Watch out, California—there’s a new regional wine monolith on the scene. Over the past several decades, Washington State has made the impressive climb to the top of the U.S. wine industry, now claiming the #2 spot on the national production rankings. That’s no small feat (or should we say splash). Today, our state is home to over 1,050 wineries and 56,000 grape-growing acres, generating a mammoth $10.5 billion in economic impact.
Washington has always been primed for viticultural greatness. Our state shares the same advantageous latitude as the premier wine regions in Europe (no wonder our wines taste so spectacular!). But Washington possesses something that even the Tuscan hillsides and Bordeaux estates don’t: a highly diverse geographic landscape, perfect for cultivating a range of unique varietals. From fruity Rieslings to oaky Cabernets and earthy Syrahs, Washington is anything but a one-grape wonder. For growers, our region is a bit of a gold mine—an open canvas with less competition and more freedom to innovate, all held together by a tight-knit, collaborative winemaking community.
So whether you’re a dedicated Woodinville wine club member or more of a sipping-Chardonnay-on-the-couch-in-your-PJs imbiber, let’s raise a glass and uncork the incredible world of Washington wine.
Terroir-ific Terminology
Before we go any further, let’s take a moment for a quick key-terms lesson to add some body to our wine journey. Keep these in your back pocket to impress friends and family at your next winery visit:
Viticulture: The practice of cultivating grapevines for consumption.
Terroir: The overlapping factors that shape a particular wine’s flavor and story, such as weather, soil composition, local flora and fauna, human influence, and historical legacy.
Appellations: A broad, global term for a geographic area where grapes are grown and the particular set of grape varieties, farming practices, and winemaking techniques used there.
American Viticultural Areas (AVAs): Legally designated grape-growing regions in the U.S. with distinct environmental characteristics. The Washington State Wine Commission reports that there are 21 AVAs within our borders.
Viticulture, terroir, appellations, and AVAs are intrinsically linked. Together, they compose the rich symphony of Washington wine’s world-class quality, striking regional diversity, and growing global reputation.
Di-Vine Regional Attributes
Washington State has a remarkable number of microclimates, each acting as fertile breeding ground for cultivating unique varietals. Take the Columbia Valley—the largest and most renowned appellation in the state—which is comprised of 10 sub-AVAs. Thanks to the valley’s near-perfect growing conditions, over 99% of Washington wines are produced here.
Sprawled to the east of the Olympic and Cascade mountain ranges, the Columbia Valley experiences a rain shadow effect that shields it from Western Washington’s abrasive wet weather systems. The result is a hot, arid climate where grapevines thrive.
Eastern Washington exhibits some of the steepest day and night temperature swings of any of the world’s wine regions—another point in its favor. Warm days help grapes ripen to their fullest potential, intensifying flavor and complexity, while cool nights preserve natural acidity and support the development of bold tannins.
You don’t even need a lot of land to succeed in the Washington wine scene. The Candy Mountain appellation is proof of that. At a mere 110 planted acres and 2 operating wineries, it’s Washington’s smallest AVA, yet it has earned a reputation for boutique-style winemaking and premium reds that rival those from much larger regions.
“The ability to create great wines in smaller lots, relative to other regions outside the state, makes Washington an attractive place for winemakers,” says Mark Takagi, our resident wine expert with over 40 years of experience in Washington’s wine industry.
Partners in Wine
It’s not to be understated how much the strong sense of camaraderie shared among Washington vintners has fueled the success of the state’s wine scene. Winemakers like Mark McNeilly (Mark Ryan Winery), Jason Gorski (DeLille Cellars), and Chris Gorman (Gorman Winery) don’t view one another as rivals—rather, they see each other as allies in the great grape game.
Mark Takagi applauds this spirit of collaboration: “The cool part about our business is that everybody is willing to help each other. If somebody lost their harvest, someone would step in and offer some of their own grapes.”
No doubt, this one-team ethos colors the terroir of every bottle of Washington wine. Looking ahead, Takagi notes an exciting evolution: “We’re starting to see a changing-of-the-guard, with new winemakers and family members impressing their own ideas and contributions on the future of the wine industry.”
Vintage Legacy
To truly appreciate the expansive Washington wine scene we enjoy today, we must first return to its humble roots. The very first wine grapes were planted here in the early 1800s, but momentum really began to build in the 1930s with the formation of the Producer’s Association.
By 1981, only 19 licensed wineries operated in the entire state. Fast forward to the 2000s, and Washington experienced rapid growth, culminating in a milestone of 1,000 licensed wineries in 2019.
In the early days of Washington’s modern wine landscape, trailblazers like Bob Betz (Betz Family Winery), Marty Clubb (L’Ecole No. 41), and Rob Griffin (Barnard Griffin Winery) championed the region’s raw potential and showed the rest of the nation what Washington wine could become. Chateau Ste. Michelle, in particular, put Washington on the global wine map, establishing a strong foundation for today’s generation of winemakers.
Takagi reflects, “The growth in Washington wine has been astounding, and it’s important to note that Washington has been careful to keep high growing standards without sacrificing quality through the process.”
The All-Time Grapes
Washington is home to over 80 grape varieties, many of which are grown in small batches for artisanal quality and sensational taste. Leading the pack is Cabernet Sauvignon, accounting for 30% of the state’s total wine production and earning the title of Washington’s #1 varietal.
It’s followed by fan favorites like Chardonnay, Riesling, Merlot, and Syrah. So regardless of whether you’re a red devotee or a white wine enthusiast, you’re guaranteed to find a wine that mesmerizes your palate in Washington’s diverse wine portfolio.
Thirsty for more?
Tasting rooms are scattered across the state, including close to home in Seattle and Woodinville—the latter now a premier wine-tasting destination where you can find more than 100 wineries pouring their newest varietals.
Prefer to sip at home? Stop by Metropolitan Market and check out our wide selection of Washington wines curated by our very own Mark Takagi, including exclusive vintages you won’t find anywhere else. Our knowledgeable wine stewards can help you find the perfect bottle!