Welcome To

5 Introduction By The Washington State Wine Commission Welcome to Washington State, one of the world's most exciting and dynamic wine regions. With 14 unique growing regions, more than 900 wineries, upwards of 55,000 acres of wine grapes and growing international acclaim, Washington continues to explode onto the world stage. Signature Wines & Wineries of Washington offers an insider's look at the state's wine industry through the lens of the people and wineries that make it so special. The Washington State wine story begins with our ancient volcanic history, and alluvial top soils deposited by a series of floods some 15,000 years ago. These top soils and the basalt-based foundation are ideally suited for wine grapes. The towering Cascade Mountain Range splits the state from evergreen coasts and snow-capped mountains to the west, to a vast sagebrush desert to the east. It is this warmer climate in Eastern Washington that provides near-perfect growing conditions for close to 70 grape varieties, primarily Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Riesling, and Syrah. Although wine country boasts 300 days of sunshine and plenty of heat to ripen grapes, temperatures throughout the arid region shift dramatically from day to night, preserving a beautiful natural acidity. This allows our winemakers to combine the vibrant fruit character expected of American wine with the defined structure typical of the Old World. Modern-day winegrowing began in the 1960s, when Washington's innovative growers and winemakers broke ground in a vast, wild territory where conventional wisdom said they could not. Today's Washington winemakers carry on that mindset, refusing to be bound by convention–to push boundaries, experiment, and continuously learn along the way. A hallmark trait of the Washington State wine industry has always been an unbreakable camaraderie, as the groundbreakers knew they had to work together to build the industry as a whole. That sense of community still runs deep, as the current-day winemakers and grape growers live and work in small towns, are active in their communities, connected to the land and eager to share their stories with visitors. Together, they embrace a youthful underdog status to share their wines and message with a common vision. From humble beginnings, Washington State wine has grown to a respected and influential industry with a $5 billion-plus economic impact to the state. Ranking second nationally for premium wine production, Washington wine is available in all 50 states and more than 100 countries. Wineries are opening at a staggering rate, doubling in the past decade to more than 900 in 2017. The land is attracting outside investors and developers, with new vineyards being planted at a breakneck pace. In the midst of such explosive growth, Washington State wine leaders have an eye on the future. In 2003, the Washington Wine Institute and its educational partners celebrated the state's $2.3 million investment to create new two-year and four-year degree programs supporting the state's growing wine industry. A degree program, ongoing education, and research enhance the state's reputation as a quality wine-producing region. In 2011, the industry voted to increase their annual assessments to help fund a world-class Wine Science Center at Washington State University. At the completion of its construction in June 2015, the $23 million facility was the most technologically advanced wine science center in the world. It's an exciting time to enjoy the captivating, irresistible wines of Washington State—and the best is still yet to come. Cheers!

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