Wahluke Slope AVA

Wahluke Slope
Wine region
TypeAmerican Viticultural Area
Year established2006[1]
CountryUnited States
Part ofWashington, Columbia Valley AVA
Other regions in Washington, Columbia Valley AVAAncient Lakes of Columbia Valley AVA, Horse Heaven Hills AVA, Naches Heights AVA. Lake Chelan AVA, The Burn of Columbia Valley AVA, Rocky Reach AVA, Royal Slope AVA, Walla Walla Valley AVA, White Bluffs AVA
Climate regionDry & warm
Total area81,000 acres (330 km2)
Size of planted vineyards5,200 acres (21 km2)
No. of vineyards20
Grapes producedCabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, Grenache, Merlot, Mourvedre, Petit Verdot, Sangiovese, Sauvignon blanc, Syrah, Viognier, Zinfandel[2]
Wine producedVarietal, Dessert wine, Sparkling wine, Meritage

Wahluke Slope is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) located within Grant County, Washington. It was established on January 6, 2006, by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), Treasury after reviewing the petition submitted by the Wahluke Slope Wine Grape Growers Association (WSWGGA), represented by Alan J. Busacca, Ph.D., proposing the establishment of the viticultural area named "Wahluke Slope."

Wahluke Slope is approximately 145 miles (233 km) southeast of Seattle and immediately north of the Hanford Reservation of the United States Department of Energy (USDOE). "Wahluke" is a Native American word for "watering place," The appellation is within the vast Columbia Valley AVA and encompasses 80,490 acres (126 sq mi) with approximately 8,931 acres (3,614 ha) under vine which is nearly 15 percent of the state's total wine grape acreage. It is resident to more than 20 vineyards and at least three wine production facilities.[1][3] The region cultivates Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesling, Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc, but is primarily known for its Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.[4]

  1. ^ a b "Establishment of the Wahluke Slope Viticultural Area (2005R–026P)" (27 CFR 9 [T.D. TTB–40; Re: Notice No. 46] RIN 1513–AB01 Final Rule). Federal Register. 70 (234). Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), Treasury: 72707–72710. December 7, 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. ^ "Wahluke Slope (AVA): Appellation Profile". Appellation America. 2007. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved January 30, 2008..
  3. ^ "Wahluke Slope". Washington State Wine. Retrieved July 8, 2018.
  4. ^ Parker, Tom (September 1, 2002). Discovering Washington Wines. Seattle, Wash: Raconteurs Press. pp. 32-33, 54. ISBN 0-9719258-5-2.