Located in south central Washington state and only a few hours from Seattle or Portland, Yakima Valley is a vibrant wine growing region and home to over 100 wineries. About one-third of the state’s wine grapes are grown in the Yakima Valley AVA. The wine grapes grown here benefit from an exceptional growing environment or “terroir,” which consists of soil composition and climate, giving the wines produced their unique characteristics. With soils ranging from volcanic to silt loam and gravel, and summer days’ diurnal shift from warm daytime temperatures to help ripen the grapes and develop their flavor and tannins, to cool evenings to help intensify their aromas and acidity.

Read more in Tripatini contributor Linda Stewart´s post Savoring Cabernet Franc from Dineen Vineyards in Washington State´s Yakima Valley.