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The history of winemaking in Washington dates back to the mid-19th century, when German and Italian immigrants first planted their first vines in the Puget Sound region and the Walla Walla Valley.

Today, the state has more than 43,000 acres under vine with exports going to over 40 countries around the world from over 740 wineries situated throughout the state.

A good number of them are located east of the Cascades in four major Washington wine areas - Walla Walla, Yakima Valley as well as Spokane and the Columbia River Gorge regions.

photo credit: Tourism Walla Walla

On the other side of the Cascades and rolling down to the Pacific are wineries clustered around the Olympic Peninsula, Puget Sound islands, and near Olympia, Seattle, and more in Woodinville.

Each of these areas' soils and climate conditions produce wines in varying tastes and intensities, so a tour through the entire state is an oenophile's delight.

Around the Web, learn more about trips, wine trails, tastings and tours, plus more about the history of winemaking in the State of Washington...

More about Washington State wineries around the Web:

Washington Wineries, Wines and Wine Regions - The concise guide to the state's wine industry with lists of interesting factoids, descriptions and locations of regions and appellations, a history of winemaking within the state, touring maps, grape varieties grown within Washington, and lots more.

Washington Wine Commission - With a hearty welcome to Washington wine country including news and events, an interactive trip planner, history and quick facts, press releases and downloadable images, and a healthy portion of related resources.

Northwest Wine - Great resource for finding new releases, highest rated and recommended wines, together with a list of Washington state wineries and maps, and tool around the rest of the site for more on Oregon, British Columbia and Idaho wineries.