Washington State Wine
- Phone
- (206) 326-5749
- Website
- washingtonwine.org
- twitter.com/@Wa_State_Wine
- facebook.com/WashingtonStateWine
- cstone@washingtonwine.org
About Washington State Wines
Although a relatively young wine industry, Washington State is the nation's second largest wine producer with more than 900 wineries, and is ranked among the world's top wine regions. Washington wines are found nationally in all 50 states and internationally in more than 40 countries.
With more than 50,000 acres planted, Washington State has ideal geography and conditions for growing premium vinifera grapes. Primarily grown on their own root stocks, vines produce grapes of consistent quality year after year. While Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Riesling and Chardonnay dominate in terms of production, over 40 different varieties are produced throughout the state.
Washington has consistently outperformed other leading wine regions with a higher percentage of wines scoring 90 points and above, while maintaining a lower average cost for these wines, based on Wine Spectator magazine’s ratings.
Winemaking Techniques
Washington State is genuine. Our winemakers and grape growers live and work in small towns where old homes, beautiful barns and converted mills reflect the American west. They are active in their communities, connected to the land and eager to share their stories. When stopped in a tasting room, the person you see walking in the vineyard, driving a forklift or opening bottles behind the counter is often the owner or winemaker. Our wines echo this authenticity - rare natural conditions permit cultivation without the common, manipulative practice of vine grafting or intensive use of chemicals. We harvest the purest expression possible for every wine. Backed by world class research and a pioneering spirit – the future is bright for winemakers and winegrowers in Washington State.
Important Grape Varieties Of Washington
Washington produces more than 40 wine grape varieties - a ratio of about 49% white and 51% red. Although winegrowers are continually experimenting with new varietals, these five grapes make up the vast majority of vineyards in the state:
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
10,293 acres
The king of the red grapes grows magnificently in Washington. The heady, fruity character of this complex grape develops slowly. Its character can emerge as black currants, cherry, berry, chocolate, leather, mint, herbs, bell pepper or any combination of these. This wine ages beautifully.
MERLOT
8,235 acres
Washington Merlot, with its cherry flavors and aroma, tends to be more full-bodied, moderately tannic and slightly higher in alcohol than its Bordeaux cousins, and higher in acidity than those from California. Washington Merlot is known for its sweet cherry and berry flavors and complex aromas that include mint, cigar box, and sweet spices like nutmeg and cardamom.
CHARDONNAY
7,654 acres
Chardonnay is one of the best manifestations of the state's special winemaking character. While the varietal is noted in many other regions as a rich and powerful wine, Washington Chardonnays are often distinctively crisp and delicate.
RIESLING
6,320 acres
One of the first grape varieties grown in Washington, the state's Rieslings tend to be very floral in the nose, with vivid apricot, peach and apple flavors. Most Washington Rieslings are vinted in a dry to off-dry style.
SYRAH
3,103 acres
A relative newcomer to Washington State, the Syrah grape has seen a substantial increase in acreage in the past few years. Washington Syrah shows tremendous variation based on where it is grown. As a result, there is no one, unique style to Washington Syrah. Rather, the hallmark is the diversity of styles. Flavors range from dark fruit, such as blackberries, to blueberries and cranberries. However, many Washington Syrahs are notable for being dominated by savory notes.
Washington State Climate and Seasons
Washington State comprises diverse climates, grape varieties, vineyard practices and winemaking styles. It is impossible to outline a “perfect” vintage for the state as a whole. However, a combination of several factors throughout the year can contribute to ideal vintage conditions, while other factors can present certain challenges.
Excessive heat during the growing season, along with prolonged deep freeze and early frost, create the most threat to Washington State wine grapes.
Ideal conditions include:
Winter: Cold temperatures (between 28 and 45 degrees) to promote full dormancy
allowing vines to store energy for future use in spring budding and root growth for nutrient storing, kill off many potential colonies of vine pests.
Spring: Gradually rising but cool temperatures (between 50 and 60 degrees) to promote mid-spring vine and leaf bud burst (March to April), rain to saturate the ground for resources during the dry summer months, leaf development to induce photosynthesis for more energy to grow the vine. Late spring (May) will bring flowering as temperatures warm (between 58 and 68 degrees) with some rain/irrigation needed for humidity/water levels necessary.
Summer: Gradual, even rising temperatures (70 to 90 degrees) to promote grape
development and lead to normal veraison, increasing sunlight hours to provide photosynthetic energy from the canopy to produce sugars, diurnal temperature variation (up to 40 degrees difference between 2 pm and 2 am) to ensure balancing acid levels remain high, medium level winds to control pests/fungal diseases.
Autumn: Gradually cooling temperatures (70 to 80 degrees) during harvest to retain acids and allow for phenolic maturation without sugar accumulation, lack of rain to ensure there is no dilution to grapes during picking, medium level winds to control pests/fungal diseases.
A few recent vintages of note:
2014, 2012, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005