American Viticultural Area · WA
Horse Heaven Hills
Horse Heaven Hills is a federally-designated American Viticultural Area in WA, established in 2005. The map below shows its official TTB boundary alongside nearby AVAs.
The Horse Heaven Hills boundary is highlighted. Nearby AVAs are rendered in gray — click any of them to view that AVA's page.
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Established
2005
Size
~574,000
acres
State
WA
Climate
Continental
Signature varietals
Boundary recorded in 27 CFR Part 9 · Source: TTB
About the Horse Heaven Hills AVA
Horse Heaven Hills, designated 2005, is a large AVA on the south-facing slopes that descend toward the Columbia River in south-central Washington. The river moderates temperatures, reducing the risk of the winter freezes and spring frosts that challenge growers elsewhere in the Columbia Valley, while constant wind off the water lowers yields and thickens grape skins. Soils are well-drained wind-deposited silt and sand over basalt. Horse Heaven Hills lies within the larger Columbia Valley AVA.
It is one of Washington's most important growing regions by acreage, home to several of the state's largest and oldest vineyards. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot lead the reds, with Syrah, Chardonnay, Riesling, and Sauvignon Blanc also widely planted. The river-moderated warmth and persistent wind give the reds ripe fruit with firm structure and the whites bright acidity.
Nearby AVAs
Other American Viticultural Areas closest to Horse Heaven Hills — useful when a vineyard sits inside more than one AVA at once.
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Free for wineries, regional associations, and wine-education sites — the interactive Horse Heaven Hills boundary map above, in a single iframe.
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