Wines of Washington Oregon and Idaho

Columbia Gorge AVA

 

The Columbia Gorge Wine region lies in the heart of the Columbia River Gorge, a dramatic river corridor that straddles the Columbia River for 15 miles into both Oregon and Washington. This region, which encompasses 40 miles, includes both the Columbia Gorge AVA & part of the Columbia Valley AVA

In 2009 there were 26 Oregon vineyards, 24 Washington vineyards, 13 Oregon wineries, 18 Washington wineries, 350 Oregon vineyard acres  in the AVA

Wine History: Grape growing in the Columbia Gorge area dates back to the 1880s when the Jewitt family, who founded the town of White Salmon, Washington, planted American vines they had brought with them from Illinois. Other pioneer families followed suite and today some of their original vines are still alive and have withstood sub-zero temperatures. It wasn't until the 1970s that post-prohibition pioneers started experimenting with wine grape vineyards on the south facing slopes of the Underwood Mountain in Washington. Over the next two decades, well-known winemakers started to discover the incredible grapes of this region, and the rest is history. The Columbia Gorge appellation became official in 2004

Climate: Within the winegrowing region, the climate in the Columbia Gorge appellation changes drastically. To the west is a cooler, marine-influenced climate where it rains 36 inches per year; to the east it's a continental high desert climate with just 10 inches of annual rainfall. This extreme variance of climate means this area can successfully grow a wide range of classical varieties.

Soils: The Columbia Gorge wine region soils are generally silty loams collected over time from floods, volcanic activity and landslides.

Topography: The Columbia River Gorge is a narrow, winding river valley whose walls range from steep volcanic rock faces to more gentle-sloped, terraced benchlands that are typically well suited for grape growing. The Gorge is the only sea-level passage through the Cascade Mountain Range. From north to south there are two iconic geographical features: Mt. Adams and Mt. Hood, both part of the central Cascade Mountain range.

Predominant Varieties: Pinot noir, Syrah,  Pinot gris, Riesling

Oregon's Columbia Gorge Wineries


* Information provide by Oregon Wine Org