One of the most promising wine-growing regions in the United States, Oregon is renowned for being a small producer of high-quality wines.
In the south of the State of Washington, the State of Oregon lies on the Pacific Northwest of the United States. The vineyards spreading south of Portland receive an oceanic influence. This humid viticultural area of small wine estates differs with the arid Washington state and its big wine companies. The vaste wine region of Oregon is divided in two viticultural areas:
- In the north, Willamette Valley AVA (American Viticultural Area) spreads west of the Cascade Range, from Portland to Salem and Eugene. The sub-region has the highest number of vineyards and wine estates in Oregon. The warm and dry summers are tempered by the cool Pacific influence, which also gives cold and humid winters. The important diurnal temperature variation brings a balance of acidity and fruit to the wine thanks to a slow maturation of the grape. The mild oceanic climate is excellent for the growing of cool-climate grape varieties like Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris.
- The second wine-growing area is Southern Oregon AVA which stretch on 200 kilometres from the south of Eugene to the Californian border. It includes the famous appellations of Umpqua Valley and Rogue Valley. Southern Oregon enjoys the warmest conditions in all the state, but also has cooler sites on the valleys and the foothills.
Main grape varieties in Oregon
Oregon is well-known for its production of Pinot Noir. The red wine has strong similarities with the Burgundy ones, from the red cherry color to the black cherry flavors.
The state can produces cool-climate varieties like Chardonnay or Pinot Gris.
Best producers in Oregon
The most important and famous wine producer in Oregon is Domaine Drouhin. Beaux Frères and WillaKenzie produce excellent wines of Pinot Noir, among the best of the world production.
