
Columbia Valley Wine Washington
Learn about Columbia Valley wine, common tasting notes, where the region is and more ...
A large and geographically diverse AVA capable of producing a wide variety of wine styles, the Columbia Valley AVA is home to 99% of Washington state’s total vineyard area. A small section of the AVA even extends into northern Oregon!
Because of its size, it is necessarily divided into several distinctive sub-AVAs, including Walla Walla Valley and Yakima Valley—which are both further split into smaller, noteworthy appellations. A region this size will of course have varied microclimates, but on the whole it experiences extreme winters and long, hot, dry summers. Frost is a common risk during winter and spring. The towering Cascade mountain range creates a rain shadow, keeping the valley relatively rain-free throughout the entire year, necessitating irrigation from the Columbia River. The lack of humidity combined with sandy soils allows for vines to be grown on their own rootstock, as phylloxera is not a serious concern.
Red wines make up the majority of production in the Columbia Valley. Cabernet Sauvignon is the dominant variety here, where it produces wines with a pleasant balance of dark fruit and herbs. Wines made from Merlot are typically supple, with sweet red fruit and sometimes a hint of chocolate or mint. Syrah tends to be savory and Old-World-leaning, with a wide range of possible fruit flavors and plenty of spice. The most planted white varieties are Chardonnay and Riesling. These range in style from citrus and green apple dominant in cooler sites, to riper, fleshier wines with stone fruit flavors coming from the warmer vineyards.
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Substance Cabernet Sauvignon 2018Cabernet Sauvignon from Columbia Valley, Washington
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Chateau Ste. Michelle Chardonnay 2018Chardonnay from Columbia Valley, Washington
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Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon 2017Cabernet Sauvignon from Columbia Valley, Washington
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Double Canyon Horse Heaven Hills Cabernet Sauvignon 2016Cabernet Sauvignon from Horse Heaven Hills, Columbia Valley, Washington
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Chateau Ste. Michelle Harvest Select Sweet Riesling 2018Riesling from Columbia Valley, Washington
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Columbia Crest H3 Cabernet Sauvignon 2018Cabernet Sauvignon from Horse Heaven Hills, Columbia Valley, Washington
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Chateau Ste. Michelle Cabernet Sauvignon 2017Cabernet Sauvignon from Columbia Valley, Washington
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Andrew Will Winery Sorella 2015Bordeaux Red Blends from Columbia Valley, Washington
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Borne of Fire Cabernet Sauvignon 2017Cabernet Sauvignon from Columbia Valley, Washington
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Col Solare Cabernet Sauvignon 2016Cabernet Sauvignon from Red Mountain, Yakima Valley, Columbia Valley, Washington
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Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling 2019Riesling from Columbia Valley, Washington
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Intrinsic Red Blend 2017Bordeaux Red Blends from Columbia Valley, Washington
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DeLille D2 Estate Red 2017Bordeaux Red Blends from Columbia Valley, Washington
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Leonetti Cabernet Sauvignon 2017Cabernet Sauvignon from Walla Walla Valley, Columbia Valley, Washington
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Golden West Pinot Noir 2018Pinot Noir from Columbia Valley, Washington
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Intrinsic Cabernet Sauvignon 2017Cabernet Sauvignon from Columbia Valley, Washington
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Chateau Ste. Michelle Chardonnay 2019Chardonnay from Columbia Valley, Washington
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Columbia Crest Grand Estates Cabernet Sauvignon 2017Cabernet Sauvignon from Columbia Valley, Washington
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Chateau Ste. Michelle Indian Wells Cabernet Sauvignon 2017Cabernet Sauvignon from Columbia Valley, Washington
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L'Ecole 41 Walla Walla Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2017Cabernet Sauvignon from Walla Walla Valley, Columbia Valley, Washington
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Canvasback Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2017Cabernet Sauvignon from Red Mountain, Yakima Valley, Columbia Valley, Washington
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Chateau Ste. Michelle Ethos Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2014Cabernet Sauvignon from Columbia Valley, Washington
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L'Ecole 41 Estate Merlot 2017Merlot from Walla Walla Valley, Columbia Valley, Washington
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Substance Chardonnay 2019Chardonnay from Columbia Valley, Washington
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Browne Family Vineyards Tribute Red Blend 2016Bordeaux Red Blends from Columbia Valley, Washington
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