Making Waves

Columbia Valley

Sheltered by the rain shadow of the Cascade Mountains, Columbia Valley is home to the majority of Washington's vineyards. Cool nights keep zippy acidity in the grapes, while long daylight hours give the fruit plenty of chance to ripen. This results in full-bodied Merlot, elegant Cabernet Sauvignon and deeply concentrated Syrah. White wines are just as tantalizing, with toasty oak-touched Chardonnay and ripe stone fruit-flavored Riesling taking the spotlight. Sub-AVAs to look out for are Yakima Valley and Walla Walla. The Columbia Valley is one of the only appellations in the United States to occupy vineyards in two states, as it crosses the Oregon border in the southern part of the valley.