Walla Walla Valley AVA
A 340,000-acre viticultural area located in the southern part of the large Columbia Valley AVA. Most of this region is in southeast Washington but a tiny portion dips into northeast Oregon. The area, which had only four wineries and sixty planted acres in the mid-1980s, is growing rapidly. In 2001, approval was given to increase the region’s official size, thus adding wineries and planted vineyards that were previously outside the approved AVA boundaries. There are now over 35 wineries and 1,200 planted acres. The Walla Walla region is highly regarded for its very diverse climate. Dominant varieties are Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, and Syrah, plus a small amount of Gewürztraminer. Leonetti Cellars and Woodward Canyon winery are highly regarded pioneers in this region.
The New Wine Lovers Companion, 2nd Edition, by Ron Herbst and Sharon Tyler Herbst. Copyright © (1) 2003, 1995 by Ron Herbst and Sharon Tyler Herbst. Reprinted by arrangement with Barron's Educational Series, Inc.