 Washington State | |
American Viticultural Areas, or AVAs, are geographical wine grape growing regions in the United States. Their boundaries are defined by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) and established at the request of wineries or other petitioners. Washington State currently has 12 AVAs, with more expected to be added in the near future.
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Greetings!
I hope you enjoy this weeks newsletter from Meritage Wine Agents. Please as always, if you do not want to receive this Enews Letter then please contact us and we will take you off our list. But I would rather you didn't ;) It will come out once a week and will feature some great articles about our wines and other products, which I hope you will find enjoyable. This week features a little primer on Washington State AVA's and a few of the more important regions, including the Wahluke Slope. Also featured this week is a great family run winery, Gilbert Cellars. This winery is located in Yakima WA and produces great Old World French styled wines. Gilbert Cellars has just received accolades for their 2009 Doc Stewart Vineyard single estate Syrah. Wine Spectator has rated the wine a 92. This vintage will be in Alberta next month and be available when the 2008 is sold out. Enjoy the issue and see you next week. Rome AwdeMeritage Wine Agents Ltd.
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Washington State AVA's
Washington State has risen to be one of the more important wine growing regions in the world. Second in size to California in planted vineyards and wine volume in the USA, Washington's importance cannot be understated. There are a total of 12 AVA's or American Viticulture Areas. With time there will be new AVA's added, with more and more areas of the state finding itself under vine. Washington State AVA's: Largest of the AVA's is Columbia Valley, the borders of this AVA also encompass the regions of Red Mountain, Yakima and Walla Walla Valleys, Wahluke Slope, Rattlesnake Hills, Horse Heaven Hills, Snipes Mountain, and Lake Chelan. Columbia Valley AVA has approximately 99% of the States Vines within the AVA, for this reason the State created the sub AVA's to better distinquish the unique growing areas within the region. The first AVA in the State was Yakima Valley, designated in 1983 as a unique vine growing region, which was followed soon after by Columbia Valley AVA and Walla Walla Valley AVA. Of course, vines have been planted in Washington since the early days of settlers, but the first commercial wine producing grapes were generally thought to be around 1950 or so. There are a number of Vineyards in and around the Columbia Valley that currently have vines planted from the 70's. Here are some handy facts of the 12 AVA's of Washington;
YAKIMA VALLEY
Established 1983
- Washington State's first federally-recognized appellation; includes more than 60 wineries.
- Contains 16,042 vineyard acres (6,492 hectares), over one third of Washington's vineyards.
- Most widely planted grape is Chardonnay, followed by Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.
- Riesling and Syrah represent significant acreage, with Syrah in particular on the rise.
- Silt-loam soils predominate allowing proper drainage necessary to keep vine's vigor under control.
- 190 day growing season with annual precipitation of approximately 8 inches (20 cm).
WALLA WALLA VALLEY
Established 1984
- Grape growing began in the Walla Walla Valley in the 1850s by Italian immigrants.
- Nearly 100 wineries and more than 1,600 acres (648 hectares) of vineyards.
- Cabernet Sauvignon is the leading varietal while Merlot, Chardonnay and Syrah are other predominant varieties. Gewurztraminer, Cabernet Franc, Sangiovese, Grenache, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Tempranillo, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillion, and Viognier are also grown.
- Loess derived soils which are essentially unconsolidated, unstratified calcareous silt.
- Growing season of 190 to 220 days, with annual rainfall averaging 12.5 inches (32 cm) per year.
COLUMBIA VALLEY
Established 1984
- Washington's largest viticultural region, covering almost 11 million acres (4,451,700 hectares) which represents a full third of Washington State's land mass.
- The Columbia Valley contains 99% of wine grapes grown in Washington State - 40,050 acres (16,207 hectares).
- 6,851 vineyard acres (2,772.7 hectares) of wine grapes are planted in the Columbia Valley AVA and not included in any other sub-AVAs in Washington.
- Columbia Valley's vast size allows for a number of meso- and micro-climates.
- Vineyards are planted on predominately south-facing slopes, increasing solar radiation in summer and promoting air drainage in winter.
- Riesling, Merlot, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon are the most widely planted varietals.
- Growing season of 180-200 days with annual rainfall averaging 6 to 8 inches (15-20 cm).
PUGET SOUND
Established 1995
- 69 vineyard acres (28 hectares) of vinifera grapes planted.
- There are approximately 45 wineries located within the greater Puget Sound region.
- The temperate climate rarely suffers from prolonged freezes in winter and enjoys long mild and dry summers.
- The core area of this appellation has a growing season that is drier and sunnier than many classic wine grape growing regions in Europe.
- Semi-permeable cemented subsoil allows the deep-rooted vinifera vines to survive the late summer soil water deficit.
- Precipitation averages 15 inches (38cm) to 30 inches per year, mostly falling in the winter dormant season, with a growing season of over 180 days.
- Madeleine Angevine, Siegerebbe and Muller-Thurgau are the predominant varietals.
- Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir also show promise in this appellation.
RED MOUNTAIN
Established 2001
- Established in 2001, located on the eastern edge of the Yakima Valley
- Not necessarily a mountain, more of a steep slope, which faces Southwest near the Yakima River
- Over 1,199 vineyard acres currently planted in the 4,000+ acre area
- More than 15 wineries are located in the Red Mountain AVA, with many additional Washington wineries sourcing grapes from Red Mountain's premiere growers
- Primary grape varieties planted include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Sangiovese, Malbec, and Petit Verdot
- The area has a desert climate with average yearly rainfall of five inches per year. During the growing season daytime temperatures average 90 °F (32 °C) with night time temperatures dropping below 50 °F (10 °C).
COLUMBIA GORGE
Established in 2004
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Includes areas in Washington State and Oregon with more than 20 wineries.
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Area of Columbia Gorge AVA is 191,000 acres, approximately 300 square miles.
- Approximately 500 planted acres of vinifera.
- Located within a National Scenic Area, sixty miles east of Portland/Vancouver.
- The Columbia Gorge wine region is defined by the Columbia River Gorge, a narrow passage that marks the dramatic transition from eastern desert to cool maritime climate as the Columbia River cuts through the Cascade Mountain Range on its way to the Pacific Ocean.
- Western vineyards have a cool, marine influenced climate where it rains 40 inches a year -- ideal for cool-weather loving varietals like Pinot Noir, Gewurztraminer, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Riesling.
- Eastern vineyards have a continental high desert climate with just 10 inches of annual rainfall but plentiful sunshine to ripen hot-weather Bordeaux, Rhone and Italian varietals like Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Zinfandel and Barbera.
- Soils vary just as dramatically as the rain and sunshine; from red from old volcanic mudstone to gray showing fragments of basalt rock.
- Vineyard altitudes vary from near sea level to close to 200
HORSE HEAVEN HILLS
Established in 2005
- Naturally bounded on the north by the Yakima Valley appellation and on the south by the Columbia River.
- Located in Southeast Washington - total area is 570,000 acres (230,679 hectares) of which about 10,130 acres (4,099 hectares) are planted to grapes, representing 25% of Washington's total grape production.
- Primary grape varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Riesling, and Syrah with 37 total varieties planted.
- Proximity to the Columbia River creates 30% more wind while moderating temperature extremes, providing steep south-facing slopes for optimum vineyard locations and providing well-drained, sandy-loam soils.
- Elevations range from 1,800 feet at the area's northern boundary to 300 feet at its southern.
- Growers have raised grapes in the Horse Heaven Hills region since 1972.
- There are at least 25 vineyards and 6 commercial wineries.
- Proud source of the 1st, 2nd & 3rd "100 point" wines in the State of Washington.
WAHLUKE SLOPE
Established in 2006
- Naturally bounded by the Columbia River to the west and south, by the Saddle Mountains on the north, and on the east by the Hanford Reach National Monument.
- The Wahluke Slope AVA lies entirely within the established Columbia Valley appellation and is home to more than 20 vineyards and at least three wine production facilities.
- The 81,000 acre (32,780 hectares) region features approximately 5,652 acres (approximately 2,100 hectares) of vineyards: nearly 15 percent of the total wine grape acreage in the state.
- Top grape varieties: Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesling, Chardonnay, and Chenin Blanc.
- Wahluke Slope has one of the driest, warmest climates in the state, allowing nearly complete control of vine vigor and ripening through irrigation.
RATTLESNAKE HILLS
Established in 2006
- Located approximately four miles southeast of Yakima, the 68,500 acre (27,721 hectares) appellation has 1,566 acres (634 hectares) under vines.
- With 17 wineries and 29 vineyards, it provides many Washington producers with Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, Syrah, Chardonnay and Riesling.
- Encompassing an expanse of hills running east to west along the northern point of the Yakima River and south of Moxee Valley, the Rattlesnake Hills AVA lies within both the established Columbia Valley and Yakima Valley appellations.
- Beginning at an elevation of 850 feet and rising up to 3,085 feet, the viticultural area sits higher in elevation than the surrounding Yakima Valley region.
- The first commercial vineyards in the region date back to 1968.
- Vineyards are typically located on ridges and terraces and in areas with good air drainage to avoid late spring and early fall frost and winter kill.
SNIPES MOUNTAIN
Established 2009
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In the 1850s a rancher named Ben Snipes built a house and settled his cattle operation on a Yakima Valley mountain north of the Yakima River, later known as Snipes Mountain.
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In 2009 the Snipes Mountain AVA became Washington State's 10th official viticultural area, named after its most prominent landmark, but also including eastern neighbor Harrison Hill.
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Both slopes, encompassing 4,145 acres, share similar rocky soils and elevation levels and are planted with 759 acres of commercial grapes.
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Snipes Mountain is the second smallest AVA in Washington, bigger only than Red Mountain, and home to six wineries. Its vineyards grow more than 30 different wine grape varieties and the fruit is used in more than 25 wineries.
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Vineyards have been planted on Snipes Mountain and Harrison Hill since 1914, and Washington State's second oldest Cabernet Sauvignon vines have been producing grapes on Harrison Hill for more than 40 years.
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While the Snipes Mountain AVA lies entirely within the boundaries of the Yakima Valley AVA its uniqueness comes from an elevated topography and unique soils not found elsewhere in the Yakima Valley AVA.
LAKE CHELAN
Established 2009
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Lake Chelan, one of Washington's most sought after summer destinations, is now the 11th American Viticultural Area (AVA) officially recognized in the state.
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It is encompassed completely within the larger Columbia Valley AVA, but Lake Chelan has a higher elevation and more temperate climate than the more southern AVAs also contained within the Columbia Valley.
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The 24,040-acre Lake Chelan AVA includes the southern and eastern portions of land surrounding the lake and shares a northern border with the Columbia Valley AVA.
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Due to the ice age glaciers that formed Lake Chelan, the soil surrounding it has distinctive properties such as coarse, sandy sediment with notable amounts of quartz and mica, and these result in grapes with discernable textures, minerals, and nutrients.
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The AVA is also distinguished by a significant "lake effect" that creates mild and favorable temperatures for surrounding areas, resulting in a longer growing season and a reduced risk of frost.
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Grapes have been grown in the Chelan Valley since before the turn of the 20th century by a few Native Americans and a group of Italian immigrants. In 1949, the area produced grapes from 154 vineyard acres.
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Modern wine grape growing began more extensively at the turn of the 21st century, and the first winery was opened by the Kludt family in 2000. Now the area is home to 15 wineries and about 227 acres of planted grapes.
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The leading varieties being produced in the new AVA include Syrah, Merlot, Malbec, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir.
NACHES HEIGHTS
Established 2012
- Naches Heights became the 12th AVA in Washington State in 2012
- Currently there are about 40 acres planted to wine grapes in Naches Heights, but the AVA encompasses 13,254 acres in total.
- The first grapes planted in the Naches Heights were Pinot Gris, Riesling, and Syrah in 2002.
- Located within the Columbia Valley on an ancient volcanic bedrock plateau, Naches Heights is above the level of the Missoula Floods, at elevations ranging from 1,200 to 2,100 feet.
- The boundaries of the Naches Heights are the Naches River to the north and east, Cowiche Creek to the south and west, and the lower Tieton River on the west.
- The soil is comprised of windblown soil, also known as loess, which is heavy in clay and helps the soil to retain water. Around 10 to 13 inches of rain fall annually in the Naches Heights region. It is considered a cooler region for Washington State.
We encourage you to take interest in Washington State as we are now seeing more and more wines from the region making their way across the border. There are approximately 60 Wineries for around 250 labels in Alberta out of roughly 700 State licensed Wineries. We will see more and more from this great wine producing region as time goes on. Cheers. Rome |
 A Family Story
"Strong Root, Great Fruit"
From our vineyards and cellars to our tasting room and sales, Gilbert Cellars is a story of family collaboration. Three generations of Gilberts are committed to making the winery a success through shared vision, personal investment, and a passion for producing great wine from our family's vineyards.
In a speech to the Washington State Horticultural Association in 1908, H.M. Gilbert said, "Let us follow the invitation of our great mountains which lift our eyes and inspire us to better things."
The Gilbert Family has been in the Yakima Valley since 1897, when Horace Mark Gilbert moved his family from Geneseo, Illinois and started farming apples and other produce.
H.M and his wife Marion's homeplace is owned by the Yakima Valley Museum. The family business has passed down from father to son since then and Gilbert Orchards is owned and operated by brothers Curtiss and Cragg Gilbert today.
The family history is rich and extensive--for a glimpse into the past, there are excerpts from old family letters that were gathered as content for the paintings in our Tasting Room by Barb Smith Gilbert.
Gilbert Cellars is new venture for the family and is where tradition meets innovation, where home meets exploration, where our past meets our future, where our mountains meet our valley. In the wine that is created under these contrasting and fascinating circumstances we hope you share spirited & genuine moments with the family and friends that you love.
CSPC 747339 $26.54
Wahluke Slope
WINEMAKER: Justin Neufeld ASSEMBLAGE: 100% Syrah ELEVAGE: 26 months in 25% new French oak puncheon and 75% neutral French oak barrels CASE PRODUCTION: 125 Vineyard: Doc Stewart Vineyard Vinification: Fruit for this blend was harvested on October 25th, 2008. Harvest analysis was the following: Brix = 23.7o, pH = 3.73, TA = 5.7 g/L. The grapes were crushed leaving 50% whole berries. The must cold soaked for 2 days at 10o C and was inoculated with ICV-D254 wine yeast. The primary fermentation was in small 1 ton bins. Extraction was achieved via punchdowns numerous times daily until the desired level of extraction was achieved at which time it was pressed and racked to barrel. After completion of the primary fermentation VP41 ML bacteria were added to initiate MLF. The wine was racked minimally in the cellar and was coarse filtered and bottled on December 30th, 2010. Alcohol14.8% TA6.4 g/L pH3.75 Tasting Notes: Aromatics of blueberry, dark plum, applewood smoke, savory herbs, and cinnamon spice rise from this elegant fruit and under notes of thyme dance gracefully with accents of smoke, spice, and citrus, that linger graciously on the palate. Please note: There are a few cases of the 2008 left for allocation and then we are moving into the 2009. The 2008 received a 91 from Wine Advocate and the new 2009 has received a 92 from Wine Spectator. To have allocated please contact Rome at: rome@meritagewineagents.com
1-403-615-3550
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About Meritage Wine Agents Ltd.
The goal of Meritage Wine Agents is to be one of the top suppliers of exquisite wine to the leading wine focused restaurants and retailers in Alberta. We will do this by sourcing high quality , high value wines from unique and emerging markets and bring them to our customer in an efficient and cost effective manner, deliver them fair prices, and support them with passion and professionalism. Meritage Wine Agents Ltd.
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