Yakima Valley

Overview

The Yakima Valley AVA was established in 1983, making it Washington's first federally recognized wine region. It contains several nested AVAs, including Red Mountain, Rattlesnake Hills, Snipes Mountain, and Candy Mountain. The valley runs east-west and offers a wide range of elevations and microclimates, from cooler foothill sites suited to white varieties to warmer central sites that ripen Cabernet and Merlot.

Chardonnay, Riesling, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon are the most widely planted grapes, though Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc, and Gewurztraminer are also significant. The soils are predominantly silt-loam over gravel and basalt bedrock, deposited by ancient Missoula Floods, creating well-drained sites ideal for irrigated viticulture.

Key Varietals

• ChardonnayA leading white producing bright, citrus-driven wines with good acidity across the valley.
• RieslingA crisp aromatic white made from dry to off-dry, with lime and floral character.
• MerlotA plush red with plum, chocolate, and soft tannins in Yakima's warmer sites.
• Cabernet SauvignonA structured red giving cassis, black cherry, and savory notes from warmer valley locations.