Lewis-Clark Valley AVA

Lewis-Clark Valley
Wine region
TypeAmerican Viticultural Area
Year established2016[1]
Years of wine industry152[2]
CountryUnited States
Part ofIdaho, Washington
Other regions in Idaho, WashingtonColumbia Valley AVA
Growing season7.5 months average
Precipitation (annual average)11–22 inches (280–560 mm)[3]
Soil conditionsloess, wind-deposited, nutrient-rich silt, mollisols [3]
Total area479 square miles (306,560 acres)[3]
Size of planted vineyards100 acres (40 ha)[3]
No. of vineyards16[4]
Varietals produced Blaufränkisch(Lemberger), Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Grenache, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, Syrah, Tempranillo, Muscat, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Rkatsiteli, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon. Viognier, Zinfandel[5]
No. of wineries9[3]

Lewis-Clark Valley is Idaho's third American Viticultural Areas (AVA) officially established by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), Treasury on May 20, 2016. It borders the northern part of the established Columbia Valley AVA. The region encompasses 479 square miles (306,560 acres) with nearly 100 acres (40 ha) under vine throughout the Lewis-Clark Valley between the Clearwater and mid-Snake Rivers and their tributaries.[2] About 72%, 219,838 acres (343.497 sq mi), is located in Idaho with the rest in Washington. The topography consists primarily of deep, V-notched canyons, low plateaus, and bench lands formed by the two rivers. There were 3 wineries within the appellation, as well as 16 commercially-producing vineyards with elevations approximately below 2,000 feet (610 m). Lewis-Clark Valley boundaries forced the realignment of the existing Columbia Valley viticultural area by expanding into its area based on topography, climate and soil conditions. The realignment more accurately separated the terroir differences between the two appellations. Roughly about 72% (219,838 acres (88,965 ha)) of Lewis-Clark Valley is located in Idaho and the rest in Washington.[1][2]

  1. ^ a b "Establishment of the Lewis-Clark Valley Viticultural Area and Realignment of the Columbia Valley Viticultural Area" (27 CFR 9 [Docket No. TTB–2015–0005; T.D. TTB–136; Ref: Notice Nos. 149 & 149A] RIN 1513–AC14 Final rule). Federal Register. 81 (76). Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), Treasury: 23156–23162. April 20, 2016. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 17, 2023. Retrieved May 25, 2020.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  2. ^ a b c "Region". Lewis Clark Valley Wine Alliance. 2016.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Lewis‐Clark Valley Named Newest American Viticultural Area". Lewis Clark Valley Wine Alliance. Idaho. 2016. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  4. ^ "Idaho Wineries, Wines and Wine Country". Wines Northwest. 2016. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
  5. ^ "Vineyards – Varietals Grown". Lewis Clark Valley Wine Alliance. 2016.