Horse Heaven Hills AVA

Infobox Wine Region
name = Horse Heaven Hills AVA


official name =
other name =
type = American Viticultural Area
year = 2005 [http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr;sid=bff700d0bbb2a632948b70fe7e91d7d4;rgn=div5;view=text;node=27%3A1.0.1.1.7;idno=27;cc=ecfr#27:1.0.1.1.7.3.41.168 Code of Federal Regulations. "§ 9.1888 Horse Heaven Hills."] Title 27: Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; Part 9 — American Viticultural Areas; Subpart C — Approved American Viticultural Areas. Retrieved Jan. 30, 2008.]
wine years = since 1972
country = USA
part of = Columbia Valley AVA, Washington
similar =
sub regions =
season =
climate region = Moderate
heat units =
precipitation =
soil = quick-draining silty loam
total size = convert|570000|acre|ha|0Appellation America (2007). [http://wine.appellationamerica.com/wine-region/Horse-Heaven-Hills.html "Horse Heaven Hills (AVA): Appellation Description"] . Retrieved Jan. 30, 2008.]
planted = convert|6040|acre|ha|0
vineyards = 20
grapes = Barbera, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chenin Blanc, Grenache, Malbec, Merlot, Mourvedre, Petit Verdot, Riesling, Roussanne, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Viognier, Zinfandel
varietals =
wineries =
wine produced = Varietal, Dessert wine, Meritage, Sparkling wine
designation =
comments =

The Horse Heaven Hills AVA is an American Viticultural Area in southeastern Washington, and is part of the larger Columbia Valley AVA. The Horse Heaven Hills AVA borders the Yakima Valley AVA on the north and the Columbia River on the south. Elevations in this AVA range from convert|200|ft|m|0 above sea level in the south to convert|1800|ft|m|0 above sea level at the northern boundary. Grapes planted in the south-facing slopes of the Horse Heaven Hills benefit from strong winds that arrive from the west via the Columbia Gorge, reducing the likelihood of rot and fungal diseases.

Wineries

Horse Heavens Hills AVA is home to the single largest wine making facility in Washington, the Columbia Crest Winery owned by Chateau Ste. Michelle in Paterson. In addition to producing over 2 million cases of their brand wines, the facility is also used for the production of the Domaine Ste Michelle sparkling wines. T. Parker "Discovering Washington Wines" pg 34 Raconteurs Press 2002 ISBN 0971925852]

Wines

Some of Washington's cult wines are produced from Cabernet Sauvignon grapes grown in this AVA including the 2002 and 2003 Quilceda Creek Vintners Cabernet Sauvignon, which scored the rare 100 point rating from Robert Parker's "The Wine Advocate". T. Parker "Discovering Washington Wines" pg 85 Raconteurs Press 2002 ISBN 0971925852] Only 15 other wines in the US have received this designation, all made from California grapes. [ M. Allision " [http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2002973126_wine05.html Cup of cheer overflows for Snohomish vintners] " Seattle Times May 5, 2006] Only five other previous vintages have received consecutive perfect scores in "The Wine Advocate"'s publishing history. [ Business Digest " [http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2002955799_bizbriefs27.html Snohomish winery makes state history] " May 3rd, 2006] The Quilceda Creek wines were blends with grapes from three Red Mountain AVA vineyards and one Horse Heaven Hills AVA vineyard. [ Quilceda Creek [http://www.quilcedacreek.com/VintageNotes.asp?SID=63&SSID=B2EC6465-F245-4FBB-A1B2-92A22A30E945&yr=2002 2002 Vintage] Tasting Notes ] [ Quilceda Creek [http://www.quilcedacreek.com/VintageNotes.asp?SID=63&SSID=B2EC6465-F245-4FBB-A1B2-92A22A30E945&yr=2003 2003 Vintage] Tasting notes]

See also

*Washington wine

References