Yakima Valley AVA

Yakima Valley
Wine region
TypeAmerican Viticultural Area
Year established1983[1]
2020 Amended[2]
Years of wine industry155[3]
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, Wahluke Slope, White Bluffs AVA
Sub-regionsRattlesnake Hills AVA, Red Mountain AVA, Snipes Mountain AVA, Candy Mountain AVA, Goose Gap AVA
Growing season190 days
Climate regionContinental, Region II-III[1]
Precipitation (annual average)5.88–12.41 in (149.35–315.21 mm)[1][4]
Soil conditionsSilt-loam over basalt bedrock[1][4]
Total area708,782 acres (1,107 sq mi)[2][4]
Size of planted vineyards53,480 acres (21,643 ha)[4]
Grapes producedAligote, Barbera, Black Muscat, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Chenin blanc, Gamay Beaujolais, Gewurztraminer, Grenache, Lemberger, Malbec, Marsanne, Merlot, Mourvedre, Muscat Canelli, Orange Muscat, Petit Verdot, Petite Sirah, Pinot gris, Pinot noir, Riesling, Roussanne, Sangiovese, Sauvignon blanc, Semillon, Syrah, Viognier, Zinfandel[5]
No. of wineries60[4]
Wine producedVarietal, Dessert wine, Sparkling wine, Meritage

Yakima Valley is the first American Viticultural Area (AVA) established within Washington state, gaining the recognition on May 4, 1983. Within the vast Columbia Valley AVA, Yakima Valley appellation cultivates more than 53,000 acres (21,448 ha) giving the region the largest concentration of wineries and vineyards in the state. The most widely planted varietals in the area are Chardonnay, Riesling, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot gris, and Syrah.[3] Nearly 40% of Washington's annual wine production is made from Yakima Valley grapes.[6] In addition to grapes, the Yakima Valley is also home to several fruit orchards growing apples, cherries, nectarines, peaches, pears and plums. Around the town of Zillah, there is the Zillah Fruit Loop driving tour through the area's orchards and vineyards. The area is also home to nearly 80% of the US hop production.[3] In July 2024, the Yakima Valley was named best wine region in the U.S. by readers of USA Today.[7]

  1. ^ a b c d "Yakima Valley Viticultural Area" (PDF). Federal Register. 48 (65). Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury: 14374–14376. April 4, 1983. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 21, 2023.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  2. ^ a b "Establishment of the Candy Mountain Viticultural Area and Modification of the Yakima Valley Viticultural Area" (27 CFR 9 [Docket No. TTB–2019–0006; T.D. TTB–163; Ref: Notice No. 184] RIN 1513–AC42 Final Rule). Federal Register. 85 (187). Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau {TTB), Treasury: 60358–60362. September 25, 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 17, 2023.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  3. ^ a b c Parker, Tom (September 1, 2002). Discovering Washington Wines: An Introduction to One of the Most Exciting Premium Wine Regions. Seattle, Wash: Raconteurs Press. pp. 8-10, 36-37. ISBN 0-9719258-5-2.
  4. ^ a b c d e "Yakima Valley". Washington State Wine. 2015.
  5. ^ "Yakima Valley (AVA): Appellation Profile". Appellation America. 2007. Archived from the original on March 25, 2016. Retrieved January 30, 2008.
  6. ^ Fallis, Catherine (MS) (January 1, 2004). The Encyclopedic Atlas of Wine. Global Book Publishing. p. 51. ISBN 1-74048-050-3.
  7. ^ https://10best.usatoday.com/awards/travel/best-wine-region-2024/