Wine region | |
Type | American Viticultural Area |
---|---|
Year established | 2012[1] |
Years of wine industry | 22[2] |
Country | USA |
Part of | Washington, Columbia Valley AVA |
Other regions in Washington, Columbia Valley AVA | Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley AVA, Horse Heaven Hills AVA, Lake Chelan 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 region | Continental |
Total area | 13,254 acres (21 sq mi)[1] |
Size of planted vineyards | 105 acres (42 ha)[1][3] |
No. of vineyards | 7[4] |
Varietals produced | Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, Petite Verdot, Semillon, Sauvignon blanc, Syrah, Mourvedre, Viognier, Barbera, Nebbiolo, Sangiovese, Sagrantino, Pinot grigio, White Muscat, Souzao, Tinta Cao, Touriga Nacional, and Tinta Roriz[5][6] |
No. of wineries | 2[4] |
Naches Heights is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) in Yakima County, Washington. The AVA was recognized officially by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau {TTB), Treasury on January 13, 2012 after reviewing the petition submitted by R. Paul Beveridge, owner of Wilridge Winery and Vineyard, to establish the viticultural area named "Naches Heights." The AVA is located entirely within the vast Columbia Valley AVA with the city of Yakima to the southeast in a valley at a lower elevation. The Naches Heights appellation encompasses 13,254 acres (21 sq mi) and contains 105 acres (42 ha) of commercial vineyards either producing or expecting to produce wine grapes in the foreseeable future.[1][3] Additionally, it is the first AVA in Washington state to be fully sustainable,[7] with all 7 vineyards practicing in either biodynamic or LIVE (Low Input Viticulture and Enology) certification. At the recognition date, only 37.2 acres (15 ha) were under vine, making the AVA the smallest planted wine region in Washington.[5]