Columbia Gorge AVA
American Viticultural Area / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Columbia Gorge is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) which includes land surrounding the Columbia River Gorge, straddling the border between Oregon and Washington. The AVA was established by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau {TTB), Treasury on July 9, 2004 after reviewing the petition submitted by Mark Wharry, on behalf of the Columbia River Gorge Wine Growers Association, proposing the viticultural area named "Columbia Gorge." The 280 square miles (179,200 acres) AVA is located about 60 miles (97 km) east of Portland, Oregon, straddles the Columbia River for 15 miles (24 km), and extends into south-central Washington and north-central Oregon. The area surrounds Hood River, Oregon, and White Salmon, Washington, and is generally bordered by B Z Corner, Washington, on the north; Lyle, Washington, on the east; Parkdale, Oregon, on the south; and Vinzenz Lausmann State Park, Oregon, on the west. The area is just west of the established Columbia Valley viticultural area and shares a border with it. Due to the significant gradations of climate and geography found in the gorge, this AVA exhibits a wide range of terroir in a relatively small region; it is marketed as a "world of wine in 40 miles".[1][3]
Wine region | |
Type | American Viticultural Area |
---|---|
Year established | 2004[1] |
Country | United States |
Part of | Washington, Oregon |
Other regions in Washington, Oregon | Columbia Valley AVA |
Climate region | Maritime/continental |
Precipitation (annual average) | 18 to 30 in (457–762 mm)[1] |
Total area | 280 sq mi (179,200 acres)[1] |
No. of vineyards | 24[1] |
Grapes produced | Barbera, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Chenin blanc, Gewurztraminer, Lemberger, Merlot, Pinot blanc, Pinot gris, Pinot noir, Sangiovese, Sauvignon blanc, Syrah, Tempranillo, Viognier, Zinfandel[2] |
No. of wineries | 4[1] |