About the Area

Washington is the second largest wine producing state in the United States. Over 500 wineries now call Washington home, and more are opening every day. Virtually all of Washington’s vineyards are planted in the dry, warm high-dessert of eastern part of the state, separated from the damp western part by the Cascade Range.

Established in 1984, this is Washington’s largest growing area, covering almost 11 million acres. The appellation contains the smaller AVAs of Red Mountain, Yakima and Walla Walla Valleys, Wahluke Slope and Horse Heaven Hills within its borders.

In the southern AVA of Walla Walla, viticulture has boomed over the last eight years. The Valley’s deep soils, deposited by flood waters 18,000 years ago, provide perfect growing conditions for big reds like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah.