[1] Lake Chelan encompasses 24,040 acres (38 sq mi) in the southern and eastern portions of the valley and the surrounding Cascade foothills suitable for viticulture.

The petition to TTB was submitted by Alan J. Busacca, PhD, a geologist licensed in Washington State and a nationally certified professional soil scientist with Vinitas Vineyard Consultants, on behalf of the Lake Chelan Wine Growers Association to establish a registered viticultural area named "Lake Chelan.

[1][2] Between 2002 and 2004, the original group of six Chelan wineries started the process of seeking federal recognition as an American Viticultural area.

[2][4] The TTB eventually lifted that freeze and approved the petition for the Lake Chelan AVA in April 2009 with the designation slated to take effect in late May 2008.

This has an effect of extending the "hang time" of the fruit on the vine which allows sugars and acids in the grape to stay in balance as phenols develop that can add complexity to the wine.