| Most people don't think of Washington... | | | | smaller wineries also tend to have a greater |
| ...as a good growing area. Popular culture out of | | | | consistency within specific vintages of wine. |
| Hollywood has Seattle's rainy climate spread to | | | | Smaller wineries will often allow the wine lover |
| the whole state. Nothing could be further from | | | | access to the owners and even the wine makers |
| the truth. The eastern part of the state gets | | | | for conversation and education. Sometimes wine |
| over 300 nice days per year because of the | | | | tastings are done right in the wine maker's home! |
| Cascade Mountains which block a lot of the | | | | Try to find that in California amongst the |
| moisture from the west. The nice weather and | | | | thousands of other tourists. |
| easy access to water makes this region an ideal | | | | The wineries in Washington make wine tours a bit |
| one for growing wine grape varieties. | | | | more difficult than in California. The Napa Valley in |
| Within the nine recognized viticultural areas, a | | | | California is a very small region so wineries are |
| great assortment of grape varietals can be | | | | quite close together. There is a much larger |
| grown. Red wine grapes grown in Washington | | | | portion of Washington with wineries so to tour |
| include Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, | | | | multiple wineries will often involve some traveling |
| Cabernet Franc and Merlot varietels. White wine | | | | around. |
| grapes that do particularly well in the region include | | | | The advantages of giving a gift of a Washington |
| Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Semillon and | | | | wine tour is that it is much less expensive than a |
| Chardonnay. Each region has different | | | | California tour. This is partially due to the relative |
| micro-climates that are suited to specific varietals. | | | | newness of the Washington wine industry and |
| Whether for yourself or as a gift, a wine tour in | | | | partially because there are less tourists there. |
| Washington would be a wonderful way to | | | | Also, it is much more unlikely to get the up close |
| experience the premium quality wines of this | | | | and personal feeling in California as there are so |
| region. Most wineries are small and family-owned | | | | many people taking tours. While the Washington |
| so you will usually get a much more personal and | | | | wine tours are still unknown, you can get a |
| intimate look at the wine making process. The | | | | bargain on wine tours for gifts. |