Horse Heaven Hills AVA

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Horse Heaven Hills
Wine region
Horse Heaven Hills AVA map.JPG
Type American Viticultural Area
Year established2005 [1]
Years of wine industry52 [1]
CountryUnited States
Part of Washington, Columbia Valley AVA
Other regions in Washington, Columbia Valley AVA Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley AVA, Candy Mountain AVA, Goose Gap AVA, Naches Heights AVA, Lake Chelan AVA, Rattlesnake Hills AVA, Red Mountain AVA, Rocky Reach AVA, Royal Slope AVA, Snipes Mountain AVA, The Burn of Columbia Valley AVA, Wahluke Slope AVA, Walla Walla Valley AVA, White Bluffs AVA, Yakima Valley AVA
Climate region Continental/maritime
Soil conditionsquick-draining silty loam
Total area570,000 acres (891 sq mi) [1]
Size of planted vineyards6,040 acres (2,444 ha) [1]
No. of vineyards20 [1]
Grapes produced Barbera, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chenin blanc, Grenache, Malbec, Marsanne, Merlot, Mourvedre, Petit Verdot, Riesling, Roussanne, Sauvignon blanc, Syrah, Viognier, Zinfandel [2]
No. of wineries11 [2]
Wine produced Varietal, Dessert wine, Meritage, Sparkling wine

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.

Contents

Horse Heaven Hills borders the Yakima Valley AVA to the north and the Columbia River to the south. Its elevations vary from 200 feet (61 m) above sea level at its southern boundary to 1,800 feet (549 m) at the northern boundary. Grapes planted in its south-facing slopes benefit from strong westerly winds via the Columbia Gorge, reducing botrytis or mildew issues and thickens grape skins producing fruit with a higher skin-to-juice ratio. [1] [2]

History

Growers have raised grapes in the Horse Heaven Hills region since 1972, when Don Mercer planted a 5 acres (2 ha) parcel of Cabernet Sauvignon at Phinny Hill Vineyards. Between 1978 and 1981, Stimson Lane planted 2,000 acres (809 ha) in Paterson, including Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Gewurztraminer, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, and Grenache grapes. By the mid 1980s, commercial wine production included the Mercer Ranch Vineyards’ Cabernet Sauvignon, and St. Michelle’s Gewurztraminer, Grenache Rose, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Plantings continued from the mid-1980s through the early 1990s in the Horse Heaven Hills region, and greatly accelerated after the vineyards in the Horse Heaven Hills survived the hard freeze of 1996, which destroyed much of Washington State’s grape crop. As of 2002, there are at least 20 vineyards, with over 6,400 acres (2,590 ha) under vine, plus four commercial wineries within the region. [1]

Wineries

Horse Heaven Hills Cabernet Sauvignon Horse heaven hills cab.jpg
Horse Heaven Hills Cabernet Sauvignon

Horse Heaven Hills AVA is home to the single largest wine making facility in Washington, the Columbia Crest Winery owned by Chateau Ste. Michelle in Paterson. Alexandria Nicole Cellars has a 267 acres (108 ha) at Destiny Ridge Vineyards.

The AVA is also home to Zephyr Ridge Vineyard, which produces grapes for many wineries in Washington, including Hogue Cellars and Swiftwater Cellars. [3] [4]

Wines

Some of Washington's cult wines are produced from Cabernet Sauvignon grapes grown in this AVA including the 2002 and 2003 Quilceda Creek Vintners Cabernet Sauvignon, which scored the rare 100 point rating from Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate . [5] Only 15 other wines in the US have received this designation, all made from California grapes. [6] Only five other previous vintages have received consecutive perfect scores in The Wine Advocate's publishing history. [7] The Quilceda Creek wines were blends with grapes from three Red Mountain AVA vineyards and one Horse Heaven Hills AVA vineyard. [8]

See also

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Quilceda Creek Winery

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Champoux Vineyard</span>

Champoux Vineyard is a grape growing estate located in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA of Washington state. Grapes grown in the vineyard have been used to produce some of the most critically acclaimed Washington wines with the name Champoux regularly being featured on vineyard designated wines. Paul Gregutt, wine writer for the Seattle Times and Wine Enthusiast, list Champoux as one of the "top ten" vineyards in the entire state. Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from Champoux vineyards were featured in the consecutive 100 point Robert Parker rated wines from Quilceda Creek Vintners for the 2002 and 2003 vintages.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Naches Heights AVA</span> American Viticultural Area in Washington

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red Willow Vineyard</span>

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Goose Gap AVA</span> Viticultural area in Washington, USA

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Burn of Columbia Valley AVA</span> Viticultural area in Washington, USA

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.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Establishment of the Horse Heaven Hills Viticultural Area (2002R–103P)" (27 CFR 9 [T.D. TTB–28; Re: Notice No. 27] RIN 1513–AA91 Final Rule). Federal Register . 70 (126). Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau {TTB), Treasury: 38004–38009. July 1, 2005. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 18, 2023.PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  2. 1 2 3 "Horse Heaven Hills (AVA): Appellation Profile". Appellation America. 2007. Archived from the original on August 6, 2013. Retrieved January 30, 2008.
  3. "Zephyr Ridge Vineyard". Thurston Wolfe Winery. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  4. Perdue, Andy; Degerman, Eric (February 13, 2019). "Northwest Wine: Prosser showcases history in heart of Yakima Valley". Yakima Herald-Republic. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  5. Parker, Tom (September 1, 2002). Discovering Washington Wines: An Introduction to One of the Most Exciting Premium Wine Regions. Seattle, Wash: Raconteurs Press. p.  85. ISBN   0-9719258-5-2.
  6. Allison, Melissa (May 5, 2006). "Cup of cheer overflows for Snohomish vintners". Seattle Times.
  7. "Snohomish winery makes state history". Seattle Times. May 3, 2006. Archived from the original on May 24, 2011.
  8. "2002 Offerings". Quilceda Creek Vintners. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007.

45°57′44″N119°36′24″W / 45.9623524°N 119.6067541°W / 45.9623524; -119.6067541