The state of Washington is known for many things. Chief of this is it having the capital of the United States within its borders; with the White House, sitting prominently along D.C.’s Pennsylvania Avenue. So you might want to holler to the President the next time you come by. And oh, one of the richest men in the world also resides there – Bill Gates. Make it a point to drop by his mansion when you’re in town. Besides the U.S. government’s head office, commercial juggernauts Microsoft and Starbucks are also headquartered in Washington.
What else? They’ve got some of the most beautiful mountains and lakes in that side of the country. Thousands of tourists troop every day to the world-renowned Smithsonian Museum, the building that houses some of America’s greatest treasures. Legendary musicians Jimi Hendrix and Kurt Cobain were born there – you can thank them for these two. And of course, the apples. Who could forget about that? There is no bad apple in that state.
Government, electronics, coffee, the arts, and apples – a pretty impressive resume for Washington, eh? And if all of those aren’t enough, the state is also home of some of the finest wine made in the United States.
Washington is second to one, California that is, when it comes to national wine production. But California better watch out since the Washington has been experiencing tremendous growth within the industry in recent years. The state houses more than 600 wineries all over the region. Washington has been exporting their wine to over 40 countries all around the globe. Last year, they were able to produce 160,000 tons of wine grapes throughout their 40,000 acres of vineries. Wine production is one of the state’s most-prized industries as it contributes billions of dollars to the local and national economy.
Some of the top wine brands are produced in the state of Washington – Riesling, Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Gris, and Cabernet Sauvignon, to name a few. So why exactly do these brands source their wine grapes from the state? Besides Washington’s experience and long history of wine-making (they’ve been at it since 1825), the state, particularly Eastern Washington, is blessed with the perfect location and climate for growing wine grapes.
Some stats to consider:
- The Sun – To ripen grapes into prime form, they need the sun to develop. For 300 days a year, there are zero clouds, giving grapes quality time with light and warmth. They also get 17.5 hours of sun every day, giving their produce the right amount of warmth. Similar to famous North European wine regions, Washington is on a latitude that is ideal for getting a good angle of the sun.
- Dry – Eastern Washington is often dubbed as a “semi-desert” –excellent for growing grape vines. The state gets very little rainfall annually.
- Water – Being surrounded by mountains and rivers makes it easier for grape farmers to find sources for irrigation. Combining it with the dry climate, growers are able to control how much moisture is allotted to their vines.
- Soil – Eastern Washington is fortunate to having soil that is in best agreement with growing grapes. Dirt that is sandy or rocky (aids in draining water), lacks in nitrogen, and contains organic nutrient matter is perfect for this endeavor – and the state is home to soil that is exactly that.
Those conditions contribute to Washington having some of the best-tasting wine in the world. The next time you enjoy a bottle of quality wine, don’t be surprised if it was manufactured in the vineyards of Washington. The state’s great tradition of winemaking will only mature better with age – just like fine wine.