The Wahluke Slope

For the past fifteen years, The Purple Habit has been working with vineyards in the Wahluke Slope appellation of Washington State.

The region is named after an Indigenous word for watering-place and lies in south-central Washington. As one of the warmest regions in the state, the Wahluke Slope is known primarily for red grape varieties, particularly Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah. Wahluke Slope wines tend to be ripe and full-bodied with pure varietal fruit flavours. Enfolded on three sides by the grand curve of the Columbia River, with roots in rich volcanic soil, the estate vineyards that supply our grapes are situated where long days of blistering sunshine coupled with freezing winters cultivate grapes of exceptional quality. 

The major distinguishing feature of the Wahluke Slope is its uniformity in aspect, soil type, and climate. The entire appellation lies on a broad, south-facing slope with a constant, gentle grade of less than 8%. This topography, along with the proximity to the Columbia River, helps minimize the risk of frost, which can affect other areas of the state. 

The entire 81,000-acre appellation sits on a large alluvial fan, making the soils notably uniform over a large area. The topsoil is deep, wind-blown sand with a depth, on average, of more than 5 feet. This provides both ample drainage for vinifera grapes and greater uniformity in plant vigor and ripening, more than is seen in other areas of Washington. Elevations vary between 425 feet by the Columbia River to 1,480 feet above sea level, though most vineyards lie below 1,000 feet. Precipitation averages less than 6 inches (150mm) annually, and irrigation is required to grow vinifera grapes. Winds in the area lead to smaller leaf size and smaller grape clusters compared to other regions, concentrating the resulting wines. Total cumulative degree days ( day > 10 degrees C) are about 1790.