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Rattlesnake Hills is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) located in Yakima County, Washington surrounding the Rattlesnake Hills. The appellation is the state's 9th AVA established on March 20, 2006 by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau {TTB),
TTB AVA Map
American Viticultural Areas of Washington (state) Geography of Yakima County, Washington 2006 establishments in Washington (state)
Treasury
A treasury is either
*A government department related to finance and taxation, a finance ministry; in a business context, corporate treasury.
*A place or location where treasure, such as currency or precious items are kept. These can be ...
after reviewing the petition submitted by Mr. Gail Puryear, Bonair Winery owner, along with 10 other vineyard and winery owners in the region proposing the "Rattlesnake Hills" viticultural area. The Rattlesnake Hills AVA boundaries are within the Yakima Valley AVA as both are encompassed by the vast Columbia Valley AVA. Rattlesnake Hills borders the northern boundary of Yakima Valley including land between the north bank of the Sunnyside Canal and the entire southern boundary slopes are between Outlook and the Wapato Dam. The western boundary meanders on an east-west chain of hills north of I-82 passing through the cities of Parker, Donald
Donald is a Scottish masculine given name. It is derived from the Gaelic name ''Dòmhnall''.. This comes from the Proto-Celtic *''Dumno-ualos'' ("world-ruler" or "world-wielder"). The final -''d'' in ''Donald'' is partly derived from a misinter ...
, Buena and Zillah while just east of the Yakima River. Rattlesnake Hills rises to the highest point in the Yakima Valley with elevations ranging from .
Vineyards
Vineyards in Rattlesnake Hills AVA include the Morrison Vineyard, planted in 1968 toRiesling
Riesling ( , ) is a white grape variety that originated in the Rhine region. Riesling is an aromatic grape variety displaying flowery, almost perfumed, aromas as well as high acidity. It is used to make dry, semi-sweet, sweet, and sparkling ...
and Cabernet Sauvignon for Chateau Ste. Michelle. It is the oldest vineyard in the AVA. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the Hyatt Vineyard, Whisky Canyon, Outlook and the Portteus Vineyard were established in Rattlesnake Hills.
Opposition to AVA Proposal
When an AVA designation for the Rattlesnake Hills was proposed it created controversy among some Washington winemakers and vineyard growers. One of its most notable opponents was grower Dick Boushey of Boushey Vineyards which resides outside of the AVA boundaries. Boushey argued that the area did not have distinctive ''terroir
(; ; from ''terre'', ) is a French language, French term used to describe the environmental factors that affect a crop's phenotype, including unique environment contexts, farming practices and a crop's specific growth habitat. Collectively, th ...
'' that would merit an AVA stating ''"I know of no regional style, specific variety or type of wine that is unique to this proposed area. The granting of this proposal would confuse consumers and undermine the existing Yakima Valley Appellation."'' However, TTB noted the opposition lacked evidence and found the evidence submitted by the petitioner supported the establishment of the proposed viticultural area.
See also
* Washington wineReferences
External links
TTB AVA Map
American Viticultural Areas of Washington (state) Geography of Yakima County, Washington 2006 establishments in Washington (state)