Horse Heaven Hills AVA

Horse Heaven Hills
Wine region
TypeAmerican Viticultural Area
Year established2005[1]
Years of wine industry52[1]
CountryUnited States
Part ofWashington, Columbia Valley AVA
Other regions in Washington, Columbia Valley AVAAncient Lakes of Columbia Valley AVA, Candy Mountain AVA, Goose Gap AVA, Naches Heights AVA, Lake Chelan AVA, Rattlesnake Hills AVA, Red Mountain AVA, Rocky Reach AVA, Royal Slope AVA, Snipes Mountain AVA, The Burn of Columbia Valley AVA, Wahluke Slope AVA, Walla Walla Valley AVA, White Bluffs AVA, Yakima Valley AVA
Climate regionContinental/maritime
Soil conditionsquick-draining silty loam
Total area570,000 acres (891 sq mi)[1]
Size of planted vineyards6,040 acres (2,444 ha)[1]
No. of vineyards20[1]
Grapes producedBarbera, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chenin blanc, Grenache, Malbec, Marsanne, Merlot, Mourvedre, Petit Verdot, Riesling, Roussanne, Sauvignon blanc, Syrah, Viognier, Zinfandel[2]
No. of wineries11[2]
Wine producedVarietal, Dessert wine, Meritage, Sparkling wine

Horse Heaven Hills is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) in southeastern Washington lying in portions of Klickitat, Yakima, and Benton counties, north and west of the Columbia River and south of the Yakima Valley and lies within the vast Columbia Valley appellation. Horse Heaven Hills was established by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau {TTB), Treasury on June 30, 2005 after reviewing the petition filed by Paul D. Lucas on behalf of regional wine grape growers. Horse Heaven Hills viticultural area is about 60 miles (97 km) long and 22 miles (35 km) wide located 115 miles (185 km) east from Vancouver, Washington. The appellation encompasses 570,000 acres (891 sq mi) with about 6,400 acres (2,590 ha) under vine.

Horse Heaven Hills borders the Yakima Valley AVA to the north and the Columbia River to the south. Its elevations vary from 200 feet (61 m) above sea level at its southern boundary to 1,800 feet (549 m) at the northern boundary. Grapes planted in its south-facing slopes benefit from strong westerly winds via the Columbia Gorge, reducing botrytis or mildew issues and thickens grape skins producing fruit with a higher skin-to-juice ratio.[1][2]

  1. ^ a b c d e f "Establishment of the Horse Heaven Hills Viticultural Area (2002R–103P)" (27 CFR 9 [T.D. TTB–28; Re: Notice No. 27] RIN 1513–AA91 Final Rule). Federal Register. 70 (126). Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau {TTB), Treasury: 38004–38009. July 1, 2005. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 18, 2023.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  2. ^ a b c "Horse Heaven Hills (AVA): Appellation Profile". Appellation America. 2007. Archived from the original on August 6, 2013. Retrieved January 30, 2008.