Northwest U.S. Wine Regions
There's more to the American Northwest than corporate coffee and
grunge bands. But Oregon and Washington are becoming big
players in the Worldwide wine industry. With Oregon taking leading
role if quality Pinot Noir production.
There's more to the American Northwest than corporate coffee and
grunge bands. But Oregon and Washington are becoming big
players in the Worldwide wine industry. With Oregon taking leading
role if quality Pinot Noir production.
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Fast Facts
- The Hudson Bay Company first planted
wine grapes in the Northwest in 1825 - Washington produces some 120,000
tons of grapes a year - Oregon's preferred varietal is Pinot Noir
- Washington is known for Syrah,
Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot - The Cascade Mountains help produce
good growing conditions in both Oregon
& Washington
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Oregon
Wine has been produced in Oregon since the territory was first settled in the
1840s. During Prohibition, the wine industry was nearly destroyed and
remained essentially dormant for decade. The wine started to rebuild in the
1960s, thanks to California winemakers who opened several vineyards in the
state, most notably planting Pinot Noir grapes in the Willamette Valley. In fact, it
was an oenologist from U.C. Davis -- my home town -- named David Lett who
was the first realize that the Willamette Valley's climate might be suitable for
Pinot Noir. Today, it is one of the foremost Pinot Noir regions in the U.S. and
the world. The state is also known for Chardonnay, Grenache, Merlot Pinot
Gris, Riesling and Syrah.
Regions
Willamette Valley
The Willamette Valley lies on either side of the Willamette River that flows
down from Portland to Eugene. Protected on the west by the Coast Range and
the Cascade Mountains to the east, the Willamette and its sub-regions,
McMinnville, Dundee and Yamhill is an excellent wine-growing environment,
although some years excessive Oregon rain makes the vintners business a
bit touch-and-go.
As noted above, the valley is home to some of the world's best fruit-forward
Pinot Noirs but is also known for Pinot Gris, a white variety, and Chardonnay.
Rogue River Valley
Located in the south of the state, near the towns of Medford and Ashland --
home to the famed Shakespeare festival -- the Rogue River Valley produces
notable Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris,
Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc.
Umpqua Valley
South of the Willamette Valley the Umpqua Valley is a tad drier than its
northern cousin. The climate and complex complex soil here are well suited to
Riesling, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, though some producers are venturing
into Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux-style varieties.
Oregon Viticultural Areas (AVAs)
Wine has been produced in Oregon since the territory was first settled in the
1840s. During Prohibition, the wine industry was nearly destroyed and
remained essentially dormant for decade. The wine started to rebuild in the
1960s, thanks to California winemakers who opened several vineyards in the
state, most notably planting Pinot Noir grapes in the Willamette Valley. In fact, it
was an oenologist from U.C. Davis -- my home town -- named David Lett who
was the first realize that the Willamette Valley's climate might be suitable for
Pinot Noir. Today, it is one of the foremost Pinot Noir regions in the U.S. and
the world. The state is also known for Chardonnay, Grenache, Merlot Pinot
Gris, Riesling and Syrah.
Regions
Willamette Valley
The Willamette Valley lies on either side of the Willamette River that flows
down from Portland to Eugene. Protected on the west by the Coast Range and
the Cascade Mountains to the east, the Willamette and its sub-regions,
McMinnville, Dundee and Yamhill is an excellent wine-growing environment,
although some years excessive Oregon rain makes the vintners business a
bit touch-and-go.
As noted above, the valley is home to some of the world's best fruit-forward
Pinot Noirs but is also known for Pinot Gris, a white variety, and Chardonnay.
Rogue River Valley
Located in the south of the state, near the towns of Medford and Ashland --
home to the famed Shakespeare festival -- the Rogue River Valley produces
notable Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris,
Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc.
Umpqua Valley
South of the Willamette Valley the Umpqua Valley is a tad drier than its
northern cousin. The climate and complex complex soil here are well suited to
Riesling, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, though some producers are venturing
into Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux-style varieties.
Oregon Viticultural Areas (AVAs)
- Applegate Valley
- Columbia Gorge (Oregon &
Washington) - Columbia Valley (Washington
& Oregon) - Dundee Hills
- McMinnville
- Red Hill Douglas County,
Oregon
- Ribbon Ridge
- Rogue Valley
- Southern Oregon
- Umpqua Valley
- Walla Walla Valley
- Willamette Valley
- Yamhill-Carlton District
Washington
With more than 31,000 acres and 460 wineries producing vatietals,
Washington is the second largest producer of wines in the U.S. and is
considered one of the country's finest producers. Unlike California, which
produces everything from cheap jug wine to super premium, Washington
produces mostly premium and super premium wines. Like California and
Oregon, winemaking in Washington goes back to the 19th century, with
Prohibition nearly destroying the industry. Also like California and Oregon,
Washington wines underwent a renaissance of sorts in the 1960s, leading to
and explosion in wineries and successful wine-making experiments. Today
Washington exports its wines throughout the world.
Centered around the Columbia Valley area, most of Washington's wines come
from vineyards east of the natural rain shield of the Cascade Mountains. Long
summer sunlight hours a consistent growing season alow the fruit in
Washington wines to attain just the right amount of ripening and acidity giving
them uncommon balance. Washington is also on latitude as many of the best
prime wine producing regions of Europe.
Typical wine grapes cultivated in Washington include: Barbera, Cabernet
Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Gewürztraminer,
Grenache, Malbec, Merlot, Nebbiolo, Petite Syrah, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir,
Riesling, Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Syrah, Tempranillo,
Viognier, and Zinfandel.
Washington American Viticultural Areas (AVAs)
With more than 31,000 acres and 460 wineries producing vatietals,
Washington is the second largest producer of wines in the U.S. and is
considered one of the country's finest producers. Unlike California, which
produces everything from cheap jug wine to super premium, Washington
produces mostly premium and super premium wines. Like California and
Oregon, winemaking in Washington goes back to the 19th century, with
Prohibition nearly destroying the industry. Also like California and Oregon,
Washington wines underwent a renaissance of sorts in the 1960s, leading to
and explosion in wineries and successful wine-making experiments. Today
Washington exports its wines throughout the world.
Centered around the Columbia Valley area, most of Washington's wines come
from vineyards east of the natural rain shield of the Cascade Mountains. Long
summer sunlight hours a consistent growing season alow the fruit in
Washington wines to attain just the right amount of ripening and acidity giving
them uncommon balance. Washington is also on latitude as many of the best
prime wine producing regions of Europe.
Typical wine grapes cultivated in Washington include: Barbera, Cabernet
Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Gewürztraminer,
Grenache, Malbec, Merlot, Nebbiolo, Petite Syrah, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir,
Riesling, Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Syrah, Tempranillo,
Viognier, and Zinfandel.
Washington American Viticultural Areas (AVAs)
- Columbia Gorge (Oregon & Washington)
- Columbia Valley (Washington & Oregon)
- Horse Heaven Hills
- Rattlesnake Hills
- Puget Sound
- Red Mountain
- Walla Walla Valley (Oregon and Washington)
- Wahluke Slope
- Yakima Valley
Regions
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United States
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Northwest
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Oceania
Africa
Americas
Argentina
Canada
Chile
United States
California
Northwest
Northeast
Europe
Oceania
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