Heads up, wine enthusiasts: there’s a new appellation in Washington’s wine country and there’s already some well-established wineries within it. 

Columbia Hills was recently designated as the state’s 22nd appellation – American Viticultural Area, or AVA – by federal authorities, according to a release from the Washington Wine Commission.  

Fewer than 30,000 acres lie within its boundaries, which cover a thin, 35-mile strip of land between the Columbia River and sheer terraces of the adjacent ridgeline. It stretches between Dallesport just north of The Dalles east nearly to Roosevelt across the river from Arlington, Oregon. 

The region is defined by its warmth-providing south-facing slopes, temperature-moderating proximity to the river, low elevation and shallow soils. 

The appellation is home to four wineries: Maryhill Winery, Cascade Cliffs, Waving Tree Winery and Jacob Willams Winery, according to Northwest Wine Report.  

The petition for the new appellation was submitted on behalf of Cascade Cliffs’ owner, Robert “Bob” Lorkowski, with geologist Kevin Pogue of VinTerra Consulting, serving as author.