Washington AVA’s
Washington State is recognized as the second largest wine producer in the United States, showcasing a diverse array of high-quality wines. Top Source is crafted in two of Washington’s notable American Viticultural Areas (AVAs): the Columbia Valley and the Walla Walla Valley, respectively. Read on to learn more about the landscapes that nurture these exceptional wines!
Columbia Valley
The Southern part of the Columbia Valley is an ideal place for Syrah and Grenache to grow as the harsh, desert-like climate, (Washington State has the most northern “desert” in the United States) stresses the vines, resulting in incredible fruit quality. Due to the Columbia Valley’s northern, geographic latitude, we also benefit from high, daily, temperature differences (diurnal flux), especially in the summer which allows the vines to better conserve natural acidity thus achieving natural balance between the alcohol levels, acidity, and amazing aromatic complexity.
Walla Walla Valley
Walla Walla Valley is one of the United State’s few AVA’s that is located on basalt-based, volcanic soils. Volcanic soils make up 3% of the world’s soils and an even smaller percentage of the world’s wines (Read: Volcanic wines: Salt, Grit, Power by John Szabo). Wines coming from volcanic soils are unique because they have ideal drainage and are nutrient poor thus creating growing conditions that force the vines to produce the best quality fruit.
The Walla Walla Valley is composed of 4 unique volcanic soil composites of which this blend of only Syrah represents several.
