Andrew Johnson
3018836
HORT 1031
2008-03-24
Geography in Relation to Wine Growing
Washington State is located in the most north-west section of the contiguous United
States, but despite being far north, has a very temperate climate due to its proximity to the ocean.
Washingtonians experience monthly average temperatures ranging from 20-84 degrees
Fahrenheit, depending on the season.1 This means almost any type of temperate produce can be
grown, include all common grape varieties. Appendix C shows the rainfall distribution for the
state, with the Seattle Bay area and Cascade Mountains being most infamous for heavy rainfall.
The parts of the state where there is this much rain are actually the worst areas to grow grapes,
because they do not get enough sun and they drown in the rain, despite Washington averaging
two hours more daylight in the summer than California.2 Therefore, compare the rainfall map of
appendix C to the wine growing regions map of appendix B, and it is clear that the regions with
less rainfall are chosen for grape growing. The mountains are also avoided because of poor soil
quality.
Washington has the eleventh highest agricultural market in the nation, but they are ranked
third for production of fruit.3 While Washington is most noted for its apples (highest producer in
the nation), they are also recognized for their grapes, and they are the second highest producer in
the nation of grapes harvested for the purpose of creating wine.4 As seen in appendix A, a quarter
of Washington’s agriculture products are fruit, with 7% of that fruit being grapes.5 Of the grapes,
about half are used to make wine, with slightly more white varietals than reds.
1
http://www.netstate.com/states/geography/wa_geography.htm
http://www.winesnw.com/wahome.html
3
http://www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/Ag_Overview/AgOverview_WA.pdf
4
http://artofthevine.net/regionwashington.htm#wineboom
5
http://artofthevine.net/regionwashington.htm
2
Tourism is very important for Washington and wine is one of the largest attractions in the
state, contributing over $20 million annually.6 It is noted that wine-tasting tourists stay longer
and provide more input into the Washington economy than other type of tourists. For this reason,
Washington has nine federally recognized AVAs (American Viticultural Areas.)7 Washington is
also collaborating currently with Florida to pair Washington wines with Florida seafood in southeastern restaurants. The most famous area for tourism is the Puget Sound winery strip, notable
for having more acreage of wineries than of vineyards.8
After 60 minutes created their exposé on American wines beating out French wines in
1991, Washington has been second only to California is the benefits of the wine boom.
Washington wines are considered to be the best US wines that are not from California. Most
notable are Washington’s Pinot Noir, Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Sauvignon
Blanc, Chardonnay, and Gewurztraminer. One particular winery to look for might be Quilceda
Creek, who’s cabernet sauvignon has been given a perfect 100 by famous wine critics Robert
Parker and Paul Gregutt.9 This, unfortunately, adds about $70 to the price. Another favorite,
Delille Cellars, makes a comparable cabernet sauvignon for half the price.
Most of Washington’s wineries are spread out, but because Seattle is at the center of the
Puget Sound region, many of the nearby wineries are very accessible to tourists.
Further Reading: http://www.winesnw.com/wahome.html
6
The Seattle Times-Taste, by Paul Greguit. http://artofthevine.net/regionwashington.htm#SOTA
http://www.winesnw.com/wahome.html
8
http://www.winesnw.com/puget.html
9
http://www.santafenewmexican.com/Food/Wine-lovers-taking-a-fresh-look-at-Washington-bounty
7
Viticulture of the Region
The important grape varieties of Washington State are Concord and Niagara for vitis
labrosca, and cabernet sauvignon, merlot, syrah, chardonnay, and reisling for vitis vinifera.
However, there are some famous Washington sauvignon blancs and gewürztraminers. The
concord and Niagara grapes are used mostly for juice purposes, and they make up 46% of the
grape production of Washington. The grapes produced for wine make up the other 54%.10
The most important soil and climate factors affecting viticulture in Washington involve
where there is good soil and rain and sun. the growers deal with the issue of soil by not growing
where it is rocky, notably in the Cascade mountains, and they deal with the excess rainfall by
avoiding the areas that get too much rain. The rain also means there is less sun, but because
Washington is so far north, summer days last longer than equatorial regions.11
Washington uses a divided canopy management system.12
Problems and diseases afflicting Washington viticulture include berry shrivel [explain
this more]13 and
• Insects & arthropods
• Diseases
• Nematodes
• Weeds
• Vertebrates
(these will be elaborated, source is http://www.vinewise.org/227.html14
Vinewise new winery plan for special Washington practices.
10
http://www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/Washington/Publications/
http://www.winesnw.com/wahome.html
12
http://www.tricity.wsu.edu/aenews/Grape/EB1871productoverview.html
13
http://winegrapes.wsu.edu/archivedTOM/topic11-06.html
14
http://www.vinewise.org/227.html
11
other fruit
93%
grapes
7%
other agriculture
76%
juice
46%
w ine
54%
56%
Whit es
fruit
24%
44%
Reds
Other White 1%
Muscat Canelli 1%
Pinot Gris 4%
Sauvignon Blanc 7%
Semillon 2%
Viognier 3%
Lemberger 0%
Malbec 1%
Gew urztraminer 5%
Chenin Blanc 2%
Chardonnay 43%
Cabernet Sauvignon
34%
Grenache 1%
Cabernet Franc 7%
Washington White Wines by Acreage
Merlot 34%
White Riesling 32%
Mouverdre 1%
Petit Verdot 1%
Pinot Noir 2%
Sangiovese 1%
Syrah 16%
Zinfandel 0%
Other Red 2%
Washington Red Wines by Acreage
Appendix A: Washington State Agriculture Statistics
Data from the US Dept of Agriculture
http://www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/Washington/Publications/
Appendix B: Washington Geographic Regions
From “Washington Wineries, Washington Wines and Washington Wine Regions”
http://www.winesnw.com/wahome.html
Official Appellations/AVAs
Other Unofficial Wine Country Regions
Appendix C: Washington State Rainfall
http://www.wamaps.com/maps/precipitation_map.gif