View source for Columbia Gorge AVA

{{Short description|Wine region in Oregon and Washington, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2021}}
{{Infobox wine region
| name = Columbia Gorge
| image = TTB_Map_Columbia_Gorge_AVA.png
| official name =
| other name = 
| type = [[American Viticultural Area]]
| year = 2004<ref name="Establish">{{cite journal |url=https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2004-05-10/pdf/04-10513.pdf |  journal=[[Federal Register]] | title=Columbia Gorge Viticultural Area (2002R–03P) | publisher=[[Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau|Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau {TTB)]], [[United States Department of the Treasury|Treasury]]  |format=27 CFR 9 [T.D. TTB–11; Re: Notice No. 11] RIN 1513–AC81 Final rule |volume=69 |issue=90| pages=25831–25835 |date=2004-05-10| archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20230418083419/https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2004-05-10/pdf/04-10513.pdf| archive-date=2023-04-18| url-status=live}}{{PD-notice}}</ref>
| wine years = {{years ago|1880}}<ref name="Establish"/>
| country = United States
| part of = [[Washington wine|Washington]], [[Oregon wine|Oregon]]
| similar = [[Columbia Valley AVA]], [[Walla Walla Valley AVA]]
| sub regions = 
| season = 
| climate region = Region 1b, Maritime/continental
| heat units = 
| precipitation = {{cvt|18|to(-)|30|in|mm|0}}<ref name="Establish"/>
| soil = [[Silty]] [[loams]]<ref name="Establish"/>
| total size = {{cvt|280|sqmi|acre|0}}<ref name="Establish"/>
| planted = {{cvt|1300|acre|ha|0}}<ref name="CGWA">{{cite web|url=https://www.gorgewine.com/cgwa |website=Columbia Gorge Winegrowers Association |title=About the CGWA | date=2023 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20220419225016/https://www.gorgewine.com/cgwa |archive-date=2022-04-19 |access-date=2024-05-05|url-status=live}}</ref>
| vineyards = 90+<ref name="CGWA_Vineyards">{{cite web|url=https://www.gorgewine.com/gorge-vineyards |website=Columbia Gorge Winegrowers Association |title=Vineyards | date=2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240502110220/https://www.gorgewine.com/vineyards |archive-date=2024-05-02 |access-date=2024-05-05|url-status=live}}</ref>
| grapes = [[Barbera]], [[Cabernet Sauvignon]], [[Chardonnay]], [[Chenin blanc]], [[Gewurztraminer]], [[Blaufränkisch|Lemberger]], [[Merlot]], [[Pinot blanc]], [[Pinot gris]], [[Pinot noir]], [[Sangiovese]], [[Sauvignon blanc]], [[Syrah]], [[Tempranillo]], [[Viognier]], [[Zinfandel]]<ref name="Appellation_America">{{cite web|website=Appellation America|date=2007|url=http://wine.appellationamerica.com/wine-region/Columbia-Gorge.html|title=Columbia Gorge (AVA): Appellation Profile|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090428132929/http://wine.appellationamerica.com/wine-region/Columbia-Gorge.html|archive-date=April 28, 2009|access-date=January 30, 2008|url-status=live}}</ref>
| varietals =
| wineries = 50<ref name="CGWA_Wineries"/>
| wine produced =
| designation =
| comments = 
}}

'''Columbia Gorge''' is an [[American Viticultural Area|American Viticultural Area (AVA)]] that encompasses a region within the {{convert|40|mi|km|0}} [[Columbia River Gorge]] and straddles the [[Oregon]] and [[Washington (state)|Washington]] state border. The AVA was established by the [[Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau|Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau {TTB)]], [[United States Department of the Treasury|Treasury]] on July 9, 2004 after reviewing the petition submitted by Mark Wharry, on behalf of the Columbia River Gorge Wine Growers Association, proposing the viticultural area named "Columbia Gorge."<ref name="Petition">{{cite web |title=Petition to Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms For Rule Amendment to Establish Columbia Gorge Appellation American Viticultural Area|url=https://www.ttb.gov/media/68707/download?inline|publisher=[[Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau|Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau {TTB)]], [[United States Department of the Treasury|Treasury]]|format=Columbia River Gorge Wine Growers Association|date=2001-12-30}}{{PD-notice}}</ref> The {{convert|280|sqmi|acre|0}} AVA is located about {{convert|60|mi|km|0}} east of Portland, Oregon, straddles the [[Columbia River ]] for {{convert|15|mi|km|0}}, and extends into south-central Washington and north-central Oregon. The area surrounds [[Hood River, Oregon]], and [[White Salmon, Washington]], and is generally bordered by B Z Corner, Washington, on the north; [[Lyle, Washington]], on the east; [[Parkdale, Oregon]], on the south; and [[Vinzenz Lausmann Memorial State Natural Area|Vinzenz Lausmann State Park, Oregon]], on the west. The area lies due west with an adjacent border to the vast [[Columbia Valley AVA|Columbia Valley]] viticultural area. Due to the significant gradations of climate and geography found in the [[gorge]], the AVA exhibits a wide range of [[terroir]] in a relatively small region; it is marketed as a "world of wine in 40 miles".<ref name="Establish"/><ref name="CGWA_Wineries">{{cite web|url=https://www.gorgewine.com/gorge-wineries |website=Columbia Gorge Winegrowers Association |title=Wineries of The Gorge | date=2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240502110221/https://www.gorgewine.com/gorge-wineries |archive-date=2024-05-02 |access-date=2024-05-05|url-status=live}}</ref>

Columbia Gorge lies in four counties; [[Hood River County, Oregon|Hood River]] and [[Wasco County, Oregon|Wasco]] counties in Oregon, and [[Skamania County, Washington|Skamania]] and [[Klickitat County, Washington|Klickitat]] counties in Washington.<ref name="Establish"/>  The region stretches from [[Hood River, Oregon]] and [[Underwood, Washington]] in the west, to [[Rowena, Oregon]] and [[Lyle, Washington]] in the east.  It includes the river valleys of the [[Hood River (Oregon)|Hood]] and [[Deschutes River (Oregon)|Deschutes]] in Oregon, and the [[Klickitat River|Klickitat]] and [[White Salmon River|White Salmon]] in [[Washington (U.S. state)|Washington]].<ref name="Establish"/><ref name="Appellation_America"/>
{{stack|[[Image:Columbia River Gorge 2.jpg|thumb|The Columbia River (shown here in [[Hood River County, Oregon]]) traverses through the Columbia Gorge AVA]]}}

As the AVA lies east of the summits of nearby [[Mount Hood (Oregon)|Mount Hood]] and [[Mount Adams (Washington)|Mount Adams]], it is in [[rain shadow]] of the [[Cascade Volcanoes]].  The region is significantly drier than the [[Portland, Oregon|Portland]] metropolitan area to the west.  Annual precipitation ranges from {{cvt|30|in|mm|0}} at the western end of the area, to only {{cvt|18|in|mm|0}} in the east.  Elevation in the region varies considerably, increasing as one travels from the Columbia River into the [[plateau]]s on either side, as the strong Columbia Gorge winds significantly influences the region's climate.  This allows a wide variety of grapes to be grown in the Columbia Gorge.<ref name="Establish"/><ref name="WinesNW">{{cite web| url=https://www.winesnw.com/gorgehome.html|title= Columbia Gorge Wine Country...its Wineries and Wines |website=Wines Northwest}}</ref>
The region has about 90+ vineyards, growing a wide variety of grapes, including [[Syrah]], [[Pinot noir]], [[Chardonnay]], [[Gewürztraminer]], [[Zinfandel]], [[Cabernet Sauvignon]], [[Pinot gris]], [[Riesling]], and [[Sangiovese]].<ref name="CGWA_Wineries"/>

==History==
[[Lewis and Clark Expedition|Lewis and Clark]] made the Columbia Gorge famous when they passed through on their way to the Pacific Ocean in 1805. Growers have raised grapes in the Columbia Gorge for over a century. In the 1880s, the Jewitt family, founders of the town of [[White Salmon, Washington]], built terraces on a wide south-facing slope on the bluff above [[Bingen, Washington]].<ref name="Pioneers">{{cite journal |author1=Thompson, Albert J. |title=Memories of White Salmon and Its Pioneers |date=1993-04-01 |publisher=University of Washington |pages=108–126|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/40474887.pdf |journal=The Washington Historical Quarterly|volume=14 |issue=2|jstor=40474887 }}</ref> They planted American vines that they had brought with them from [[Illinois (state)|Illinois]]. Also, the pioneering Balfour and Meress families brought grape cuttings to the Columbia Gorge. John Balfour, the youngest son of
English Lord Balfour, planted grape vines in the early 1900s near the current location of [[Lyle, Washington]]. Leonis and Elizah Meress brought grape cuttings to the area from their native [[Nord (French department)|Adele Nord]], a village in one of France’s coldest regions. Some of the vinifera vines they planted are still alive and have withstood temperatures well below zero. Viticulture in the Columbia Gorge was renewed in the early 1960s when experimental plots were planted on the south facing slopes of [[Underwood, Washington|Underwood Mountain]]. Later, commercial plots were planted under the direction of [[Washington State University]]. As of 2023, the [[Columbia Gorge Winegrowers Association]] comprises 90 or more vineyards and 50 wineries. Currently, {{cvt|1300|acre|ha|0}} are under vine in the Columbia Gorge viticultural area with more being planted each year.<ref name="Establish"/><ref name="CGWA"/><ref name="Oregon_Wine_Press">{{cite web |title=ABCs of Oregon's AVAs |url=https://www.oregonwinepress.com/abcs-of-oregon-avas |website=Oregon Wine Press |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20230207024214/https://www.oregonwinepress.com/abcs-of-oregon-avas |archive-date=2023-02-07 |format=Discovering the state’s 18 wine regions |date=2016-04-01 |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Terroir==
The Columbia Gorge viticultural area’s boundary is based on a combination of topographic, soil, and climatic factors that contrast with the nearby [[Columbia Valley AVA| Columbia Valley]] and [[Willamette Valley AVA| Willamette Valley]] viticultural areas. Much of the boundary line is the {{cvt|2000|ft|m|}} elevation line, which encloses lower elevations and flatter agricultural areas with [[loamy]] soils. Above the {{cvt|2000|ft|m|0}} elevation boundary line the terrain becomes steeper and has gravelly soils more suitable for timber.<ref name="Establish"/>

===Topography===
The Columbia River, twisting and turning on a westbound course, carved the Columbia Gorge, with its sides of steep [[cliff]]s, into the terrain. These sides range from sheer rock faces, consisting of [[volcanic]] [[outcropping]]s of [[igneous]] and [[metamorphic]] rock, to gentle stair-step [[bench (geology)|benchlands]] formed by [[prehistoric]] [[lava flows]]. These benchlands have deep soil and good sun exposure, making them desirable for vineyards. Through the narrow gap in the [[Cascade Mountains]], the Gorge funnels the Pacific’s moist marine air from the west and the drier inland air from the east, back and forth depending on the fluctuating [[air pressure]]. The Columbia Gorge viticultural area benefits from these [[prevailing winds]], which moderate temperatures that otherwise might be warmer in the summer and cooler in the winter.<ref name="Establish"/>

===Climate=== 
The Columbia Gorge appellation climate drastically changes and is distinguished by its proximity to the Cascade crest in the west and the persistent winds passing through the Gorge creating radically different microclimates. Utilizing the [[Winkler index|Amerine-Winkler]] method, Columbia Gorge has different cumulative heat summation during the grape growing season than nearby areas. To the west is a cooler, marine-influenced climate where it rains {{convert|36|in|mm|0}} per year; to the east it’s a continental arid high desert climate with just {{convert|10|in|mm|0}} of annual rainfall. This extreme variance of climate means the area can successfully grow a wide range of classical varieties.<ref name="Establish"/>

The wind's effect on viticulture is noted during the grapevine bud-break to fruit-set period, according to a 1982 article, "''Influence of Windbreaks and Climatic Region on Diurnal Fluctuation of Leaf Water Potential, Stomatal Conductance, and Leaf Temperature of Grapevines''" by Freeman, Kliewer, and Stern in the ''American Journal of Enological Viticulture (vol. 33, pp.233–236)''. The most-often observed consequences of the higher winds within the affected AVAs include a reduction in canopy size and density of grapes on the vines. Also, vines are less prone to disease, based on the wind's drying of wet plant surfaces on where fungal spores or bacteria can land. The volume of wind is also a key factor in determining the amount of irrigation needed for optimum vine growth.<ref name="AJEV_33_4">{{cite journal |author1=Freeman, Brian M. |author2=Kliewer, W. M. |author3=Stern, Peter |title=Influence of Windbreaks and Climatic Region on Diurnal Fluctuation of Leaf Water Potential, Stomatal Conductance, and Leaf Temperature of Grapevines |journal=American Journal for Enology and Viticulture|date=January 1982 |volume=33 |issue=4 |pages=233–236 |url=https://www.ajevonline.org/content/33/4/233 |issn=0002-9254|doi=10.5344/ajev.1982.33.4.233|url-access=subscription }}</ref> 

====Rainfall====
Annual rainfall decreases approximately one inch per mile from west to east within the Columbia Gorge viticultural area from {{cvt|36|in|mm|0}} on the west side of the [[Hood River (Oregon)|Hood River]], to {{cvt|10|in|mm|0}} near its eastern boundary at [[Lyle, Washington]]. By comparison, west of the Columbia Gorge viticultural area boundary the [[Bonneville Dam]] averages {{cvt|77.54|in|mm|2}} and [[Skamania, Washington]], averages {{cvt|85.49|in|mm|2}} of annual rainfall. To the east of the boundary line, [[The Dalles, Oregon]], averages {{cvt|14.52|in|cm|2}} and [[Yakima, Washington]], averages {{cvt|8.21|in|mm|2}} of rainfall annually.<ref name="Establish"/>

====Temperature====
The average growing temperatures within the Columbia Gorge viticultural area range from {{cvt|62|F|C|0}} degrees ([[Appleton, Washington|Appleton]] and [[Wind River (Washington)|Wind River]]) to {{cvt|65|F|C|}} ([[Hood River, Oregon]]), as compared to {{cvt|61|F|C|0}} to the west in Skamania and {{cvt|71.6|F|C|1}}  to the east in The Dalles. In general, grapes grown in this viticultural area are early varietals, such as Pinot Noir and Gewurztraminer, which require fewer high temperature days. By contrast, the Columbia Valley viticultural area is able to grow much later varieties, e.g., Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, due to significantly higher [[Growing degree day|degree growing days]].<ref name="Establish"/>

===Soils===
Soil types within the boundaries of the Columbia Gorge viticultural area are silty loams, as opposed to the more gravelly soils found outside the area. As the valleys on both the Washington and Oregon sides of the area slope up to the surrounding hills, the terrain becomes much steeper, and the soil types change noticeably. Permeability of the silty loams found within the Columbia Gorge viticultural area is slow to moderate, and the available water capacity is high. Effective rooting depth is {{cvt|60|in|cm|0}} or more. Soils include Chemawa, Underwood Loam, McGowen, Wyest Silt Loam, Van Horn, Parkdale Loam, and Oak Grove Loam series. By contrast, the soils immediately surrounding the Columbia Gorge viticultural area, both above the {{cvt|2000|ft|m|}} elevation line and eastward to the Columbia Valley, are generally gravelly with higher permeability. These soils typically support sloped timber areas at more than {{cvt|2000|ft|m|}} above sea level. Examples of soils outside the area are the Steeper McElroy, Undusk Gravelly Loam, Husum Gravelly Loam, Rock Outcrop, Bins-Bindle, Yallani, and Hesslan-Skyline series.<ref name="Establish"/>
{{stack|[[Image:Vineyards in the Columbia Gorge.jpg|thumb|200px|Columbia Gorge vineyards overlooking the Columbia River.]]}}

==Viticulture==
The Columbia Gorge geography is unique where the Cascade Mountains are bisected by the Columbia River through a very narrow passage creating a natural wind funnel. The appellation land area straddles across the river as it traverses on the Washington-Oregon border. 
As a result, the topography produces different [[microclimates]] from west to east as annual rainfall decreases approximately one inch per mile. The western section of the appellation receives an average of {{convert|36|in|mm|0}} of rainfall annually and the eastern section a mere {{convert|10|in|mm|0}}. The western vineyards have more of a maritime influenced climate, ideal for cooler climate grapes and eastern vineyards have a continental climate, better suited to warm weather varieties. Vineyards on both sides of the river share the terroir beneficial to the {{cvt|1300|acre|ha|0}} under vine among 90+ vineyards which cultivate grapes that garnered the attention from regional vintners. On the Washington [[terrace (geology)|terraces]], south-facing sloped vineyards receive the most sunshine and those closest to the mountains are among the few in the state that can be [[dryland farming|dry-farmed]]. These south-facing slopes represent the best aspect for viticulture in the [[Pacific Northwest]] due to the northerly [[latitude]]. The renown Celilo vineyard was particularly admired for its Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.<ref name="CGWA_Wineries"/><ref name="WinesNW"/><ref name="Celilo_History">{{cite web |title=Celilo Vineyard (1972-Present) Columbia Gorge, Washington |url=http://oregonwinehistory.com/Vineyards/CeliloVineyard.html |website=Oregon Wine History |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20200413124010/http://oregonwinehistory.com/Vineyards/CeliloVineyard.html |archive-date=2020-04-13 |date=2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://www.gorgewine.com/ Columbia Gorge Winegrowers Association]
* [https://www.ttb.gov/AVA/ TTB AVA Map]

{{Oregon wine}}
{{coord|45.73349686|-121.59079789|format=dms|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-WA_dim:27000}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Columbia Gorge Ava}}
[[Category:American Viticultural Areas of Washington (state)]]
[[Category:American Viticultural Areas of Oregon]]
[[Category:Geography of Hood River County, Oregon]]
[[Category:Geography of Klickitat County, Washington]]
[[Category:Geography of Skamania County, Washington]]
[[Category:Geography of Wasco County, Oregon]]
[[Category:2004 establishments in Oregon]]
[[Category:2004 establishments in Washington (state)]]