White Bluffs AVA
| Wine region | |
| Type | American Viticultural Area |
|---|---|
| Year established | 2021 |
| Years of wine industry | 54 |
| Country | United States |
| Part of | Washington, Columbia Valley AVA |
| Other regions in Washington, Columbia Valley AVA | Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley AVA, Beverly, Washington AVA, Horse Heaven Hills AVA, Naches Heights AVA. Lake Chelan AVA, The Burn of Columbia Valley AVA, Rocky Reach AVA, Royal Slope AVA, Walla Walla Valley AVA, Wahluke Slope, Yakima Valley AVA |
| Growing season | 229-246 days |
| Climate region | Region II-III |
| Heat units | 237.5 GDD units |
| Precipitation (annual average) | 6 in (152 mm) |
| Soil conditions | Surface loess, sand, and flood-deposited silt |
| Total area | 93,738 acres (146 sq mi) |
| Size of planted vineyards | 1,127 acres (456 ha) |
| No. of vineyards | 9 |
| Grapes produced | Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah |
| No. of wineries | 1 |
White Bluffs is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) located about 10 miles (16 km) north of Tri-Cities on the plateaus overlooking the Columbia River in Franklin County, Washington. The area lies entirely within the vast Columbia Valley appellation. White Bluffs was established as the nation's 254th, the state's 19th and the county's second AVA on June 17, 2021 by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), Treasury after reviewing the petition submitted by Whitman College professor and geologist, Dr. Kevin Pogue, on behalf of local winemakers and vineyard owners, proposing the viticultural area named "White Bluffs."
The 93,738-acre (146 sq mi) appellation, at the outset, had nine commercial vineyards cultivating approximately 1,127 acres (456 ha) and a single winery. The distinguishing features of White Bluffs are its topography, geology, soils, and climate. The plant hardiness zone are 7a to 7b.