washington State

Question 1

Washington State main climatic feature.

Answer 1

Cascade Mountains rain shadow effect.

Question 2

History of Washington State.

Answer 2

1. Hudson Bay Company plants in 1825. Then hybrids arrive.
2. 1903 large scale irrigation from melted snow from Cascade Mountains. Italians and German immigrants arrive in Washington State.
3. Big growth after prohibition.
4. 1969 House Bill 100 permits sales outside the state.
5. Andre Tchelistcheff helps Chateau Ste. Michelle to plant vinifera. Now producers half of state production.

Question 3

Main varieties planted in Washington State.

Answer 3

1. Cabernet Sauvignon.
2. Merlot.
3. Chardonnay. (till now everything with lots of oak).
4. Riesling (generally off-dry now also sweeter styles).
5. Syrah (large oak and whole bunch).

Question 4

AVAs inside Columbia Valley AVA.

Answer 4

1. Yakima Valley (Red Mountain/Rattlesnake/Snipes Mountain).
2. Horse Heaven Hills.
3. Wahluke Slope.
4. Walla Walla Valley.

Question 5

How big is Columbia Valley AVA.

Answer 5

1/3 of Washington State.
99% of plantings are here.

Question 6

Why a producer should use Columbia Valley AVA in label?

Answer 6

1. If you have a vineyard outside one of the sub AVAs.
2. For blends of different sub-AVAs.

Question 7

Columbia Valley climate and growing seasons lenght.

Answer 7

1. Continental.
2. Long growing season. Hot summer, cooler autumn (slows down ripening).
3. High diurnal range (retain acidity).
4. Cascade Range rain shadow effect. Low rainfall (200mm).

Question 8

Soils of Columbia Valley AVA.

Answer 8

Basalt bedrock on sandy topsoils.
Mostly planted on ridges slopes.

Missoula flood events, volcanic activity and glacial movement.

Question 9

Irrigation sources in Columbia Valley.

Answer 9

Essential. Very hot.

1. Columbia River + tributaries
2. Underground aquifers.

Drip and overhead spraying.

Question 10

Main hazards in Columbia Valley.

Answer 10

1. Frost.
2. Winter freeze.

Low rainfall means low diseases and pest pressure (less pesticides).

Question 11

Yakima Valley different sites.

Answer 11

Warmer (Red Mountain).
Colder (Rattlesnake).

Question 12

Horse Heavens Hills and Wahluke Slopes most important climatic specs.

Answer 12

Strong winds protect vines from frosts. Longer growing seasons (Cab does well here).

Question 13

Why Walla Walla is growing rapidly? Climatic specs.

Answer 13

It has a lot of different climates. Blue Mountain Foothills.

East side - cool, wet.
West side - hot, dry.

Many varietals from Italy, Span and Rhone.

Question 14

AVAs outside Columbia Valley.

Answer 14

1. Columbia Gorge (also Oregon).
2. Puget Sound (warm, dry with high rainfall 1500mm, Muller, Pinot Gris/Noir)

Question 15

How big is the production of Washington State.

Answer 15

2nd producer of the country after California.

Question 16

Where is Washington State Wine sold?

Answer 16

In state, through cellar doors.
Export is really small (Canada, UK, Japan),