| Wine region | |
 | |
| Type | American Viticultural Area |
|---|---|
| Year established | 2004[1] |
| Years of wine industry | 144[1] |
| Country | United States |
| Part of | Washington, Oregon |
| Other regions in Washington, Oregon | Columbia Valley AVA, Walla Walla Valley AVA |
| Climate region | Region 1b, Maritime/continental |
| Precipitation (annual average) | 18 to 30 in (457–762 mm)[1] |
| Soil conditions | Silty loams[1] |
| Total area | 280 sq mi (179,200 acres)[1] |
| Size of planted vineyards | 1,300 acres (526 ha)[2] |
| No. of vineyards | 90+[3] |
| Grapes produced | Barbera, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Chenin blanc, Gewurztraminer, Lemberger, Merlot, Pinot blanc, Pinot gris, Pinot noir, Sangiovese, Sauvignon blanc, Syrah, Tempranillo, Viognier, Zinfandel[4] |
| No. of wineries | 50[5] |
Columbia Gorge is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) that encompasses a region within the 40 miles (64 km) Columbia River Gorge and straddles the Oregon and Washington state border. The AVA was established by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau {TTB), Treasury on July 9, 2004 after reviewing the petition submitted by Mark Wharry, on behalf of the Columbia River Gorge Wine Growers Association, proposing the viticultural area named "Columbia Gorge."[6] The 280 square miles (179,200 acres) AVA is located about 60 miles (97 km) east of Portland, Oregon, straddles the Columbia River for 15 miles (24 km), and extends into south-central Washington and north-central Oregon. The area surrounds Hood River, Oregon, and White Salmon, Washington, and is generally bordered by B Z Corner, Washington, on the north; Lyle, Washington, on the east; Parkdale, Oregon, on the south; and Vinzenz Lausmann State Park, Oregon, on the west. The area lies due west with an adjacent border to the vast Columbia Valley viticultural area. Due to the significant gradations of climate and geography found in the gorge, the AVA exhibits a wide range of terroir in a relatively small region; it is marketed as a "world of wine in 40 miles".[1][5]
Columbia Gorge lies in four counties; Hood River and Wasco counties in Oregon, and Skamania and Klickitat counties in Washington.[1] The region stretches from Hood River, Oregon and Underwood, Washington in the west, to Rowena, Oregon and Lyle, Washington in the east. It includes the river valleys of the Hood and Deschutes in Oregon, and the Klickitat and White Salmon in Washington.[1][4]
As the AVA lies east of the summits of nearby Mount Hood and Mount Adams, it is in rain shadow of the Cascade volcanoes. The region is significantly drier than the Portland metropolitan area to the west. Annual precipitation ranges from 30 in (762 mm) at the western end of the area, to only 18 in (457 mm) in the east. Elevation in the region varies considerably, increasing as one travels from the Columbia River into the plateaus on either side, as the strong Columbia Gorge winds significantly influences the region's climate. This allows a wide variety of grapes to be grown in the Columbia Gorge.[1][7] The region has about 90+ vineyards, growing a wide variety of grapes, including Syrah, Pinot noir, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot gris, Riesling, and Sangiovese.[5]
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Columbia Gorge Viticultural Area (2002R–03P)" (27 CFR 9 [T.D. TTB–11; Re: Notice No. 11] RIN 1513–AC81 Final rule). Federal Register. 69 (90). Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau {TTB), Treasury: 25831–25835. May 10, 2004. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 18, 2023.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ "About the CGWA". Columbia Gorge Winegrowers Association. 2023. Archived from the original on April 19, 2022. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
- ^ "Vineyards". Columbia Gorge Winegrowers Association. 2023. Archived from the original on May 2, 2024. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
- ^ a b "Columbia Gorge (AVA): Appellation Profile". Appellation America. 2007. Archived from the original on April 28, 2009. Retrieved January 30, 2008.
- ^ a b c "Wineries of The Gorge". Columbia Gorge Winegrowers Association. 2023. Archived from the original on May 2, 2024. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
- ^ "Petition to Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms For Rule Amendment to Establish Columbia Gorge Appellation American Viticultural Area" (Columbia River Gorge Wine Growers Association). Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau {TTB), Treasury. December 30, 2001. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ "Columbia Gorge Wine Country...its Wineries and Wines". Wines Northwest.
