Washington and Oregon Wines As newcomers to vinegrowing and winemaking, Washington and Oregon both are smaller in production than Mendocino County in California's North Coast, far smaller than the Napa Valley. Washington's vines grow in the hot summers of a near-desert east of two high mountain ranges, where they must be irrigated to survive. Oregon's vines grow in cool, rainy country nearer the Pacific Ocean, sheltered from its weathers only by high hills to the west. The differences in climate are readily seen in differing dominant varieties. Washington's premier red is Merlot, followed closely by Cabernet Sauvignon, while Oregon is dominated by Pinot Noir. Both states have Chardonnay as their leading white, but the challengers are Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc in Washington, Pinot Gris in Oregon. The vintage of 1991 was small in Washington following a devastating freeze in the winter of 1990-91. It harvested only 33 per cent of a normal crop. Red wine grapes were especially hard hit. In compensation, the wines are concentrated and rich. Oregon, in contrast, had a large yield by its standards. The vintage was a good one.Both states enjoyed textbook growing seasons in 1992, and harvested good crops. Washington's vines rebounded remarkably from the damage caused in 1990-91. Comparatively warm temperatures ripened the grapes early in both states. The vintage is counted a good one in both states. After a good start, a cool growing season delayed the harvest of 1993 to the latest dates ever. Only a warm October saved the day. Once gathered, the crop turned out to be the largest ever in both states. Quality is more than mildly promising. Washington, with table wines dominating its production, has seen both its internal and external markets grow faster than the national average through a combination of skillful production and moderate pricing. Oregon, in comparison, has focussed most of its efforts on the small internal market. With smaller wineries and more restricted yields, its average prices are substantially higher than those of its neighbour state.