In the southwest corner of the Pacific Northwest lies an underrated gem in the wine world named Oregon, which history buffs know to be part of the Louisiana Purchase and the end of the Lewis and Clark Trail. The state’s terrain offers everything from high desert to a rocky Pacific coast, volcanic mountains, waterfalls and evergreen forests.

Oregon’s place in the agricultural world is unique in that it produces what are often considered “luxury” products. Berries abound, from basic blue, black and raspberries to the more exclusive huckleberries, marionberries and boysenberries. Add bok choy, hazelnuts, truffles and hops to the list and you’ll have a what’s what in cool weather agriculture. This is Oregon’s selling point and it gives the state a particular, unchallenged place in the ...   Show more...

In the southwest corner of the Pacific Northwest lies an underrated gem in the wine world named Oregon, which history buffs know to be part of the Louisiana Purchase and the end of the Lewis and Clark Trail. The state’s terrain offers everything from high desert to a rocky Pacific coast, volcanic mountains, waterfalls and evergreen forests.

Oregon’s place in the agricultural world is unique in that it produces what are often considered “luxury” products. Berries abound, from basic blue, black and raspberries to the more exclusive huckleberries, marionberries and boysenberries. Add bok choy, hazelnuts, truffles and hops to the list and you’ll have a what’s what in cool weather agriculture. This is Oregon’s selling point and it gives the state a particular, unchallenged place in the market—in fact, with the exception of blueberries, most of the berries produced in the country come from here. The same is true of hops, used in making beer. Along the coast and in the rivers, salmon fishing is a substantial industry, both in terms of tourism and production.

And then there is wine, which is a relatively recent development in the state. Although the first Oregon wineries were founded in late 1800s, it was almost a century later in the early 1960s that the wine industry began to develop—in what’s now the Umpqua Valley American Viticultural Area (AVA), not the Willamette. What? Zinfandel is Oregon’s grape? Who knew?

Although Noble Grapes—Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah—are planted successfully, Southern Oregon is increasingly becoming known for its Spanish varietals. Abacela in particular has a formidable reputation for their Grenache, Tempranillo and Albarino. But there’s a big difference in Southern Oregon and the Willamette Valley AVAs further north.

In the late 60s, David Lett planted the first Pinot Noir in the Willamette Valley. This was followed a few years later by the Eraths, Ponzis and Adelsheims. Since that time, Oregon’s reputation has grown to that of a world class Pinot Noir producer, even attracting Old World producers to the party: in 1987, the 125 year old house of Joseph Drouhin purchased 100 acres in the Dundee Hills. The cool temperatures formed by the Coast and the Cascade Mountains, plus the rain shadow caused by the Coast Range make for prime Pinot Noir climate. ~Rob Boss   Show less...

Applegate Valley AVA

Chehalem Mountains AVA

Columbia Gorge AVA

Columbia Valley AVA

Dundee Hills AVA

Elkton Oregon AVA

Eola-Amity Hills AVA

McMinnville

McMinnville AVA

Red Hill Douglas County, Oregon

Ribbon Ridge AVA

Rogue Valley AVA

Snake River Valley AVA

Southern Oregon AVA

Umpqua Valley AVA

Walla Walla Valley AVA

Willamette Valley AVA

Yamhill-Carlton AVA

Yamhill-Carlton Region

• Applegate Valley Wine Trail
• Chehalem Mountains Winegrowers
• Columbia Gorge Winegrowers Association
• Dundee Hills Winegrowers Association
• Eola-Amity Hills AVA
• Essential Northwest Wines
• Great Northwest Wine
• Northwest Wine Anthem
• Oregon Wine
• Oregon Wine Board
• Oregon Wine Press
• Oregon Winette
• OregonWines.com
• Prince of Pinot - PinotFile
• Southern Oregon Winery Association
• Umpqua Valley Wine News
• Umpqua Valley Winegrowers Association
• Upper Rogue Wine Trail
• Willamette Valley Wineries
• Wine Julia
• Wine Press Northwest
• Wines NW
• Yamhill-Carlton AVA