Yakima Valley is the granddaddy of all Washington State American Viticultural Areas (AVA). Established back in 1983 as Washington’s first appellation, this area boasts over one third of all of Washington’s vineyards. Chardonnay is the most popular grape in this region with Syrah on the rise. Yakima Valley is home to mostly small family producers and can be counted on for casual tasting rooms and beautiful scenery.