Lewis-Clark Valley AVA
| Wine region | |
| Type | American Viticultural Area |
|---|---|
| Year established | 2016[1] |
| Country | United States |
| Part of | Idaho, Washington |
| Other regions in Idaho, Washington | Columbia Valley AVA, Snake River Valley AVA, Eagle Foothills AVA |
| Growing season | 7.5 months average |
| Precipitation (annual average) | 11-22 inches annually[2] |
| Soil conditions | loess, wind-deposited, nutrient-rich silt, mollisols [2] |
| Total area | 479 square miles (306,560 acres)[2] |
| Size of planted vineyards | 100 acres (40 ha)[2] |
| No. of vineyards | 16[3] |
| Varietals produced | Blaufränkisch(Lemberger), Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Grenache, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, Syrah, Tempranillo, Muscat, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Rkatsiteli, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon. Viognier, Zinfandel[4] |
| No. of wineries | 9[2] |
Lewis-Clark Valley AVA is the third northern Idaho American Viticultural Area. It is located in northern part of the state and a contiguous area of southeastern Washington adjacent to the Columbia Valley AVA. The region encompasses 479 square miles with nearly 100 acres (40 ha) of grapes currently planted throughout the Lewis-Clark Valley between the Clearwater and mid-Snake Rivers and their tributaries.[5] About 72%, 219,838 acres (88,965 ha), is located in Idaho with the rest in Washington. The topography consists primarily of deep, V-notched canyons, low plateaus, and bench lands formed by the two rivers. Vineyard elevations are approximately below 2,000 feet. There were 3 wineries within the AVA, as well as 16 commercially-producing vineyards when officially established by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) in May 2016.[6]
History[]
Vinifera growing in the Northwest originated in the Lewis-Clark Valley AVA, dating back to 1872. Varietals such as Petit Syrah, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc were cultivated. By 1908, 40 varieties of grapes were being cultivated. Two years later, the town of Lewiston voted a ban on alcoholic beverages and the industry crashed. Most of the wine was turned into vinegar and winemaking virtually disappeared until the late 1990s.[5]
Industry Success[]
Lewis-Clark Valley winemakers are using locally grown grapes to create wines that compete on the national market. After its AVA recognition, the Lewis-Clark Valley, with steep river canyons and plateaus, has the state's lowest elevation vineyards that successfully ripen a wide variety of wine grapes with some vinifera originating from 1872.[5]
References[]
- ^ "§9.256 Lewis-Clark Valley" (Title 27: Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; Part 9 — American Viticultural Areas; Subpart C — Approved American Viticultural Areas). Code of Federal Regulations. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e "Lewis‐Clark Valley Named Newest American Viticultural Area". Lewis Clark Valley Wine Alliance. Idaho. 2016. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
- ^ "Idaho Wineries, Wines and Wine Country". Wines Northwest. 2016. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
- ^ "Vineyards – Varietals Grown". Lewis Clark Valley Wine Alliance. 2016.
- ^ a b c "Region". Lewis Clark Valley Wine Alliance. 2016.
- ^ "Establishment of the Lewis-Clark Valley Viticultural Area and Realignment of the Columbia Valley Viticultural Area" (27 CFR 9 81 FR 23156). Federal Register. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau. April 20, 2016. pp. 23156–23162. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
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Coordinates: 46°40′39″N 115°33′43″W / 46.6776°N 115.5620°W
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