Pinot Noir, AVA & Artificial Intelligence!

Happy 15th Birthday to the Lake Chelan AVA. Lets dive into Pinot Noir’s fit in Washington State, the importance of AVA designation and more!

by Chad Steiner

With two vintages of Lake Chelan AVA Pinot Noir under our belts and an AVA celebration taking place – I thought it would be appropriate to revisit some prior content. Is the talk about American Viticultural Areas (AVA’s) even worth your time to listen to? Well, if you like wine and want to learn more or you like farming and want to know how its impacted by location – then read on. Wine has and always will be about place. Countries governments regulate what gets put on the label – including the place the grapes were grown. Whether you want to drink a wine from one location, or another is up to you. Whether or not wine producers in that location do a good job describing why their wines are unique and desirable – that’s up to them. I’m really excited by the summary I’ve put together for you to read.  How does it have anything to do with Artificial Intelligence (A.I.)? Well, because my prior blog posts (AVA, So What! , Does AVA Matter? and Digging Into Lake Chelan Pinot Noir in Washington State) were so long – I thought it would be nice to bring them all together. And I did so with the help of A.I.. I’ve edited what was assembled a bit, but in general I can’t wait for you to see what it put together. And – I really hope this is a nice complement to our AVA Celebration. Happy 15^th Birthday Lake Chelan AVA.

1. The Unique Qualities of the Lake Chelan AVA:

Lake Chelan AVA’s distinctiveness lies in its soil and climate. The soil, formed by Glacier Peak’s volcanic activity, consists of silt, pumice, quartz, and mica, all resting on granite, unlike the basalt-based soils of most other Washington AVAs. This unique soil composition, combined with the lake’s moderating effect on temperature, allows grapes to ripen slowly, developing rich flavors while maintaining acidity. These conditions are particularly favorable for growing Pinot Noir, resulting in wines with notable minerality and complexity.

Caption: photo from the Washington Wine Commission website. They do a fantastic job showcasing Washington State’s unique growing areas.

2. Importance of AVA Designation:

The Lake Chelan AVA designation emphasizes the significance of geographic origin in wine production. The AVA’s unique terroir influences the flavor profile of the wines, making them distinct from those produced in other regions. The cooler temperatures in September and October, moderated by the lake and lattitude, allow for extended grape hang time, enhancing flavor development and acidity. Pristine irrigation water from Lake Chelan further contributes to the quality of the grapes, distinguishing Lake Chelan AVA wines in the marketplace.

3. Journey and Philosophy Behind Pinot Noir Production:

Chad’s journey with Pinot Noir began with a preference for bold wines like Cabernet, but over time, Jeana helped him appreciate the elegance and complexity of Pinot Noir. Inspired by their experiences in California and advice from experts, Chad and Jeana planted their vineyard in the Lake Chelan Valley, convinced of its potential for producing exceptional Pinot Noir. The vineyard, benefiting from the lake effect and unique soil, has produced award-winning wines (the Estate Chardonnay is beautiful), reflecting their commitment to quality and the distinctive terroir of the region.

4. Achievements and Future Plans:

Chelan Valley Farms has seen significant success with their Lagriōth Winery Pinot Noir, receiving multiple awards and accolades. Their 2021 Pinot Noir from Clos Chevalle Vineyard earned several gold medals, showcasing the potential of Lake Chelan AVA wines. Moving forward, they have been having a blast with their 2022 Estate Pinot Noir, made from three different clones (115, 777 & Pommard) planted in their vineyard. This diversity in clones promises to add complexity and depth to their wines, further establishing Chelan Valley Farms as a notable producer of Pinot Noir in Washington State.

5. The Broader Impact of Place on Wine:

The concept of terroir is central to understanding the distinctiveness of Lake Chelan AVA wines. Just as single-origin coffee or region-specific produce like Hatch New Mexico chiles have unique flavors, the specific conditions of Lake Chelan AVA impart a unique character to its wines. This focus on place highlights the importance of AVA designations in helping consumers appreciate the geographic influences on wine, reinforcing the special qualities of wines produced in this region.

I hope this has been a helpful summary of the super long articles I wrote earlier this year. Join me as we celebrate this beautiful AVA – Lake Chelan, and pay tribute to the rigor put into defining each geography individually so we can identify wines we love. After all, wine is all about “place”. Cheers everyone!!!