Rattlesnake Hills AVA
On Monday March 20, 2006, the United States Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) gave the Rattlesnake Hills its official status as an American Viticultural Area (AVA). The Rattlesnake Hills AVA is the newest AVA for Washington and is the fourth of several proposed AVA’s to be approved within the last two years. The last approved AVA approved was the Wahluke Slope on Jan 6, 2006 and just prior to that the Horseheaven Hills on August 1, 2005. The Rattlesnake Hills are located within the Yakima Valley, which is the oldest Northwest AVA at 23 years old. The AVA’s distinguishing characters are its comparatively warmer climate, high elevation, and silt loam soils. The Rattlesnake Hills have east-west ridge tops with canyons, terraces, and ridges facing southward off the main ridge toward the Yakima River. Most vineyards are located at higher elevations primarily on ridges and terraces and in areas where cool air does not pool to avoid late spring and early fall frost and winter damage.
Rattlesnake Hill Facts:
Officially given status on Mar. 20 2006 by TTB
Total Acreage: 68,500 Acres
Bearing Acres: 1,500
Varieties Planted: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Chardonnay, Riesling, Malbec
29 Vineyards
17 Wineries
Elevation: Minimum is 850 feet and the highest vineyard is Elephant Mountain (1600 ft)
Fine Neutral/Alkaline Soil (mixture of different silt loam soils)
Average 3000 Annual Heat Units per growing season (Outlook PAWS)
Rainfall: 6-10 inches per year (primarily during dormant season)
Supplemental irrigation is necessary and allows viticulturists better control of vineyard water status.
Named after the somewhat shy and diminutive (30”) Northern Pacific Rattlesnake Crotalis Viridis Oreganus.