Hot, dry and windy: What makes Eastern Washington’s newest wine growing region stand out?

Washington has secured its 21st American Viticultural Area or AVA.

Beverly, an unincorporated area near Sentinel Gap on the Columbia River, secured approval from the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau for the new AVA on Oct. 29.

Wineries may request approval to use the Beverly AVA on their labels starting Nov. 29.

The Washington Wine Commission announced the new AVA on Oct. 30.

The 2,415-acre Beverly AVA is contained within the larger Columbia Valley AVA. It is situated between Royal Slope and Wahluke Slope.

To earn an AVA designation, a grape-growing region must have distinguishing features, the wine commission said.

Beverly qualified because it is one of the warmest grape-growing regions in the state and one of the driest, receiving only five inches of rain annually.

It is also unusually windy, thanks to Sentinel Gap, a 1.5-mile break in the Saddle Mountains that creates a wind tunnel effect.

Growing conditions are also influenced by Missoula floodwaters that deposited heavier soils than usual, leading to vineyards that are well-drained.

“The Beverly, Washington AVA is a super-hot, windy location on the Columbia River in central Washington. The vines produce very small berries with thick skins. As a result, the vineyards deliver intensely complex, rich wines that age well,” Tom Merkle, director of vineyard operations for Four Feathers Wine Services, said in a press release.

He manages three vineyards within the new AVA.

This story was originally published October 30, 2024 at 11:25 AM.