To celebrate Lake Chelan’s 15-year anniversary of its official designation as an American Viticulture Area (AVA), the Lake Chelan Wine Valley, The Lake Chelan Chamber and members of the Lake Chelan community will join forces to host “Vintage Lake Chelan” on May 30, 2024.
At Vintage Lake Chelan, guests will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in all that the appellation has to offer, conversing with dedicated winemakers of the valley and tasting wines made in Washington’s most exciting growing region. An esteemed panel of resident industry professionals will share their vision for the Lake Chelan Valley and the AVA.
“We are excited to pay homage to some of our AVA pioneers, learn from others of their efforts to promote and expand the AVA and, in general, celebrate with our Wine Valley winemakers and the many people that make the wine experience in our valley so unique and memorable,” says Bob Hargadon, board chair of the Lake Chelan Wine Alliance.
The panel will consist of pioneering members of the Lake Chelan winemaking community, including founder and vintners of iconic area labels. A half dozen producers will round out the list, painting a vivid portrait of the central Washington appellation’s current flourishing state and exciting future.
Lake Chelan became the 11th AVA in Washington state on May 30, 2009. This designation is an appellation of origin granted by the United States government, and signifies an area with unique climate, soil, and physical features that distinguish it from surrounding areas. The epitome of terroir in viticulture, the geographical acknowledgement is modeled after what European wine regions have done for years and spotlights how a one-of-a-kind place can make equally distinctive wines.
The region is truly singular. Due to the ice age glaciers that formed Lake Chelan, the soil surrounding it has distinctive properties such as coarse, sandy sediment with notable amounts of quartz and mica. It is the only AVA in Washington that does not have basalt bedrock. This translates to grapes with discernible textures, minerals, and nutrients.
Beyond its picturesque nature, the Lake Chelan AVA is also distinguished by a significant “lake effect” that creates mild and favorable temperatures for surrounding areas, resulting in a longer growing season and a reduced risk of frost. That’s music to the ears of winemakers, who count on the extended hang time and favorable weather for mature and balanced grape clusters. The lake itself is one of the deepest in the nation at 1,486 feet and the Chelan name is borrowed from a Native American word, aptly translating to “deep water.” The lake effect occurs in some of the most famous wine regions on the planet, including the Finger Lakes, Franciacorta, the Okanagan and more.
The Lake Chelan AVA encompasses the southernmost and easternmost areas of the lake and the surrounding land that are at or below 2,000 feet in elevation. It begins with the town of Chelan and continues up lake for 12 miles. Unlike other AVAs in Washington to the east of the Cascades, Lake Chelan is set above the Missoula Flood line and set up with a unique mix of soils.
Vintage Lake Chelan is open to the general public, and will take place at Vin Du Lac Winery located at 105 WA-150, Chelan, WA 98816. Pricing for Vintage Chelan is $45 (excluding taxes) and can be purchased online at vintagechelan.com.
Vintage Lake Chelan
Thursday, May 30
Vin Du Lac Winery
5-5:30 p.m. Welcome Reception
5:30-6:15 p.m. “The Pioneers the Lake Chelan AVA”
Panelists include:
- Tom Pettigrew of Amos Rome Vineyards
- Judy Phelps of Hard Row to Hoe Vineyards
- Steve Kludt of Lake Chelan Winery
- Chad Steiner of Chelan Valley Farms/Lagrioth Winery
- Bob Jankelson of Tsillan Cellars
- Larry Lehmbecker of Vin du Lac Winery
6:15-6:30 p.m. “A Tribute to the Lives and Legacies of the Lake Chelan Valley”
6:30-8 p.m. Winemakers roam and pour
