Lewis-Clark Valley AVA

Lewis-Clark Valley AVA is one of Idaho's three American Viticultural Areas. 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 (307,000 acres) 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.[2] About 72%, 219,838 acres (343.497 sq mi), 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 (610 m). 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]

Lewis-Clark Valley AVA
Wine region
TypeAmerican Viticultural Area
Year established2016[1]
Years of wine industry151[2]
CountryUnited States
Part ofIdaho, Washington
Other regions in Idaho, WashingtonColumbia Valley AVA, Snake River Valley AVA, Eagle Foothills AVA
Growing season7.5 months average
Precipitation (annual average)11–22 inches (280–560 mm)[3]
Soil conditionsloess, wind-deposited, nutrient-rich silt, mollisols [3]
Total area479 square miles (306,560 acres)[3]
Size of planted vineyards100 acres (40 ha)[3]
No. of vineyards16[4]
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[5]
No. of wineries9[3]

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.[2]

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.[2]

References
  1. "§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.
  2. "Region". Lewis Clark Valley Wine Alliance. 2016.
  3. "Lewis‐Clark Valley Named Newest American Viticultural Area". Lewis Clark Valley Wine Alliance. Idaho. 2016. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  4. "Idaho Wineries, Wines and Wine Country". Wines Northwest. 2016. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
  5. "Vineyards – Varietals Grown". Lewis Clark Valley Wine Alliance. 2016.
  6. "Establishment of the Lewis-Clark Valley Viticultural Area and Realignment of the Columbia Valley Viticultural Area" (27 CFR 9 81 FR 23156 Final rule). Federal Register. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau. April 20, 2016. pp. 23156–23162. Retrieved May 25, 2020.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.

46.6776°N 115.5620°W / 46.6776; -115.5620

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