Yakima Valley

Wine from Yakima Valley comes out of Columbia Valley, USA, where it sits as a wine region.

Growers build the wines around Chardonnay, filling out the blend with Cabernet Sauvignon, Bordeaux Blend Red, Syrah and Riesling.

Vines root into alluvial, basalt and gravel.

The climate is continental, running wide diurnal swing.

The vineyards themselves read as hills, mountains and riverside.

Red wine, white wine and sparkling wine, plus two more is what the region is known for, and in the glass it shows complex and aromatic and showcasing diverse fruit flavors.

Quality is codified by the AVA, which is worth reading off the label.

The named areas within are Red Mountain, Rattlesnake Hills, Snipes Mountain and Candy Mountain.

Producers worth knowing include Andrew Will, DeLille Cellars, Force Majeure and Hedges Family Estate.

Pour them alongside grilled salmon, roasted duck, rich cheeses and spicy asian dishes.

Serve chilled.

Keeps for 5 to 10 years.

In the glass.

Sweet white: Complex and aromatic, Showcasing diverse fruit flavors.

Grapes planted here.

Classifications.

• AVA

Producers worth knowing.

Bottles to look for.

• Andrew Will Winery Ciel du Cheval Red, Red Mountain, USA
• Andrew Will Winery Two Blondes Vineyard Red, Yakima Valley, USA
• Aquilini 'Eroe' Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain, USA
• Aquilini A56 Red Blend, Red Mountain, USA
• Aquilini Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain, USA
• Avennia Arnaut Boushey Vineyard Syrah, Yakima Valley, USA
• Canvasback Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain, USA
• Charles Smith K Vintners The Cattle King Syrah, Snipes Mountain, USA

At the table.

• Grilled salmon
• Roasted duck
• Rich cheeses
• Spicy Asian dishes

Serving and cellaring.

• Serve chilled.
• Keeps for 5 to 10 years.

Inside the region.

Nearby regions.

Yakima Valley: common questions

More from here: every wine region in USA, or the wider Columbia Valley guide.