Washington State

Question 1

Which AVA houses the majority of WA state’s vineyards?

Answer 1

Columbia Valley AVA

Question 2

How many AVAs are in Washington State?

Answer 2

20

Question 3

What unlocked the growing potential of eastern Washington and in what year?

Answer 3

Irrigation from cascade snowmelt in 1903

Question 4

What stagnated winemaking in Washington after prohibition?

Answer 4

Protectionist laws prohibiting wines from outside of the state from being sold within the state. WA winemakers were not forced to compete and had no incentive to improve abilities

Question 5

Chateau Ste Michelle accounts for how much of the state’s production?

Answer 5

Over half

Question 6

Leading planted varieties in Washington include:

Answer 6

Cab sauv
Chardonnay
Riesling
Merlot
Syrah
Sauvignon Blanc

Question 7

Describe the climate of the Columbia Valley AVA

Answer 7

Rain shadow effect from the cascades leaves an arid, desert like area that is continental with hot summers that rapidly cool in fall and cold winters.

Question 8

What is the effect of latitude on the Columbia valley ava?

Answer 8

45-48* N offers about an hour longer of sun that California vineyards

Question 9

Rapid cooling in the fall means grapes

Answer 9

Slow sugar accumulation to allow flavors and tannins to develop

Question 10

Sub AVAs in the Columbia Valley are based upon what topographical features?

Answer 10

Ridges formed where bedrock rose towards the surface creating sloped sites with varying aspects and altitudes

Question 11

What allows for low phylloxera risk?

Answer 11

Sandy soils

Question 12

What are the main hazards of the Columbia valley ava?

Answer 12

Frosts and winter freeze

Question 13

What AVA in Washington is the states largest sub appellation in the Columbia Valley providing 1/3 the states production?

Answer 13

Yakima Valley

Question 14

Main viticulture hazard of Yakima Valley and its mitigation?

Answer 14

Frosts - plant on slopes

Question 15

Four sub AVAs of Yakima Valley

Answer 15

Red Mountain
Rattlesnake Hills
Snipes Mountain
Candy Mountain

Question 16

Most planted variety in Red Mountain and why?

Answer 16

Cab Sauv- SW facing slopes get lots of sun exposure and climate is one of the warmest in WA

Question 17

Dominant variety in Rattlesnake Hills and why?

Answer 17

Riesling- south facing slopes at higher altitudes = sunshine exposure but cooler climate

Question 18

What topographical features in Horse Heaven Hills causes strong winds and how do those winds influence the vines?

Answer 18

The topography slopes towards the Columbia River causing strong winds that protect vines from frosts, extend the potential growing season, and reduce disease pressure

Question 19

1/4 of Washington’s grape production comes from what AVA?

Answer 19

Horse Heaven Hills

Question 20

What are the main varieties of Horse Heave Hills?

Answer 20

2/3 black varieties
Cab, Merlot, Syrah

Chard and Riesling

All full bodied, ripe

Question 21

Wahluke Slope natural factors for grape growing

Answer 21

Warmest/driest in state
South facing slope
Sandy free draining soil necessitates irrigation
Air flow from and slope to Columbia River reduces frost risk and winter freeze

Question 22

The eastern side of this AVA is cooler and wetter due to cool air from the Blue Mountain foothills compared to the drier/warmer western side.

Answer 22

Walla Walla Valley

Question 23

What is the only Washington AVA west of the Cascades?

Answer 23

Puget Sound

Question 24

Predominant grapes of Puget Sound

Answer 24

Cool climate crosses
Madeline Angevine, Muller Thurgau
And Pinot Gris/Noir

Question 25

Routes to market in Washington

Answer 25

Predominantly sold in state
Largest/most iconic wineries/wines distributed nationally
Cellar door - most wineries have offices/tasting rooms near Seattle for tourists