The Columbia Gorge American Viticultural Area, encompassing vineyards and wineries in Washington and Oregon, is a region of strong contrasts and distinct wine styles. Stark differences in rainfall, soils, and temperatures enable growers to produce a wide range of wine grape –varietals. A busload of Pacific Northwest wine grape growers and vintners spent a day visiting the Columbia Gorge AVA in August as part of the Washington Association of Wine Grape Growers’ summer educational program. Each summer, the association takes an in-depth look at a different wine region, studying the soils, geology, climate, and wine grape varietals to learn about […]