Oregon wine

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Oregon
Wine region
Official name State of Oregon
Type U.S. State Appellation [1]
Years of wine industry177 [2] [3]
CountryUnited States
Other regions in vicinity Idaho, Washington
Sub-regions Applegate Valley AVA, Chehalem Mountains AVA, Columbia Gorge AVA, Columbia Valley AVA, Dundee Hills AVA, Elkton Oregon AVA, Eola-Amity Hills AVA, Laurelwood District AVA, Lower Long Tom AVA, McMinnville AVA, Mount Pisgah, Polk County, Oregon AVA, Red Hill Douglas County, Oregon AVA, Ribbon Ridge AVA, The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater AVA, Rogue Valley AVA, Snake River Valley AVA, Southern Oregon AVA, Tualatin Hills AVA, Umpqua Valley AVA, Van Duzer Corridor AVA, Walla Walla Valley AVA, Willamette Valley AVA, Yamhill-Carlton District AVA
Climate region Region I-III (Maritime/continental/Mediterranean)
Total area98,466 square miles (255,026 km2)
Size of planted vineyardsOver 30,435 acres (12,317 ha) (2016) [4]
No. of vineyards1056 (2016) [4]
Grapes produced Abouriou, Albariño, Aligoté, Arneis, Auxerrois Blanc, Baco noir, Barbera, Black Muscat, Blaufränkisch, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Caprettone, Carménère, Cayuga, Chardonnay, Chasselas, Chenin blanc, Coda di Volpe, Counoise, Dolcetto, Early Muscat, Ehrenfelser, Fiano, Frontenac, Gamay noir, Gewurztraminer, Gouais blanc, Graciano, Grenache, Grenache blanc, Gruner Veltliner, Huxelrebe, Kerner, La Crosse, La Crescent, Lagrein, Leon Millot, Malbec, Marechal Foch, Malvasia, Marquette, Marsanne, Melon, Merlot, Mondeuse noire, Montepulciano, Mourvèdre, Muller Thurgau, Muscat Canelli, Muscat Ottonel, Nebbiolo, Niagara, Petit Verdot, Pinot blanc, Pinot gris, Pinot Meunier, Pinot noir, Pinotage, Riesling, Petit Manseng, Petite Sirah, Roussanne, Sangiovese, Sauvignon blanc, Scheurebe, Sémillon, Seyval_blanc, St. Croix, St. Laurent, Sylvaner, Syrah, Tannat, Tempranillo, Teroldego, Tinta Amarela, Tinta Cao, Tocai Friulano, Touriga Nacional, Traminette, Trousseau, Verdejo, Vermentino, Vignoles, Viognier, Zinfandel [1]
Varietals produced82
No. of wineries908 (2019) [4]

The state of Oregon in the United States has established an international reputation for its production of wine, ranking fourth in the country behind California, Washington, and New York. Oregon has several different growing regions within the state's borders that are well-suited to the cultivation of grapes; additional regions straddle the border between Oregon and the states of Washington and Idaho. Wine making dates back to pioneer times in the 1840s, with commercial production beginning in the 1960s.

Contents

American Viticultural Areas entirely within the state are the Willamette Valley AVA (with 10 nested AVAs) and the Southern Oregon AVA with (5 nested AVAs). Parts of the Columbia Gorge, Walla Walla Valley, and Snake River Valley AVAs lie within Oregon. Pinot noir and Pinot Gris are the top two grapes grown, with over 59,452 short tons (53,934 t) harvested in 2016. [4] Oregon winemakers sold just under 3.4 million cases in 2016. [4]

With 908 wineries [4] in Oregon, a tourism industry has developed around wine tasting. Much of the tourism focuses on the wineries and tasting rooms in and around the Yamhill Valley southwest of Portland. It is estimated that enotourism contributed USD $207.5 million to the state economy in 2013 [5] excluding sales at wineries and tasting rooms.

History

David Lett of Eyrie Vineyards. David Lett.JPG
David Lett of Eyrie Vineyards.

Wine has been produced in Oregon since the Oregon Territory was settled in the 1840s; however, viticulture became a significant industry in the state since the 1960s innovations. Grapes were first planted in the Oregon Territory in 1847 when Oregon Trail pioneer Henderson Luelling and his family transport several dozen varities of fruit plantings from Iowa to the Oregon Territory, including Oregon’s first grape plantings. [3] [6] [7] In 1852, Valley View, the first recorded winery, was established by Peter Britt in Jacksonville. [8] Throughout the 19th century, there was experimentation with various varietals by immigrants to the state. In 1904, an Oregon winemaker won a prize at the St. Louis World's Fair. Wine production stopped in the United States during Prohibition. As in other states, the Oregon wine industry lay dormant for thirty years after Prohibition was repealed. [9] [10]

The Oregon wine industry started to rebuild in the 1960s, when California winemakers opened several vineyards in the state. [10] By 1970, there were five commercial wineries, with 35 recorded acres (14 ha). [11]

This included the planting of Pinot noir grapes in the Willamette Valley, a region long thought too cold to be suitable for viticulture. In the 1970s, more out-of-state winemakers migrated to the state and started to organize as an industry. The state's land-use laws had prevented rural hillsides from being turned into housing tracts, preserving a significant amount of land suitable for vineyards. In 1979, The Eyrie Vineyards entered a 1975 Pinot noir in the Wine Olympics; the wine was rated among the top Pinots in the world, thus gaining the region its first international recognition. [10]

The accolades continued into the 1980s, and the Oregon wine industry continued to add both wineries and vineyards. The state industry continued to market itself, establishing the first of several AVAs (American Viticulture Areas) in the state. The state also grew strong ties with the Burgundy region of France, as Oregon's governor Neil Goldschmidt paid an official visit to Burgundy and a leading French winemaking family bought land in Dundee. [9] [10]

In the early 1990s, the wine industry was threatened by a Phylloxera infestation in the state, but winemakers quickly turned to the use of resistant rootstocks to prevent any serious damage. The state legislature enacted several new laws designed to promote winemaking and wine distribution. The state found a newfound focus on "green" winemaking, leading the global wine industry into more environmentally friendly practices. In 2005, there were 314 wineries and 519 vineyards in operation in Oregon. [9] [10] By 2014, the a number of wineries in the state has increased to 676, the 3rd most behind California and Washington. Oregon remains the 4th largest wine producer in the country in cases produced behind New York. [12]

Varieties of wine

Like other wines produced in the United States, Oregon wines are marketed as varietals. Oregon law requires that wines produced in the state must be identified by the grape variety from which it was made, and for most varietals, it must contain at least 90% of that variety. The exceptions to the 90% law are the following varietals: Red and White Bordeaux varietals, Red and White Rhône varietals, Sangiovese, Tempranillo, Zinfandel and Tannat. For these wines, they follow the Federal guidelines of 75%. [13] Oregon law has long forbidden the use of place names, [14] except as appellations of origin. Oregon is most famous for its Pinot noir, which is produced throughout the state. Pinot noirs from the Willamette Valley have received much critical acclaim from wine connoisseurs and critics, and Oregon is regarded as one of the premier Pinot-producing regions in the world. [15]

In 2016 the top five varieties produced in Oregon were: [4]

Other varieties with significant production by harvested acres in 2016 [16] are Syrah, Merlot, Tempranillo, Pinot blanc, Gewürztraminer, Viognier, Cabernet franc, Müller-Thurgau, Sauvignon blanc, and Zinfandel, V. vinifera based wines produced in smaller quantities include Arneis, Baco noir, Black Muscat, Chenin blanc, Dolcetto, Gamay noir, Grenache, Marechal Foch, Malbec, Muscat, Nebbiolo, Petite Syrah, Sangiovese, and Sémillon. The state also produces fruit wine, sparkling wine, late harvest wine, ice wine, and dessert wine. [17]

Facts and figures

Oregon wine statistics 1995–2016 [18] [16] [4]
YearPlanted

Vineyard Area

# Wineries
crushing
grapes		Grapes crushed,
tons (US)		Sales, cases
19957,100 acres (2,873 ha)9214,280 short tons (12,955 t)734,437
19967,500 acres (3,035 ha)9415,191 short tons (13,781 t)741,953
19977,800 acres (3,157 ha)9418,669 short tons (16,936 t)827,312
19989,000 acres (3,600 ha)10313,265 short tons (12,034 t)894,386
19999,800 acres (3,966 ha)10216,523 short tons (14,989 t)777,890
200010,500 acres (4,249 ha)12217,663 short tons (16,024 t)991,770
200111,100 acres (4,492 ha)13122,163 short tons (20,106 t)1,082,058
200212,100 acres (4,897 ha)15020,905 short tons (18,965 t)1,073,177
200313,400 acres (5,423 ha)17021,860 short tons (19,831 t)1,199,086
200413,700 acres (5,544 ha)19318,620 short tons (16,892 t)1,286,128
200514,100 acres (5,706 ha)21523,450 short tons (21,273 t)1,591,330
200615,600 acres (6,300 ha)23633,300 short tons (30,200 t)1,628,608
200717,400 acres (7,000 ha)25437,000 short tons (34,000 t)1,711,532
200819,300 acres (7,800 ha)27434,700 short tons (31,500 t)1,748,282
200919,400 acres (7,900 ha)27540,200 short tons (36,500 t)1,660,202
201020,500 acres (8,300 ha)31529,800 short tons (27,000 t)1,930,763
201120,400 acres (8,300 ha)35042,033 short tons (38,132 t)2,040,698
201222,880 acres (9,260 ha)37950,186 short tons (45,528 t)2,379,165
201323,955 acres (9,694 ha)37052,588 short tons (47,707 t)2,678,807
201427,390 acres (11,080 ha)41270,112 short tons (63,605 t)2,864,963
201528,034 acres (11,345 ha)71,849 short tons (65,180 t)3,093,661
201630,435 acres (12,317 ha)42467,918 short tons (61,614 t)3,390,958

As of the 2015 wine growing season, the state of Oregon has 702 wineries and 1052 vineyards growing Vitis vinifera , composing a total of 28,034 acres (11,345 ha) of which 24,742 acres (10,013 ha) were harvested. Out of all US wine growing regions, Oregon ranks third in number of wineries and fourth in production. Nearly 3 million cases of Oregon wine were sold in 2015. The retail value of these cases was $470,650,919 a 9% increase over the previous vintage. [17]

The industry has had a significant economic impact on the state. The industry contributed a total of US$3.35 billion to the Oregon economy. 17,100 people participate in the wine industry with $527 million in wages. [5] In 2014 70% was sold to US markets outside Oregon and 4% was sold internationally. [19]

Oregon produces wine on a much smaller scale than the California wine industry. Oregon's leading producer, King Estate, ships only 401,400 cases per year and most produce under 35,000 cases. The state features many small wineries that produce less than 5,000 cases per year. [10] [20] In contrast, E & J Gallo, the United States' largest winery with more than 50 different brands including Washington's Columbia Winery and Covey Run holds a 22.8% share of the US market. [21] The majority of wineries in the state operate their own vineyards, although some purchase grapes on the market. Oregon contains a significant number of independent vineyards. [10]

The Oregon wine industry focuses on the higher-priced segments of the wine market. Oregon growers receive a higher average return per ton and a higher average revenue per case than do growers in other wine-producing regions in the United States. Despite producing a much smaller volume of wine, Oregon winery revenues per capita are comparable to those of New York and Washington. [5]

Major wine-producing regions

There are, loosely speaking, three main wine producing regions with a major presence in the state of Oregon, as defined by non-overlapping American Viticultural Areas. Two of them—the Willamette Valley AVA and the Southern Oregon AVA—are wholly contained within Oregon; a third, the Columbia Gorge AVA straddles the Columbia River and includes territory in both Oregon and Washington; however, this AVA is considered to be an Oregon AVA. Portions of the Walla Walla Valley AVA, an area primarily in Washington (along with the Columbia Valley AVA, which contains it), descend into Oregon in the Milton-Freewater area. The Southern Oregon AVA was recently created as the union of two Southern Oregon winegrowing regions long considered distinct, the Rogue Valley and the Umpqua Valley. Several other smaller AVAs are found within some of these larger regions. [22] The Snake River Valley AVA, which straddles Oregon's border with Idaho along the Snake River, is the first AVA to include a part of Eastern Oregon. [23]

Willamette Valley AVA

The Willamette River Valley. Wpdms shdrlfi020l willamette valley.jpg
The Willamette River Valley.

The Willamette Valley AVA is the wine growing region that encompasses the Willamette Valley. It stretches from the Columbia River in the north to just south of Eugene in the south, where the Willamette Valley ends; and from the Oregon Coast Range in the West to the Cascade Mountains in the East. At 5,200 square miles (13,500 km2), it is the largest AVA in the state, and contains most of the state's wineries; with 545 as of 2016. [4]

The climate of Willamette Valley is mild year-round, with cool, wet winters and warm, dry summers; extreme temperatures are uncommon. Most rainfall occurs outside the growing season and the valley gets relatively little snow. [24] Not all parts of the Valley are suitable for viticulture, and most wineries and vineyards are found west of the Willamette River, with the largest concentration in Yamhill County. [25]

The region is best known for its Pinot noir, and also produces large amounts of Pinot gris, Chardonnay, Pinot blanc, and Riesling. The region also produces Cabernet Sauvignon, Gewürztraminer, Müller-Thurgau, Sémillon, and Zinfandel grapes, but in far smaller quantities.

The valley contains 11 distinctive sub-appellations: Chehalem Mountains AVA, Dundee Hills AVA, Eola-Amity Hills AVA, Laurelwood District AVA, Lower Long Tom AVA, McMinnville AVA, Mount Pisgah, Polk County, Oregon AVA, Ribbon Ridge AVA, Tualatin Hills AVA, Van Duzer Corridor AVA and Yamhill-Carlton District AVA. Ribbon Ridge and Laurelwood District are located entirely within Chehalem Mountains viticultural area. Although not officially recognized, many vintners further define the Willamette Valley into northern and southern regions with the demarcation being the latitude of Salem (approximately 45° north).

Southern Oregon AVA

The Southern Oregon AVA is an AVA formed as the union of two existing AVAs—the Rogue Valley AVA and the Umpqua Valley AVA. (A small strip of the connecting territory is included in the Southern Oregon AVA to make it a contiguous region; however, this strip passes through mountains regions not suitable for vineyards.) This AVA was established in 2004 to allow the two principal regions in Southern Oregon to jointly market themselves. [26]

As the Rogue Valley and Umpqua Valley regions produce different grapes and different varietals, they are examined separately.

Umpqua River with tributaries Umpqua River basin area.jpg
Umpqua River with tributaries

Umpqua Valley AVA

The Umpqua Valley AVA contains the drainage basin of the Umpqua River, excluding mountainous regions. [27] The Umpqua Valley has a warmer climate than the Willamette Valley, but is cooler than the Rogue Valley to the south. It is the oldest post-prohibition wine region in Oregon. Grapes grown here include Tempranillo, Baco noir, Pinot noir, Pinot gris, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Riesling, Grüner Veltliner, and a host of lesser-known Vitis vinifera. The region includes two sub-AVAs, the Red Hill Douglas County, Oregon AVA, a single vineyard AVA, as well as the Elkton Oregon AVA, which was established in early 2013. [28]

Rogue Valley AVA

The Rogue Valley AVA includes the drainage basin of the Rogue River and several tributaries, including the Illinois River, the Applegate River, and Bear Creek. Most wineries in the region are found along with one of these three tributaries, rather than along the Rogue River itself. The region is 70 miles (110 km) wide by 60 miles (100 km) long (although much of the land within the AVA is not suitable for grape cultivation); there are currently 32 wineries with only 1,100 acres (445 ha) planted. The three valleys differ greatly in terroir, with the easternmost Bear Creek valley being warmest and driest, and the westernmost Illinois River valley being coolest and wettest. [29] Each river valley has a unique climate and grows different varieties of grapes. Overall, however, this region is the warmest and driest of Oregon's wine-growing regions. [30] The region has one sub-AVA, the Applegate Valley AVA. [31]

Columbia Gorge AVA

The Columbia River (shown here in Hood River County, Oregon) is at the heart of the Columbia Gorge AVA Columbia River Gorge 2.jpg
The Columbia River (shown here in Hood River County, Oregon) is at the heart of the Columbia Gorge AVA

The Columbia Gorge AVA is found in the Columbia Gorge. This region straddles the Columbia River, and thus lies in both Oregon and Washington; it is made up of Hood River and Wasco counties in Oregon, and Skamania and Klickitat counties in Washington. [32]

Valley of the North Fork of the Walla Walla River above Milton-Freewater in Oregon Valley-of-North-Fork-WallaWalla.JPG
Valley of the North Fork of the Walla Walla River above Milton-Freewater in Oregon

The region lies to the east of the summits of nearby Mount Hood and Mount Adams, situated in their rain shadows; thus, the region is significantly drier than the Willamette Valley. It also exhibits significant differences in elevation due to gorge geography, and strong winds common in the area also play a factor in the region's climate. This allows a wide variety of grapes to be grown in the Columbia Gorge. [33] The region has nearly 40 vineyards, growing a wide variety of grapes, including Syrah, Pinot noir, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot gris, Riesling, and Sangiovese. [34]

Columbia Valley AVA

Portions of northeastern Oregon (in the vicinity of Milton-Freewater) are part of the Walla Walla Valley AVA established in 1984; which in turn is nested within the Columbia Valley AVA. Both Columbia Valley and Walla Walla Valley AVAs reside primarily within Washington state. The Oregon subsection has 5 wineries [35] and 1,200 acres (486 ha) planted. Wines grown in the valley include Syrah, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as Sangiovese and a few exotic varietals including Counoise, Carmenère, Mourvèdre, Cabernet Franc, Nebbiolo and Barbera. [36] [37]

A new nested AVA, The Rocks District of Milton–Freewater, was established in 2015. [38]

Snake River Valley AVA

A new viticultural area along the Snake River was established on April 9, 2007. Principally located in Idaho, the area also encompasses two large counties in Eastern Oregon, Baker County and Malheur County. [23] The region's climate is unique among AVAs in Oregon; the average temperature is relatively cool and rainfall is low, creating a shorter growing season. Current production is led by hardy grapes such as Riesling, Gewürztraminer, and Chardonnay. The climate also lends itself extremely well to the production of ice wine. [39] However, the AVA is quite large and warmer microclimates within the area can also support different types of grapes such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. [40]

Enotourism

Pinot grapes growing in the Willamette Valley AVA. Pinot Noir Grapes in the Willamette Valley.jpg
Pinot grapes growing in the Willamette Valley AVA.

With the continuing improvement in the region's winemaking reputation, enotourism in Oregon has become a significant industry in its own right. On-site sales are becoming an increasingly important part of the business of Oregon winemaking, and other businesses that cater to wine tourists, such as lodging, fine restaurants, art galleries, have been appearing in places like Dundee, many of which have long been rural farming communities. Wine festivals and tastings are commonplace. It is estimated that enotourism contributed USD $207.5 million to the state economy in 2013 [5] excluding sales at wineries and tasting rooms. There are approximately 1.8 million visits to Oregon wineries each year, 59% by Oregonians and 41% from out-of-state visitors. [5] Major events drawing significant numbers of tourists to wine country include the International Pinot Noir Celebration which is held the last weekend of July every year since 1987 [41] and the more recent Oregon Chardonnay Celebration. [42]

Since wine themed events are a significant driver of tourism new ones are launched each year.

Facilities for wine tourists in Oregon are considered underdeveloped compared to wine regions in California, especially premium growing regions like the Napa Valley AVA. Only 5% of overnight leisure trips in the state involve visits to wineries, a much smaller figure than comparable Californian growing regions, which range from 10% to 25%. [5]

The increase in winery-related tourism, as well as the presence of a casino in the Willamette Valley, has greatly impacted the region's transportation infrastructure. Oregon Route 99W, the highway running through the heart of Willamette Valley wine country (and which is the main street in towns such as Newberg and Dundee), is plagued with frequent traffic jams. Phase I of the Newberg-Dundee Bypass, a new highway that avoids the congested city centers opened in January 2018, and a second phase (currently in the design process) will allow for further diversion of traffic off of 99W.

Wine Industry

A growing number of organizations have been established to promote Oregon Wine. In February of each year the Oregon Wine Board and Oregon Wine Grower's association team up to hold the Oregon Wine Symposium. [48]

Statewide organizations:

Regional organizations, largely aligned to AVAs:

Recognition

Recognition for quality

Oregon wines have won several major awards, and/or been praised by notable wine critics.

Other recognition

Notable wineries and vineyards

Nancy Ponzi, of Ponzi Vineyards, a pioneer in the Oregon wine industry. Nancy Ponzi.jpg
Nancy Ponzi, of Ponzi Vineyards, a pioneer in the Oregon wine industry.

This is a list of notable operating and defunct wineries and vineyards in the state of Oregon in the United States, including those in the Southern Oregon AVA and Willamette Valley AVA. Included are wineries and vineyards owned or operated by larger wineries not based in Oregon.

NameLocationEstablishedNotes
Adelsheim Vineyard Chehalem Mountains AVA 1971First winery in the Chehalem Mountains. David Adelsheim has been instrumental in the Willamette Valley wine industry.
Domaine Drouhin Dundee Hills AVA 1988Long established French estate invests in Oregon. [75]
The Eyrie Vineyards McMinnville (winery)
Dundee Hills AVA (vineyards)		1966David Lett of The Eyrie Vineyards is widely considered the father of Oregon Pinot Noir. [76]
HillCrest Vineyards Umpqua Valley AVA 1961Oregon's oldest estate winery. [77]
Honeywood Winery Willamette Valley AVA 1934Oldest continuously operating winery in Oregon. [78]
Ponzi Vineyards Laurelwood District AVA 1970 Dick and Nancy Ponzi are recognized as being among Oregon's winemaking pioneers and leaders. [79]
Sokol Blosser Winery Dundee Hills AVA 1971Synonymous with sustainability. [80]
Willamette Valley Vineyards Willamette Valley AVA 1983Oregon's only publicly traded winery. [81]

See also

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Washington wine</span> Wine produced from grape varieties grown in the U.S. state of Washington

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Willamette Valley AVA</span> Wine region in Oregon, United States

Willamette Valley is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) which lies in the Willamette Valley of Oregon. The AVA is the wine growing region which encompasses the drainage basin of the Willamette River. It stretches from the Columbia River in the north to just south of Eugene in the south, where the Willamette Valley ends; and from the Oregon Coast Range in the west to the Cascade Mountains in the east. At 5,360 square miles, it is the largest AVA in the state, and contains most of the state's wineries; approximately 908 as of 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Southern Oregon AVA</span> American Viticultural Area

The Southern Oregon AVA is an American Viticultural Area which lies in Southern Oregon, United States. The Southern Oregon AVA was established in 2005 and was created to include the land of two smaller AVAs: the Rogue Valley AVA and the Umpqua Valley AVA. Southern Oregon AVA was established to allow the two principal winegrowing regions in the southern part of the state to market themselves jointly. This creation of a "super-AVA" is a departure from the trend in the Willamette Valley AVA or northern Oregon of establishing smaller AVAs specific to a particular locale's climate or soil conditions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Umpqua Valley AVA</span>

The Umpqua Valley AVA is one of the first American Viticultural Area (AVA) in Oregon and located entirely within Douglas County, Oregon. It became a sub-appellation within the larger Southern Oregon AVA when it was established in 2004. Its boundaries are detailed in Code of Federal Regulations, Title 27 Chapter I Part 9 section 89(C).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rogue Valley AVA</span> American Viticultural Area in southern Oregon

The Rogue Valley AVA is an American Viticultural Area located in southern Oregon. The federal government approved this appellation in 1991. It is entirely contained within the larger Southern Oregon AVA and includes the drainage basin of the Rogue River and several tributaries, including the Illinois River, the Applegate River, and Bear Creek. Most wineries in the region are found in the valleys formed by one of these three tributaries, rather than along the Rogue River itself. The region is 70 miles (113 km) wide by 60 miles (97 km) long ; there are fewer than 20 wineries with only 1,100 acres (450 ha) planted. Each river valley has a unique terroir, and grows different varieties of grapes. Overall, however, this region is the warmest and driest of Oregon's wine-growing regions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dundee Hills AVA</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Columbia Gorge AVA</span> American Viticultural Area

Columbia Gorge is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) which includes land surrounding the Columbia River Gorge, straddling the border between Oregon and Washington. The AVA was established by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau {TTB), Treasury on July 9, 2004 after reviewing the petition submitted by Mark Wharry, on behalf of the Columbia River Gorge Wine Growers Association, proposing the viticultural area named "Columbia Gorge." The 280 square miles AVA is located about 60 miles (97 km) east of Portland, Oregon, straddles the Columbia River for 15 miles (24 km), and extends into south-central Washington and north-central Oregon. The area surrounds Hood River, Oregon, and White Salmon, Washington, and is generally bordered by B Z Corner, Washington, on the north; Lyle, Washington, on the east; Parkdale, Oregon, on the south; and Vinzenz Lausmann State Park, Oregon, on the west. The area is just west of the established Columbia Valley viticultural area and shares a border with it. Due to the significant gradations of climate and geography found in the gorge, this AVA exhibits a wide range of terroir in a relatively small region; it is marketed as a "world of wine in 40 miles".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yakima Valley AVA</span> Wine grape-growing region in Washington, U.S.

Yakima Valley is the first American Viticultural Area (AVA) established within Washington state, gaining the recognition on May 4, 1983. Within the vast Columbia Valley AVA, Yakima Valley appellation cultivates more than 53,000 acres (21,448 ha) giving the region the largest concentration of wineries and vineyards in the state. The most widely planted varietals in the area are Chardonnay, Riesling, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot gris, and Syrah. Nearly 40% of Washington's annual wine production is made from Yakima Valley grapes. In addition to grapes, the Yakima Valley is also home to several fruit orchards growing apples, cherries, nectarines, peaches, pears and plums. Around the town of Zillah, there is the Zillah Fruit Loop driving tour through the area's orchards and vineyards. The area is also home to nearly 80% of the US hop production.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Walla Walla Valley AVA</span> American Viticultural Area (AVA) within Washington state

Walla Walla Valley is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) located within Washington state and extending partly into the northeastern corner of Oregon. The wine region is entirely included within the larger Columbia Valley AVA. In addition to grapes, the area produces sweet onions, wheat and strawberries After the Yakima Valley AVA, the Walla Walla AVA has the second highest concentration of vineyards and wineries in Washington State. Walla Walla hosts about 140 wineries. The area was recognized on March 7, 1984 by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury after reviewing the petition submitted by Mr. Richard L Small, President of the Walla Walla Valley Winegrowers Association, for the establishment of a viticultural area in southeast Washington and northeast Oregon, east of Lake Wallula, to be known as "Walls Walls Valley." At the time, Walla Walla Valley viticultural area was approximately 178,560 acres (279 sq mi) with two bonded wineries and about 60 acres (24 ha) from several vineyards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Willamette Valley Vineyards</span> American winery based in Turner, Oregon


Willamette Valley Vineyards is an American winery located in Turner, Oregon. Named after Oregon's Willamette Valley, the winery is the leading producer of Willamette Valley-appellated Pinot Noir in Oregon, and also produces Chardonnay and Pinot Gris. In 2016, the winery was the largest producer of Riesling wine in the Willamette Valley.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Snake River Valley AVA</span> Viticultural area in Idaho and Oregon, USA

Snake River Valley is Idaho’s first American Viticultural Area (AVA) that encompasses an area in southwestern Idaho and two counties in eastern Oregon. The area was established on April 9, 2007 by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), Treasury after reviewing the petition submitted by Idahoan vintners of the Snake River Valley, the Idaho Grape Growers and Wine Producers Commission, and the Idaho Department of Commerce and Labor, collectively acting as “petitioner” to establish the 8,263 square miles viticultural area named "Snake River Valley." For wines to bear the "Snake River Valley" label, at least 85% of the grapes used for production must be grown in the designated area, which includes the southwestern Idaho counties of Ada, Adams, Boise, Canyon, Elmore, Gem, Gooding, Jerome, Owyhee, Payette, Twin Falls, and Washington, and the Eastern Oregon counties of Malheur and Baker. The appellation, when established, was resident to 15 wineries and 46 vineyards with 1,800 acres (728 ha) under vine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mendocino County wine</span>

The Mendocino County wine is an appellation that designates wine made from grapes grown mostly in Mendocino County, California. The region is part of the larger North Coast AVA and one of California's largest and most climatically diverse wine growing regions. Mendocino County is one of the northernmost commercial wine grape regions in the state with two distinct climate zones separated by the Mendocino Range. Ten American Viticultural Areas have been designated within Mendocino County. Mendocino is one of the leading wine growing regions for organically produced wine grapes. Nearly 25% of the acreage in Mendocino County is grown organically. In 2004, the residents of the county voted to become the first GMO-free county in the United States in an initiative that was supported by many of the county's largest wineries. The county's widespread focus on organic viticulture has inspired journalists to describe it as "California's organic wine Mecca".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sonoma County wine</span> Wine made in Sonoma County, California

Sonoma County wine is wine made in Sonoma County, California, in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Russian River Valley AVA</span> American Viticultural Area in California

The Russian River Valley AVA is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) in Sonoma County, California. Centered on the Russian River, the Russian River Valley AVA accounts for about one-sixth of the total planted vineyard acreage in Sonoma County. The appellation was granted AVA status in 1983 and enlarged in 2005. The area generally lies between Sebastopol and Santa Rosa in the south, and Forestville and Healdsburg in the north. The Russian River Valley has a characteristically cool climate, heavily affected by fog generated by the valley's proximity to the Pacific Ocean. The area is known for its success with cool climate varietals, notably Pinot noir and Chardonnay.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bethel Heights Vineyard</span> Winery in Willamette Valley, Oregon, U.S.

Bethel Heights Vineyard is an Oregon winery in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA of the Willamette Valley. Founded in 1977 by twin brothers Ted and Terry Casteel, their wives Pat Dudley and Marilyn Webb, and Pat's sister Barbara Dudley, the vineyard was one of the earliest plantings in the Eola-Amity Hills region. A winery soon followed, with the first estate wines produced in 1984. Bethel Heights specializes in Pinot noir, offering several individual block and vineyard designated bottlings, but also produces wines made from Chardonnay, Pinot gris, Pinot blanc, Riesling, Grüner Veltliner, and Gewürztraminer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dick Ponzi</span> American winemaker

Dick Ponzi is an American winemaker, a pioneer of the Oregon wine industry and the Oregon brewing industry, and the founder of Ponzi Vineyards, one of the Willamette Valley's founding wineries. He also had a successful career as a structural engineer. Ponzi is regarded as an enological and viticultural innovator. He was a founding member and the first president of the Oregon Winegrowers Association and a founding director of the Oregon Wine Board. He and his wife also established Oregon's first craft brewery, Bridgeport Brewing Company.

Lower Long Tom is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) located in Oregon's southern Willamette Valley in Lane and Benton Counties, near the towns of Junction City and Monroe. The district was established on December 10, 2021, by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau. Its coverage is approximately 25,000 acres (10,117 ha) and contains 12 wineries and 24 commercially-producing vineyards that plant approximately 575 acres (233 ha). It lies entirely within the Willamette Valley AVA. The region is primarily known for its Pinot noir and Pinot gris.

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Further reading, by publication date

  1. ↑ "Book Review: Winemakers of the Willamette Valley: Pioneering Vintners from Oregon's Wine Country and Oregon Wine Pioneers". December 27, 2015. Archived from the original on August 21, 2016. Retrieved August 21, 2016.
  2. ↑ "The Law of Wine: A Guide to Business and Legal Issues in Oregon" (PDF). Stoel Reeves LLP. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 21, 2016. Retrieved August 20, 2016.
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