Wahluke Slope AVA
| Wine region | |
| Type | American Viticultural Area |
|---|---|
| Year established | 2006 |
| Country | United States |
| Part of | Washington, Columbia Valley AVA |
| Other regions in Washington, Columbia Valley AVA | Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley AVA, Beverly, Washington AVA, Horse Heaven Hills AVA, Naches Heights AVA. Lake Chelan AVA, The Burn of Columbia Valley AVA, Rocky Reach AVA, Royal Slope AVA, Walla Walla Valley AVA, White Bluffs AVA |
| Growing season | 212 days |
| Climate region | Region III |
| Heat units | 3,013 GDD units |
| Precipitation (annual average) | 5.9 in (149.9 mm) |
| Total area | 81,000 acres (127 sq mi) |
| Size of planted vineyards | 5,200 acres (2,100 ha) |
| No. of vineyards | 20 |
| Grapes produced | Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, Grenache, Merlot, Mourvedre, Petit Verdot, Sangiovese, Sauvignon blanc, Syrah, Viognier, Zinfandel |
| Wine produced | Varietal, Dessert wine, Sparkling wine, Meritage |
Wahluke Slope is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) located within Grant County, Washington. It was established on January 6, 2006, by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), Treasury after reviewing the petition submitted by the Wahluke Slope Wine Grape Growers Association (WSWGGA), represented by Alan J. Busacca, Ph.D., proposing the establishment of the viticultural area named "Wahluke Slope."
Wahluke Slope is approximately 145 miles (233 km) southeast of Seattle and immediately north of the Hanford Reservation of the United States Department of Energy (USDOE). "Wahluke" is a Native American word for "watering place," The appellation is within the vast Columbia Valley AVA and encompasses 80,490 acres (126 sq mi) with approximately 8,931 acres (3,614 ha) under vine which is nearly 15 percent of the state's total wine grape acreage. It is resident to more than 20 vineyards and at least three wine production facilities. The region cultivates Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesling, Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc, but is primarily known for its Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.