United States

Washington

Region

Washington is the United States' third-largest wine producer, with most vineyards planted in the arid, rain-shadowed high desert of Eastern Washington under unusually long summer daylight hours. The combination of intense sunlight and cool nights produces structured reds like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah alongside crisp Riesling and Chardonnay, often described as blending New World fruit with Old World structure.

Grapes grown here

Cabernet Sauvignon Principal Chardonnay Principal Merlot Principal Riesling Principal Syrah Principal Aligoté Permitted Barbera Permitted Blaufränkisch Permitted Cabernet Franc Permitted Carmenère Permitted Chenin Blanc Permitted Colombard Permitted Gamay Permitted Gewürztraminer Permitted Grenache Permitted Malbec Permitted Palomino Permitted Petit Verdot Permitted Pinot Gris Permitted Pinot Noir Permitted Sangiovese Permitted Sauvignon Blanc Permitted Scheurebe Permitted Sémillon Permitted Tempranillo Permitted Viognier Permitted Zinfandel Permitted

Sub-regions

Columbia Valley

The Columbia Valley AVA is Washington's largest wine region, a vast, treeless, desert-like basin at the same latitude as Bordeaux and Burgundy, with volcanic and sandy loam soils and long, dry growing seasons. Its wines are known for being fruit-forward like California's yet retaining more European-style balance, led by Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Riesling, Chardonnay, and Syrah.