Encompassing approximately 18,000 square miles and 11 million acres, the Columbia Valley Appellation is 185 miles wide and 200 miles long, sprawling across nearly half of Washington State. Washington’s first AVA, the Yakima Valley, was authorized just one year earlier than the Columbia Valley (authorized in 1984) and is now fully encompassed by the latter.
More recently, the Columbia Valley has been subdivided, as variations in climate and soil became clear. Four new American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) have been approved since 2004, bringing the state’s total to nine: the Columbia Gorge appellation (shared with Oregon) was authorized in 2004, the Horse Heaven Hills in 2005, the Rattlesnake Hills and the Wahluke Slope, both authorized in 2006.
The Columbia Valley’s northernmost boundary is near the Okanogan wilderness, bordering Canada, and its southern border extends into Oregon and east along the Snake River to the Idaho border. The western border of the appellation follows the Cascade Range to the beginning of the Columbia Gorge.
The Columbia Valley’s gently undulating, open land is thought by geologists to be what’s left of an ancient volcano. Separated from Seattle’s rainy, marine climate by the Cascade Mountains, the Valley is shielded by the rain shadow of this north/south-stretching barrier, and it experiences annual rainfall of only 6 – 8 inches. Nearby river systems bring vineyards the additional water needed to produce premium wine grapes.
The immense Columbia Valley, home to most Washington wineries and vineyards, comprises approximately one third of the state. Its southern portion extends into Oregon State (as does the Walla Walla Valley wine region). The Columbian Valley and Walla Walla Valley appellations were both federally recognized in 1984.
Navigating the Columbia Valley Appellation
Wines Northwest organizes wine-touring information for the Columbia Valley wineries into several sections: the Columbia Valley, Tri-Cities area and Columbia Valley Central; the Yakima Valley, Red Mountain and Rattlesnake Hills touring information is grouped together (with associated maps), while information about the Walla Walla Valley, Horse Heaven Hills and the Wahluke Slope is organized by individual sections.
Tri-Cities Area (South Columbia Valley)
The southern portion of the Columbia Valley has a larger population than does the portion to the north. There are, therefore, enough people in the Tri-Cities area of Washington to adequately support 14 nearby wineries, and ample amenities to serve tourists coming to the area for enjoyment of the dry climate and the wine touring opportunities.
Most of the wineries are clustered around the “Tri-Cities” of Kennewick, Richland and Pasco. Only two wineries in the north Columbia Valley remain open to the public, both pleasant stops in route to the Spokane region. Some Columbia Valley wineries have regular hours for their tasting rooms; a few conduct tastings by appointment only; some have no tasting rooms at all. Wine country travelers can base themselves in any of the Tri-Cities and easily tour the wineries of this area.