Oregon
When people speak of wines from the Pacific Northwest, they are referring to wines from Oregon and Washington. These two states have vibrant wine industries that have been growing in production and reputation over the last couple of decades. While the two states share a border, the growing regions are, nonetheless, quite different.
Oregon has five appellations:- Willamette Valley
- Umpqua Valley
- Rouge Valley
- Columbia Valley
- Walla Walla
It is the Willamette Valley that has placed Oregon on the map.
Located east of the Coastal Range and west of the Cascades along the Willamette River, the Willamette Valley produces two-thirds of the of the state's wine. The Willamette Valley is a cool weather climate that is perfectly suited to grow Pinot Noir, the red grape of Burgundy. Studies have been done that chart the hours of sunlight, average rainfall, and temperature between the Willamette and Burgundy and the similarities are stunning.
The first pinot noir grapes were planted in the late 60's by David Lett (Eyrie Vineyards). He had come to the area after traveling around Burgundy for a year studying how to produce fine Pinot. Local farmers thought that he was crazy, but his and other pioneers' successes helped forge the internationally-recognized wine industry in Oregon today.
Pinot Noir is not the only grape grown in the Willamette Valley. A number of white wine grapes are also farmed there. Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Riesling, Gewürztraminer, and Viognier all have found a home in the Willamette Valley. All these white grapes originated in Northern Europe in cool climates which make them a perfect match for the Willamette Valley. Pinot Gris, in Italy known as Pinot Grigio, is king of Willamette whites. Oregon's Pinot Gris is crisp, slightly spicy and well-balanced, making it a very food-friendly wine.
The Oregon wine industry is not limited to cold climate grapes. South of the Willamette are the Umpqua and the Rogue Valleys. Both are warmer than the Willamette Valley, allowing for Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, grapes that require a longer ripening season.
The other two appellations in Oregon are the smallest. Both the Columbia Valley and the Walla Walla are located in the north of the state and actually straddle the border with Washington. These are the smallest appellations in Oregon. The Columbia Valley follows a short stretch of the Columbia River and has a diverse climate. It supports the growth of many grape varietals. The Walla Walla is to the east and is very hot and dry. Cabernet and Merlot do well in the hot, dry environment.