Oregon

Established in 1983, Oregon’s Willamette Valley is a bright star in the New World. Like Burgundy, the heart of this scenic appellation lies at a 45° latitude and boasts a cool maritime climate characterized by long, gentle growing seasons. The valley spans 120 miles, stretching from its northernmost point at the mouth of the Columbia River to just south of Douglas County. It’s 60 miles across at its widest point, with the concentration of the appellation’s 929 vineyards stretching across gently rolling hills on the leeward side of the Coast Range. Nestled between this range and the Cascade Mountain Range to the east, vines benefit from steady winds funneled off the Pacific Ocean; these winds aid in moderating summer temperatures, lessening the threat of potentially damaging late spring frosts.

Warm, sun-drenched summers with cool nights endow Willamette Valley fruit with high levels of ripe acidity. In ideal years, dry Indian summers allow fruit to gain optimum levels of ripeness. Recognized as a region that produces world-class Pinot Noir, the Willamette Valley is divided into seven sub-appellations and is home to over 500 wineries. These are:

• Chehalem Mountains
• Dundee Hills
• Eola-Amity Hills
• McMinnville
• Ribbon Ridge
• Van Duzer Corridor
• Yamhill-Carlton

The region has pinned its reputation on Pinot Noir and perhaps more recently, Chardonnay. Wineries are known to produce stunning examples of Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc as well. Its reputation as the New World’s answer to Burgundy is well deserved while staying true to expressing its own unique terroir.