mORthanPinot

This is the big kahuna, encompassing nearly all of Washington's other wine regions. Think of it as the ultimate catch-all AVA for a bottle of Washington wine. It's so massive and diverse that you can find pretty much anything here, but it's a great place to start your journey into Washington wine.

A tiny but mighty AVA, Red Mountain is all about producing serious, age-worthy red wines. The unique combination of volcanic soil, a hot climate, and a windy-but-sheltered location results in Cabernet Sauvignon that's known for its powerful tannins and intense fruit.

The new kid on the block! This is a teeny-tiny, hot, south-facing slope that's a prime spot for bold red grapes. Despite its small size, it's quickly making a name for itself with powerful Cabernet Sauvignon.

Home to some of the state's most iconic wineries, Walla Walla is a fan favorite for its down-to-earth vibe and incredible wines. It's an epicenter for Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon that are both powerful and elegant, thanks to its high concentration of loess soils.

Named for the wild horses that once roamed these hills, this AVA is all about size and scale. It's a vast, windswept region that produces a huge volume of top-tier grapes, especially Cabernet Sauvignon. It's the engine room of the Washington wine industry.

This region is a total sleeper hit, especially for white wines. Its name comes from the ancient Missoula Floods that carved out a dramatic landscape of basalt cliffs and lakes. The area's cooler climate and calcium-rich soils are perfect for producing crisp Riesling and Chardonnay with a killer minerality.

Located right on the shores of its namesake lake, this AVA is a stunner. The moderating effect of the huge body of water gives the region a longer growing season, resulting in both delicate, fruit-forward wines and some surprisingly complex reds.

This AVA straddles the Washington-Idaho border. It's a "banana belt" with a warmer climate and a unique V-shaped valley that helps protect against frost. It's a great spot for both red and white grapes that you don't typically see in this part of the world.

One of the newest AVAs, this area gets its name from its high heat accumulation and is known for its wind-swept, south-facing slopes. These conditions help produce deeply concentrated and structured reds, especially Cabernet Sauvignon.

This is Washington's OG. As the state's first-ever AVA, the Yakima Valley is a historical powerhouse and is home to nearly half of all the state's planted vineyards. Its diverse terroir allows it to grow a massive range of grapes, from crisp whites to bold reds.

This sub-AVA is at a higher elevation than the rest of the valley, and its varied soils and microclimates are a total win for both red and white grapes. This is a great spot to find wines that are elegant and balanced, thanks to the cooler temps.

Another newer AVA within Yakima Valley, this is a small area known for its unique, steep south-facing slope. It's a goldmine for winemakers who want to grow structured, age-worthy reds with a whole lot of personality.

You've probably heard of this one. It's a completely wild and unique AVA, located entirely on a prehistoric riverbed. The round, cobblestone-like "rocks" on the ground soak up and radiate heat, giving the Syrah and other reds grown here a funky, savory, and almost meaty flavor. It's a whole vibe.

This spot is one of the warmest and driest in the entire state. The area's sandy, well-draining soils and hot climate are perfect for producing super-ripe, full-bodied reds like Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon with huge fruit flavors.

Situated on a large, south-facing slope, this AVA is one of the state's most diverse. Its high elevation and unique soils allow it to produce everything from bright, acidic sparkling wines to bold and complex reds.

This newer AVA is defined by two elevated plateaus that rise above the surrounding area, with soils made of loess and wind-blown sands. It's another hotspot for both elegant whites and bold reds.

This is a small, high-elevation AVA that sits on a volcanic plateau. Its unique, rocky soils and cooler temperatures make it an ideal place for growers experimenting with a variety of grapes, including those that thrive in cooler climates.