The Wahluke Slope is in a remote and arid section of Washington wine country, an 80,000-acre region that was federally designated as an American Viticultural Area in 2006. It's essentially a 13-mile wide gravel bar formed 15,000 years ago at the end of the last ice age when a series of outburst floods swept across what is now the Columbia Valley and reshaped what is now … [Read more...] about Wahluke Slope plays key role for Washington wineries
Featured wines
Washington’s state of Riesling
Washington has long had a reputation for crafting world-class Riesling, with the first plantings as early as 1880, pre-dating statehood by at least a decade. Today, Riesling remains a force in Washington, being the No. 4 grape, trailing Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Chardonnay in total tonnage harvested. It topped 40,000 tons in the 2016 harvest, doubling from the previous … [Read more...] about Washington’s state of Riesling
Washington Malbec growth continues
Malbec not only is a fast-rising star in Washington wine country, but it also is becoming a global phenomenon. The French red variety is not only a big player in Argentina, but also in South Africa, Australia and some areas of California, particularly the arid Central Valley. In Washington, Malbec plantings are ramping up, particularly in the Horse Heaven Hills, where … [Read more...] about Washington Malbec growth continues
Viognier gaining foothold in Pacific Northwest
Viognier, the noble white grape of the northern Rhône Valley of France, has started to gain a strong foothold in the Pacific Northwest, rolling in on the wave of interest in Rhône varieties in our region. It's a maddeningly difficult grape to grow and often more difficult to craft into wine. However, it can make some gems in the Pacific Northwest. It is most famous in … [Read more...] about Viognier gaining foothold in Pacific Northwest
Tempranillo gaining in popularity across Northwest
Tempranillo, the bold red classic grape of Spain's Rioja region, is quickly becoming a favorite grape and wine across the Pacific Northwest. Tempranillo landed in the Northwest, thanks in no small part to the vision of Earl Jones, owner of Abacela Winery near Roseburg, Ore., who planted the state's first Tempranillo in 1995. Washington's first Tempranillo went into the soil … [Read more...] about Tempranillo gaining in popularity across Northwest