Washington State is located in the Pacific North west region of the United States of America. It has made what Larry Walker (February 1997, p.29-31) called wine ‘of sorts since at least the 1870s’, adding that until ‘some 20 years ago’ it was predominantly plonk ‘based on table grapes’ like Concord and other native North American grapes.’ Walker adds it took until the 1970s for cold-hardy V. Vinifera grapes like Riesling and Gewürztraminer arrived. Compared to Oregon, Washington State leans more towards Bordeaux in its choice of grape varieties and an openness to blend (Norm Roby: 2001).

Terroir: Vines suffer winter damage one year in every three or four.

Organic & Biodynamic wine production data: See here.

Wine regions: Columbia Gorge AVA. | Columbia Valley AVA. | Naches Heights AVA. | Red Mountain AVA. | Walla Walla Valley AVA (shared with Oregon).

Wineries

Certified Biodynamic: Hedges Family Estate. | Wilridge Vineyard, Winery & Distillery. 

Certified organic: Celilo Falls. 

Bibliography

Larry Walker, ‘Going Steady,’ Wine Magazine, February 1997, p.29-30.

Norm Roby, ‘Pacific States’, Decanter, September 2001, p.38-39.