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--The History of Washington Wines--
Washington’s first wine grapes were planted at Fort Vancouver by the Hudson’s Bay Company in 1825. By 1910, wine grapes were growing in most areas of the state, following the path of early settlers. Initially, it was French, German and Italian immigrants who pioneered the earliest plantings. Wine historians Ron Irvine and the late Dr. Walter Clore document in their book, The Wine Project, a continuous and connected effort to cultivate wine grapes beginning with those early plantings at Fort Vancouver. Hybrid varieties arrived in nurseries in the Puget Sound region as early as 1854 and by 1860, wine grapes were planted in the Walla Walla Valley.
Large-scale irrigation, fueled by runoff from the melting snowcaps of the Cascade Mountains, arrived in eastern Washington in 1903 unlocking the dormant potential of the rich volcanic soils and warm, sunny desert-like climate. Italian and German varietals were planted in the Yakima and Columbia Valleys and wine grape acreage expanded rapidly in the early part of the 20th century. In 1910, the first annual Columbia River Valley Grape Carnival was held in Kennewick. By 1914 important vineyards had sprung up in the Yakima Valley, most notably the vineyards of W.B. Bridgman of Sunnyside.
The arrival of prohibition in 1920 put a damper on wine grape production, but ironically may have helped spawn early interest in home winemaking. At the end of prohibition the first bonded winery in the Northwest was founded on Puget Sound’s Stretch Island. By 1938 there were 42 wineries located throughout the state.
The first commercial-scale plantings began in the 1960’s and efforts of the earliest producers, predecessors to today’s Columbia Winery and Chateau Ste. Michelle, atracted the attention of wine historian Leon Adams. Adams introduced pioneering enologist Andre Tchelistcheff to Chateau Ste. Michelle. It was Tchelistcheff who helped guide Chateau Ste. Michelle’s early efforts and mentored
modern winemaking in this state. The resulting rapid expansion of the industry in the mid-70’s is now rivaled by continued steady growth and the quest for quality in the production of premium wine.
The trend started by a few home winemakers and visionary farmers has become a respected and influential $3 billion industry with 14,000 jobs. Shipments of Washington wine go to all 50 states and more than 40 countries globally. Washington ranks second nationally for premium wine production and more than 30,000 acres (12,141 hectares) are planted to vinifera grapes.
Significant developments in Washington State include the formation of the Washington Wine Commission in 1987, a unified marketing and trade association. In 1999, the Commission established the Washington Wine Quality Alliance (WWQA) to spearhead development of industry standards in winemaking and labeling. Washington is the first state in the U.S. to define standards for “reserve” wines.
Washington’s wine future is limitless. As consumers discover the quality of Washington wines, demand continues to grow nationally and internationally. New acreage and new varietals are being planted and new wineries are opening at a remarkable pace. Washington state is recognized as a premium viticultural region around the world. --Courtesty of Washington Wine Commission
--Washington Wine Quality in the News--
The "Around the World" article study by Wine Spectator Magazine in it's January 31 - February 29, 2007 "Ultimate Buying Guide" issue compared Washington State to other red wine producing regions in the world which submitted wines for scores in the calendar year 2006. The results show a striking fact-Washington wines are the best value in the world:
Argentina: 15% of all wines received a Classic Score of 90 points or higher.
Average price: $47/btl retail.
Australia: 27% of all wines received a Classic Score of 90 points or higher.
Average price: $49/btl retail.
Bordeaux: 28% of all wines received a Classic Score of 90 points or higher.
Average price: $92/btl retail.
California: 28% of all wines received a Classic Score of 90 points or higher.
Average price: $70/btl retail. (This is an aggregate of CS/MLT/SYR score; they rated eight grapes seperately)
Chile: 12% of all wines received a Classic Score of 90 points or higher.
Average price: $41/btl retail.
Spain: 14% of all wines received a Classic Score of 90 points or higher.
Average price: $72/btl retail.
WASHINGTON: 31% of all wines received a Classic Score of 90 points or higher.
Average price: $38/btl retail.
As you can see, Washington State has the highest percentage of Classic scoring wines (the closest two regions - Bordeaux and California - are 3% behind) and a lower cost than any of regions. The study results illustrate that the empirical quality and value of Washington wines is absolutely astounding.
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