Columbia Valley AVA

Columbia Valley – the largest and most important appellation in Washington State – accounts for about two-thirds of all the state’s vineyards.
It is the region where Washington’s modern wine identity was shaped – combining New World expressiveness with Old World structure.

Stretching along the majestic Columbia River, which runs from the Canadian border down to Oregon, the appellation enjoys a continental climate. Hot, dry summers and cool nights allow grapes to ripen fully while preserving their natural acidity. With more than 300 sunny days per year on average, the region achieves an excellent balance between sugar and phenolic maturity.

The soils are among the most diverse in the United States. Ancient volcanic bedrock is layered with glacial deposits and sandy loam, creating ideal drainage and imparting a distinctive sense of minerality to the wines.

The history of Columbia Valley as a wine region began in the 1960s and 1970s, when pioneering wineries such as Chateau Ste. Michelle and Leonetti Cellar were founded. Today, it stands as the heart of Washington winemaking, home to more than 250 wineries and nearly all of the state’s key grape varieties.

The main grapes are ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’, ‘Merlot’, ‘Syrah’, ‘Chardonnay’, and ‘Riesling’. The red wines are known for their ripe dark fruit aromas, firm tannin structure, and longevity, while the whites tend to be delicate, fresh, and often show citrus and mineral nuances.