NEW AVAS FOR WASHINGTON STATE

GOOSE GAP AVA Goose Gap becomes a sub-AVA of Yakima Valley AVA within the Columbia Valley AVA in Washington State. This unique area runs east to west with southern slopes too steep to plant, resulting in vineyards on the north and northeastern slopes. Goose Gap AVA receives less solar radiation, thus being slower to ripen, and is typically harvested a minimum of one week after the surrounding AVAs. ​ First Grapes Planted: 1998 AVA Established: 2021 (Effective August 2, 2021) Acres Planted: 1,800 (8,129 total) Growing Degree Days: Region III Precipitation: 7" to 8" annually Elevation: 577 to 1,339 feet above sea level Aspect: North to Northeast Soils: Warden Series (windblown loess and fine sand), Shano Series (windblown loess), Kiona Series (basalt rubble), Hezel Series (windblown sand), and Prosser Series (loess and Missoula Flood deposits). Geographical Influences: Goose Hill, Badger Mountain, Candy Mountain, Yakima Fold Belt Grape Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, and Syrah

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THE BURN OF COLUMBIA VALLEY AVA The Burn of Columbia Valley (aka "The Burn") becomes a sub-AVA within the Columbia Valley AVA in Washington State. ​ First Grapes Planted: 2002 AVA Established: 2021 (Effective July 19, 2021) Acres Planted: 1,261 (16,870 total) Growing Degree Days: 2,763 (Region II) Precipitation: 6.65" to 10.44" annually Aspect: Southeast facing vineyards (a gentle 7.27% grade) Soils: Walla Walla Silt Loam along with Rock outcrop-Haploxeroll complex, Haploxeroll-Fluvaquent complex, Fluventic Haploxeroll-Riverwash complex, Wato and Endicott silt loam, and Endicott-Moxee complex Geographical Influences: Columbia Gorge and Columbia River Grape Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah ​

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WHITE BLUFFS AVA White Bluffs becomes a sub-AVA within the Columbia Valley AVA in Washington State. ​ First Grapes Planted: 1972 AVA Established: 2021 (Effective July 19, 2021) Acres Planted: 1,127 (93,738 total) Elevation: 700 feet to 1,200 feet above sea level Aspect: South facing vineyards Soil: Basalt Bedrock, fine sand, Missoula flood deposits, Ringold Formation (clay-rich), wind-deposited silt, Geographical Influences: Koontz Coulee, Pasco Basin, Ringold Coulee Grape Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, and Syrah

ROYAL SLOPE AVA Royal Slope becomes a sub-AVA within the Columbia Valley AVA in Washington State. ​ First Grapes Planted: 1983 AVA Established: 2020 Acres Planted: 1,900 (156,389 total) Growing Degree Days: 2900 (Region II) Precipitation: 6" to 8" annually Elevation: 610 feet to 1,756 feet above sea level Aspect: South facing vineyards Soil: Loess, windblown silt and sand over Missoula flood deposits (Warden, Sagemoore, Adkins, and Kennewick Soil Series) Geographical Influences: Quincy Basin, Saddle Mountains, and Yakima Fold Belt Grape Varieties: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Cinsault, Gewurztraminer, Grenache, Malbec, Merlot, Mourvèdre, Petit Verdot, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Roussanne, Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Syrah, Tempranillo, and Viognier. ​

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CANDY MOUNTAIN AVA Candy Mountain becomes a sub-AVA within the Yakima Valley AVA in Washington State. ​ First Grapes Planted: 1998 AVA Established: 2020 Acres Planted: 110 (815 total) Precipitation: 6" to 10" annually Elevation: 640 feet to 1,360 feet above sea level Aspect: South to southwest facing vineyards (2 to 20 degree slope) Soil: Loess, windblown silt and sand over Missoula flood deposits and a basalt bedrock (Warden, Shano, Scootenay, and Starbuck Series Soils) Geographical Influences: "The Rattles" (Red Mountain, Badger Mountain, Little Badger Mountain, and Candy Mountain) and the Yakima Fold Belt. Grape Varieties: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Malbec, Merlot, Mourvèdre, Nebbiolo, Sangiovese, and Syrah.

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​​ ​ SOURCES: Candy Mountain AVA Federal Register Goose Gap AVA Federal Register Royal Slope AVA Federal Register The Burn of Columbia Valley AVA Federal Register Washington State Wine Washington Wine Report White Bluffs AVA Federal Register

Date Published: July 16, 2021