Wines Northwest's Wine Country Times
Table of Archival Contents

Continued from page 3...
Back to page 1

Tracing the Roots of Eastern Washington’s Wine Country
Story by Lisa Anderson

The Trail to Quality Wines      Following the trend of fortifying wine, Eastern Washington wineries faced an uphill climb.  How could they become producers of serious premium wine?  It would take a group of professors from the University of Washington and a horticulturist from Washington State University.
In 1956, several University of Washington professors began making wine under the leadership of Dr. Lloyd Woodburne.  Together, they held the belief that Washington State could produce fine European varietal wine.  Initially, the group purchased grapes from the University of California at Davis, which they pressed in Woodburne’s garage in Seattle.  As time passed, their efforts met with success, and in 1962 the group of ten amateurs incorporated as Associated Vintners (AV).         Later that year AV purchased Harrison Hill, the vineyard first planted by William Bridgman, and they replanted it in 1963 with European varietal grape vines.  While their first plantings included Riesling and Gewürztraminer, AV (now Columbia Winery) also experimented with red wine varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon.         Meanwhile, on the other side of the state, Walter Clore (a graduate student of horticulture at Washington State University [WSU]) began to develop an interest in the state's wine industry.  In 1964, the Washington Wine and Grape Growers Council gave funding to WSU to research the best adaptable varieties of grapes for making premium wines.  Clore became involved in the project.  He concerned himself with growing the various grape varietals, and eventually became a true asset to many of Eastern Washington’s young wineries where he served as consultant.         He befriended winemakers and vineyard managers alike, sharing his expertise with as many people as possible.  Clore encouraged American Wine Growers, predecessor to Chateau Ste. Michelle and Stimson Lane, to hire a consultant from California to learn how to make fine premium wines.  They took his advice.        Andre Tchelistcheff of Napa Valley’s Beaulieu Vineyard came to Washington in the latter 60s.  He was at first disappointed with the wines he tasted.  Then he tried a Gewürztraminer from Associated Vintners.  Tchelistcheff tasted the wine and found it to his liking.  Upon his return home, he sang the wine's praises, establishing AV as a producer of serious wine and bringing positive attention to Washington’s wine industry as a whole.  One year later, Tchelistcheff became a consultant for American Wine Growers.  With this event, the wine industry began to head down a serious road... a new road toward quality.        And just in time?  In 1969, the State government repealed its tax break for wineries, and competition was introduced into the state's wine industry.  The industry would meet the challenge, as it headed down its newly blazed trail toward high caliber premium wine production.  Today’s Washington Wines      Washington was recognized first for only its high quality off-dry white wines, such as Riesling and Gewürztraminer.  But thanks to the commitment of determined winemakers and vineyard owners, Washington is now praised for its dry white wines... and its red wines as well.  Wineries continue to experiment with new varietals, pursuing every inch of Washington’s wine-producing potential.	Eastern Washington's Wine Regions The Terroir Yakima Valley     Looking Back...     Today's scene     Wineries Map     Nearby Lodging     Nearby Dining Red Mountain     Looking Back...     Today's scene     Wineries Map     Nearby Lodging     Nearby Dining Columbia Valley     Looking Back...     Today's scene     Wineries Map     Nearby Lodging     Nearby Dining Walla Walla Valley     Looking Back...     Today's scene     Wineries Map     Nearby Lodging     Nearby Dining Wenatchee Valley     Looking Back... Early Statewide Historic Roots Pioneers of Eastern Washington's Wine Industry Prohibition's Impact Bad News... WWII and Fortified Wines The Trail to Quality Today's Wines
From its humble beginnings, Washington’s wine industry persevered, and today, it flourishes.  More than 400 wineries now call Washington home.  A vast majority are in Eastern Washington, where 98% of the state’s wines are produced.  According to the Washington Wine Commission, a new wine is introduced every four weeks, while total wine-grape acreage doubles every four years.           The potential for Eastern Washington Wine Country seems to have no limits.  In the Preface to his book about Washington’s wine history, The Wine Project, Walter Clore sums it up.        “In the Columbia Basin, when good cultural practices are followed, every year is a vintage year.  I envision no limitations to the continued growth of the premium wine industry.”         In Eastern Washington wine country, the adventure has just begun. To view a list of other previous feature articles, see Table of Contents. Register for our Newsletter to receive updates and wine-tour planning info.                               Copyright © 2001 - 2008 Susan R. O'Hara.   All rights reserved. Last revised: 12/31/2007