Wine region | |
Type | American Viticultural Area |
---|---|
Year established | 2021 [1] |
Years of wine industry | 26 [2] |
Country | United States |
Part of | Washington, Columbia Valley AVA, Yakima Valley AVA |
Other regions in Washington, Columbia Valley AVA, Yakima Valley AVA | Candy Mountain AVA, Rattlesnake Hills AVA , Red Mountain AVA, Snipes Mountain AVA |
Precipitation (annual average) | 6 in (152 mm) [2] |
Soil conditions | Warden series, windblown silt and fine sand overlying Missoula Flood sediment [1] |
Total area | 8,129 acres (13 sq mi) [1] |
Size of planted vineyards | 1,800 acres (728 ha) [1] |
No. of vineyards | 2 [1] |
Grapes produced | Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Syrah [3] |
Varietals produced | 16 [4] |
No. of wineries | 1 [1] |
Goose Gap is the 19th American Viticultural Area (AVA) in Washington, United States. It encompasses the local region surrounding Goose Mountain in Benton County between Kiona to the west, and Richland along the Columbia River to the east. The viticultural area was formally established on August 2, 2021, by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), Treasury after reviewing the petition submitted by geologist/vintner, Alan Busacca, on behalf of the Goose Gap Wine Grower's Association, proposing the viticultural area "Goose Gap". The area is a sub-appellation entirely within the Yakima Valley and the expansive Columbia Valley AVAs sandwiched on a northwest–southeast axis between neighboring viticultural areas Red Mountain and the minute Candy Mountain. [1] [5] [6]
"Goose Gap" refers to a saddle between Goose Mountain to the west and Badger and Candy Mountains to the east within the vast Columbia Valley. [7] [ better source needed ] Both geographies are within its appellation boundaries which are named for being a common pathway for migratory waterfowl. In 1998, the first grapevines were planted in the area by Arvid Monson. [2] Within the approximately 8,129 acres (13 sq mi) AVA, there are two commercial vineyards cultivating 1,800 acres (728 ha) and only one winery. The primary varietals produced are Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot and Syrah. [1] [3]
The distinguishing features of the Goose Gap AVA are its geology and soils. The appellation is part of a series of folded hills and valleys collectively known as the Yakima Fold Belt, a series of topographical folds (or wrinkles) raised from tectonic compression, which runs from the Beezley Hills in the north to the Horse Heaven Hills in the south. [8] Goose Gap AVA comprises two geographic features with similar viticultural conditions: Goose Gap and the adjoining Goose Hill. Goose Gap and Goose Hill together form part of a single folded and faulted block of the Columbia River Basalt. Sometime between 10 and 15 million years ago, multiple lava flows poured out from the Yellowstone hotspot, then located in western Idaho. These lava flows covered large portions of Washington and Oregon on their way to the Pacific Ocean and are the cause of the underlying basalt of the region. In some areas, the basalt was 5,900 feet (1,800 m) thick. [9]
Goose Gap is formed from a syncline, a down-folded arch in the bedrock that creates a saddle-like shape, whereas Goose Hill is formed from an anticline, an arch-like structure of basalt that bends upwards to form a ridge and slopes. Elevations range from 577 feet (176 m) above sea level along the southern boundary to 1,339 feet (408 m) at the top of Goose Mountain. Goose Gap and Goose Hill both have an east–west orientation, south and southwest slopes that are too steep for planting, and plantable north and northeast slopes. In contrast, the petition states that all of the ridges and hills in the region surrounding the AVA have a northwest–southeast orientation, plantable south and southwest slopes, and north and northeast slopes that are too steep for vineyards. Because vineyards in the Goose Gap AVA are planted on north-and northeast-facing slopes, they receive less solar radiation than nearby vineyards planted on south and southwest-facing slopes. As a result, grapes grown in the AVA typically ripen later than the same varietals grown in the neighboring Red Mountain to the northwest. [1]
Five main soil series make up almost 95 percent of the soils in the Goose Gap: Warden, Shano, Kiona, Hezel, and Prosser. The Warden series soils, which make up 65 percent of the AVA, consist of wind-blown loess over layered or stratified silts and fine sands, and have rooting depths of 6 feet (2 m) or more with no hardpans or other root-restrictive layers. Shano soils constitute seven percent of the Goose Gap and are also formed from wind-blown loess and are deep soils with low levels of organic material. Kiona soils make up 9 percent of the AVA and are formed in loess and rubble from fractured basalt. Hezel soils make up seven percent of the AVA and are made of windblown sand over stratified silts and sands. Finally, Prosser soils make up five percent and derive from loess mixed with flood sediments. Prosser soils are generally shallow and overlay fractured basalt bedrock. In comparison, Warden soils are less common in the established Red Mountain AVA to the northwest, the Horse Heaven Hills AVA to the southwest, and in the established Yakima Valley AVA that encompasses Goose Gap. Additionally, Scooteney soils make up almost 11 percent of soils in the established Red Mountain AVA, and Ritzville soils make up almost 30 percent of the soils in the established Horse Heaven Hills AVA, yet both soil series are completely absent from Goose Gap AVA. [1]
Finally, TTB has also determined that the Goose Gap will remain part of the established Yakima Valley AVA. The two AVAs share soils that are a combination of glacial-flood and windborne soils, including the Warden soil series, and rest on Columbia River basalt. However, Goose Gap is unique among the hills of the Yakima Valley AVA in that it has an east–west alignment and plantable north and northeast slopes. Additionally, a major soil series of the Yakima Valley AVA is the Scooteney-Starbuck soil association. However, within the Goose Gap AVA, Scooteney soils are absent, and Starbuck soils make up less than 2 percent of the soils. [1]
The area shares the unusual terroirs in the state with neighboring Red and Candy Mountain AVAs where southwest facing slopes experience warmer temperatures and more sunlight hours than any other part of the Columbia Valley. The nighttime temperatures drop considerably, helping to preserve the acid levels within the grape At Benton City, the Yakima River flows past the area and provides a moderating effect on the temperature. Cool air from the northern elevations flowing to the lower river valley moves across the hillside vineyards and keeps the grapes from being overheated. This constant air movement prevents air settling and frost damage to the grapes [10] The area has a desert climate with average annual rainfall of 6 inches (150 mm). During the growing season, daytime temperatures average 90 °F (32 °C) with nighttime temperatures dropping below 50 °F (10 °C). [11] Vineyards rely on irrigation to supply water to the vines allowing viniters to optimize the growth cycle of their grapevines. [12]
In 1998, Yakima native, renown grower, rancher and founder of Goose Ridge Winery, Arvid Monson, chose to plant grapes on the hills adjacent to Red Mountain with the consultation of Dr. Walter Clore, who is considered by many to be the "father" of the Washington wine industry. [13] "Our family started farming in the Columbia Valley in the early 1900s and we always knew Goose Gap was a special site", said Bill Monson, President of Goose Ridge Estate Vineyards & Winery, which is currently the only winery within Goose Gap AVA. Dr. Clore noted Goose Gap's gradual, south-facing slopes and warm temperatures as excellent viticulture terroir. The Goose Ridge Estate Vineyard & Winery is the largest vineyard development in the lower Yakima Valley to be planted dominantly on Goose Gap's north and northeast slopes capitalizing on the unique and diverse qualities of the locale. TTB confirmed Dr. Clore's observations when it recognized the geology, soils, elevation, and slope direction as clearly unique to this region and established Goose Gap AVA. Goose Ridge Estate Vineyard & Winery produces quality vintages from the 16 varieties grown in the AVA highlighting Goose Gap in their portfolio of wines and spirits. [14]
The establishment of the Goose Gap AVA allows vintners to use "Goose Gap", "Yakima Valley", and "Columbia Valley" as appellations of origin for wines made primarily from grapes grown within Goose Gap if the wines meet the eligibility requirements for the appellation. To qualify as an AVA, a wine grape-growing region must be distinguishable by features such as climate, soil, elevation and physical features. [15] Since August 2, 2021, wineries may submit a Certificate of Label Approval (COLA) request to the TTB for a label using Goose Gap AVA as the appellation of origin. [16] "Each AVA is several years in the making, so this is an exciting time for those who make wine from grapes grown within Goose Gap", said Steve Warner, President of the Washington State Wine Commission, "We're ready to start spreading the word about this great region!" [1] [4]
Washington wine is a wine produced from grape varieties grown in the U.S. state of Washington. Washington ranks second in the United States in the production of wine. By 2017, the state had over 55,000 acres (220 km2) of vineyards, a harvest of 229,000 short tons (208,000 t) of grapes, and exports going to over 40 countries around the world from the 940+ wineries located in the state. While there are some viticultural activities in the cooler, wetter western half of the state, the majority (99.9%) of wine grape production takes place in the shrub-steppe eastern half. The rain shadow of the Cascade Range leaves the Columbia River Basin with around 8 inches (200 mm) of annual rain fall, making irrigation and water rights of paramount interest to the Washington wine industry. Viticulture in the state is also influenced by long sunlight hours and consistent temperatures.
Willamette Valley is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) which lies in the Willamette Valley of Oregon. The AVA is the wine growing region which encompasses the drainage basin of the Willamette River. It stretches from the Columbia River in the north to just south of Eugene in the south, where the Willamette Valley ends; and from the Oregon Coast Range in the west to the Cascade Mountains in the east. At 5,360 square miles, it is the largest AVA in the state, and contains most of the state's wineries; approximately 908 as of 2021.
Columbia Valley is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) which lies within the Columbia River Plateau, through much of central and southern Washington state, with a section crossing the state boundary into northern Oregon south of the Columbia River. The viticultural area includes the drainage basin of the Columbia River and its tributaries through much of Washington. It was established by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury on December 13, 1984 after evaluating the petition filed by Drs, Walter Clore and Wade Wolfe of Prosser, Washington on behalf of Washington’s oldest and largest winery, Chateau Ste. Michelle, and by William Blosser of the Sokol Blosser Winery, Dundee, Oregon. Allen Shoup, president of Chateau Ste. Michelle, understood the importance of obtaining appellation status to grow the reputation of the Northwest viticulture industry.
Yakima Valley is the first American Viticultural Area (AVA) established within Washington state, gaining the recognition on May 4, 1983. Within the vast Columbia Valley AVA, Yakima Valley appellation cultivates more than 53,000 acres (21,448 ha) giving the region the largest concentration of wineries and vineyards in the state. The most widely planted varietals in the area are Chardonnay, Riesling, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot gris, and Syrah. Nearly 40% of Washington's annual wine production is made from Yakima Valley grapes. In addition to grapes, the Yakima Valley is also home to several fruit orchards growing apples, cherries, nectarines, peaches, pears and plums. Around the town of Zillah, there is the Zillah Fruit Loop driving tour through the area's orchards and vineyards. The area is also home to nearly 80% of the US hop production.
Red Mountain is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) that encompasses the local region surrounding Red Mountain in Benton County, Washington. The viticultural area was formally recognized on June 11, 2001 by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury after reviewing the petition submitted by Lorne Jacobson of Hedges Cellars to establish an area known as "Red Mountain." It lies entirely within the Yakima Valley and vast Columbia Valley appellations and is the smallest AVA in the state at only 4,040 acres (6.31 sq mi) in area and lies between Benton City and the City of West Richland. The area has more than 2,225 acres (900 ha) under cultivation of primarily red varietals including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sangiovese, Cabernet Franc and Syrah. The reputation of the area's wines has brought Red Mountain worldwide attention and acclaim for producing some of the most desired Washington State vintage wines.
Walla Walla Valley is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) located within Washington state and extending partly into the northeastern corner of Oregon. The wine region is entirely included within the larger Columbia Valley AVA. In addition to grapes, the area produces sweet onions, wheat and strawberries After the Yakima Valley AVA, the Walla Walla AVA has the second highest concentration of vineyards and wineries in Washington State. Walla Walla hosts about 140 wineries. The area was recognized on March 7, 1984 by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury after reviewing the petition submitted by Mr. Richard L Small, President of the Walla Walla Valley Winegrowers Association, for the establishment of a viticultural area in southeast Washington and northeast Oregon, east of Lake Wallula, to be known as "Walls Walls Valley." At the time, Walla Walla Valley viticultural area was approximately 178,560 acres (279 sq mi) with two bonded wineries and about 60 acres (24 ha) from several vineyards.
Horse Heaven Hills is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) in southeastern Washington lying in portions of Klickitat, Yakima, and Benton counties, north and west of the Columbia River and south of the Yakima Valley and lies within the vast Columbia Valley appellation. Horse Heaven Hills was established by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau {TTB), Treasury on June 30, 2005 after reviewing the petition filed by Paul D. Lucas on behalf of regional wine grape growers. Horse Heaven Hills viticultural area is about 60 miles (97 km) long and 22 miles (35 km) wide located 115 miles (185 km) east from Vancouver, Washington. The appellation encompasses 570,000 acres (891 sq mi) with about 6,400 acres (2,590 ha) under vine.
Rattlesnake Hills is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) located in Yakima County, Washington surrounding the Rattlesnake Hills. The appellation is the state's 9th AVA established on March 20, 2006 by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau {TTB), Treasury after reviewing the petition submitted by Mr. Gail Puryear, Bonair Winery owner, along with 10 other vineyard and winery owners in the region proposing the "Rattlesnake Hills" viticultural area. The 68,500 acres (107 sq mi) Rattlesnake Hills AVA boundaries are within the Yakima Valley AVA as both are encompassed by the vast Columbia Valley AVA. Rattlesnake Hills borders the northern boundary of Yakima Valley including land between the north bank of the Sunnyside Canal and the entire southern boundary slopes are between Outlook and the Wapato Dam. The western boundary meanders on an east-west chain of hills north of I-82 passing through the cities of Parker, Donald, Buena and Zillah while just east of the Yakima River. Rattlesnake Hills rises to the highest point in the Yakima Valley with elevations ranging from 850 to 3,085 feet (259–940 m).
Santa Maria Valley is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) which straddles the boundary of Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties in California's multi-county Central Coast AVA. It was established on August 5, 1981, by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) as California's second oldest AVA. A portion of the AVA crosses the Cuyama River into the southernmost corner of San Luis Obispo County. The east–west orientation of the 152.3 square miles with a wide, open valley and rolling hills means cool winds and fog flow in freely from the Pacific Ocean, settling most noticeably in lower-lying areas. The result is a mild Mediterranean climate that lengthens the growing season and contributes to the eventual sugar/acid balance in the grapes from Santa Maria Valley's 7,500 acres (3,000 ha) cultivated vineyards. On January 28, 2011, the AVA was granted an 29.4 square miles expansion to its southern boundary.
The Spring Mountain District AVA is an American Viticultural Area located in the Napa Valley AVA in California. Spring Mountain District AVA was officially established as an American Viticulture Area in 1993. Encompassed within its bounds are about 8,600 acres (3,480 ha), of which about 1,000 acres (400 ha) are planted to vineyards. Given the small crop yields on hillsides, the region represents less than 2% of Napa Valley wine. Currently the region has just over 30 winegrowers.
Snipes Mountain is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) located in the Yakima Valley of Washington state. It was established by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau {TTB), Treasury on January 21, 2009 as the state's 10th AVA. It is the second smallest AVA in the state, after the Red Mountain AVA, and has one of the state's longest viticultural histories. The 4,145 acres (6 sq mi) appellation is a sub-AVA of the Yakima Valley AVA and the Columbia Valley AVA. It is located above and between the towns of Sunnyside and Granger around Outlook, Washington, in the southeast corner of the Yakima Valley.
Lake Chelan is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) in Washington state. The appellation lies about 112 miles (180 km) northeast of Seattle located in north-central Washington's Lake Chelan Valley and is a sub-appellation of the vast Columbia Valley AVA. It lies east of the Puget Sound viticultural area and north or west of the other Washington State viticultural areas. It borders the Columbia Valley viticultural area on is eastern side and does not include any portion of other Washington viticultural areas except the Columbia Valley AVA.
Naches Heights is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) in Yakima County, Washington. The AVA was recognized officially by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau {TTB), Treasury on January 13, 2012 after reviewing the petition submitted by R. Paul Beveridge, owner of Wilridge Winery and Vineyard, to establish the viticultural area named "Naches Heights." The AVA is located entirely within the vast Columbia Valley AVA with the city of Yakima to the southeast in a valley at a lower elevation. The Naches Heights appellation encompasses 13,254 acres (21 sq mi) and contains 105 acres (42 ha) of commercial vineyards either producing or expecting to produce wine grapes in the foreseeable future. Additionally, it is the first AVA in Washington state to be fully sustainable, with all 7 vineyards practicing in either biodynamic or LIVE certification. At the recognition date, only 37.2 acres (15 ha) were under vine, making the AVA the smallest planted wine region in Washington.
Red Willow Vineyard is a grape-growing estate located in the far western end of Yakima Valley AVA, within the Yakama Indian Reservation. Beginning with their relationship with Columbia Winery and Master of Wine David Lake, grapes from Red Willow have been used to produce some of the most critically acclaimed Washington wines with the vineyard's name regularly being featured on vineyard designated wines. Paul Gregutt, wine writer for the Seattle Times and Wine Enthusiast, list Red Willow as one of the "top ten" vineyards in the entire state.
The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) in Umatilla County, Oregon that is a sub-appellation of the Walla Walla Valley AVA, and both lie within the vast Columbia Valley AVA. The appellation was established on March 11, 2015 by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), Treasury after reviewing the petition submitted from Dr. Kevin R. Pogue, a professor of geology at Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington, proposing the viticultural area called "The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater."
Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley, also locally called "Ancient Lakes", is an American Viticultural Area {AVA) which lies on the western edge of the Columbia Basin near the town of Quincy in Douglas, Grant, and Kittitas Counties in the state of Washington. The appellation lies entirely within the vast Columbia Valley viticultural area and was established on November 19, 2012, as the state's 13th AVA, by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau {TTB), Treasury. The petition was received by TTB from Joan R. Davenport, a professor of soil sciences at Washington State University, and Cameron Fries of White Heron Cellars, on behalf of the vintners and grape growers in the Ancient Lakes region in central Washington, proposing the establishment of the "Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley" viticultural area.
Moon Mountain District Sonoma County is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) within Sonoma Valley and North Coast viticultural areas, just north of the city of Sonoma. This mountainous region on the very eastern edge of Sonoma County has a historic reputation for producing rich, intensely-flavored wines from Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah varietals since the 1880s. The District was established on November 1, 2013, by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB). Its designation covers 17,663 acres (28 sq mi) of land stretching north-south along the western slopes of the Mayacamas mountains between Sugarloaf Ridge State Park and Los Carneros viticultural area with the Napa Valley’s Mount Veeder viticultural area outlining the eastern slopes. Its name is derived from Moon Mountain Road, which traverses through the area and itself a reference to Sonoma, which means 'valley of the moon' in the local Native American dialect. A clear view to San Francisco 50 miles (80 km) south is not uncommon from Moon Mountain District vineyards.
Candy Mountain is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) in Washington that encompasses the slopes surrounding Candy Mountain in Benton County located southwest of Richland along the Columbia River. The viticultural area is the state's 16th AVA formally established on September 24, 2020, by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), Treasury after reviewing the petition submitted by Dr. Kevin R. Pogue, professor of geology at Whitman College, on behalf of the following industry members with wine businesses within the Candy Mountain appellation: Ramer Holtan, who is developing a commercial wine grape vineyard on Candy Mountain; Premiere Columbia Partners LLC, owners of Candy Mountain Vineyard; and Paul and Vickie Kitzke, owners of Kitzke Cellars. For wines to bear the “Candy Mountain AVA” label, at least 85% of the grapes used for production must be grown in the designated area, Candy Mountain is a sub-appellation entirely within the Yakima Valley and the expansive Columbia Valley AVAs adjacent to the eastern boundary of Goose Gap AVA and few miles southeast of Red Mountain AVA. Within the 815 acres (330 ha) minute AVA, there are currently two producing commercial vineyards, Candy Mountain Vineyard and Kitzke Cellars, which cultivate approximately 54 acres (22 ha) with future expansions for 200 acres (81 ha)
The Burn of Columbia Valley is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) located within Klickitat County in south-central Washington on the north banks of the Columbia River along the Oregon state border. The Burn of Columbia Valley was established by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau {TTB), Treasury on July 17, 2021, after reviewing a petition received from Kevin Corliss, Vice President of Vineyards for Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, Joan R. Davenport, Professor of Soil Sciences at Washington State University, and John Derrick, Vice President of Operations for Mercer Ranches, Inc., proposing “The Burn of Columbia Valley” viticultural area. The appellation, known colloquially as “The Burn,” encompasses about 16,870 acres (26 sq mi) where 3 commercial vineyards cultivate approximately 1,261 acres (510 ha) as many Washington wineries source grapes from here. The state's 18th AVA lies entirely within the vast Columbia Valley appellation and stands alone between the Columbia Gorge and the Horse Heaven Hills viticultural areas. The distinguishing features of The Burn of Columbia Valley are its soils, climate, and topography.
Royal Slope is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) located within Adams and Grant Counties in central Washington state. Royal Slope is the state's 15th appellation recognized by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau {TTB), Treasury on October 2, 2020, after reviewing the petition submitted by Alan Busacca, a licensed geologist and founder of Vinitas Vineyard Consultants, LLC, on behalf of the Royal Slope Wine Grower's Association, proposing the viticultural area named “Royal Slope.” The AVA lies between the Quincy Basin and Saddle Mountains surrounding the town of Royal City encompassing 156,389 acres (244 sq mi) entirely within the vast Columbia Valley AVA. There are currently 13 producing commercial vineyards cultivating approximately 14,100 acres (5,706 ha) with only one winery. According to the petition, the distinguishing features of the Royal Slope AVA are its climate, topography, geology, and soils.