White Riesling , Chardonnay , and Pinot Gris are dominant plantings along with red varieties used for Rosé style wines Red Wine Varieties are planted in close proximity to the Columbia River along the benches and exposed basalt cliffs formed by the " cataract effects " of the Missoula floods . This area lays at a lower elevation and is considerably warmer lending itself to red wine grape production including Syrah , Merlot and others
Missoula floods
Missoula Floods
Ancient Lakes of the Columbia Valley AVA