| Horse Heaven Hills AVA (wine region) | |
|---|---|
| Type | American Viticultural Area |
| Year established | 2005[1] |
| Years of wine industry | since 1972 |
| Country | USA |
| Part of | Columbia Valley AVA, Washington |
| Climate region | Moderate |
| Soil conditions | quick-draining silty loam |
| Total area | 570,000 acres (230,671 ha)[2] |
| Size of planted vineyards | 6,040 acres (2,444 ha)[2] |
| No. of vineyards | 20 |
| Grapes produced | Barbera, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chenin Blanc, Grenache, Malbec, Marsanne, Merlot, Mourvedre, Petit Verdot, Riesling, Roussanne, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Viognier, Zinfandel[2] |
| Wine produced | Varietal, Dessert wine, Meritage, Sparkling wine |
The Horse Heaven Hills AVA is an American Viticultural Area in southeastern Washington, and is part of the larger Columbia Valley AVA. The Horse Heaven Hills AVA borders the Yakima Valley AVA on the north and the Columbia River on the south. Elevations in this AVA range from 200 feet (61 m) above sea level in the south to 1,800 feet (549 m) above sea level at the northern boundary. Grapes planted in the south-facing slopes of the Horse Heaven Hills benefit from strong winds that arrive from the west via the Columbia Gorge, reducing the likelihood of rot and fungal diseases.[2]
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Horse Heavens Hills AVA is home to the single largest wine making facility in Washington, the Columbia Crest Winery owned by Chateau Ste. Michelle in Paterson. Alexandria Nicole Cellars has a large vineyard at Destiny Ridge. The Mercer and Hogue Families have come together to create Mercer Estates which also occupies the region.
Some of Washington's cult wines are produced from Cabernet Sauvignon grapes grown in this AVA including the 2002 and 2003 Quilceda Creek Vintners Cabernet Sauvignon, which scored the rare 100 point rating from Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate.[3] Only 15 other wines in the US have received this designation, all made from California grapes.[4] Only five other previous vintages have received consecutive perfect scores in The Wine Advocate's publishing history.[5] The Quilceda Creek wines were blends with grapes from three Red Mountain AVA vineyards and one Horse Heaven Hills AVA vineyard.[6][7]