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Williamette Valley- established 1984
About the Williamette Valley The Willamette Valley, first authorized in 1984 is Oregon's leading wine region has two-thirds of the state's wineries and vineyards and is home to more than 200 wineries whose geographic description includes some 3.3 million acres.. It has been recognized as one of the premier Pinot noir producing areas in the world. The Willamette Valley is a huge and varied appellation that includes three sub-appellations, McMinnville, Dundee Hills and Yamhill Carlton. Three additional sub-appellations, Ribbon Ridge, Chehalem Mountains and Eola Hills have been proposed. Buffered from Pacific storms on the west by the Coast Range, the valley follows the Willamette River north to south for more than a hundred miles from the Columbia River near Portland to just south of Eugene. To the east, the Cascade Ranges draws the boundary between the Willamette Valley’s misty, cool climate and the drier, more extreme climate of eastern Oregon Considered to be a cool, marginal wine-growing region, the Willamette Valley's climate is suited to a narrower range of wine grape varieties than many other American wine regions. Its average temperatures are cooler than 75% of Washington's wine growing areas... not surprisingly, since almost all Oregon wineries are located to the west -- the "wet side" -- of the Cascade Mountains, while most Washington wineries are located to the east of the range. The Valley's climate is particularly well matched to the early-ripening Pinot noir grape, for which Oregon wineries in the region are strongly identified. At its widest point, this long, broad valley spans sixty miles. Overall, the climate boasts a long, gentle growing season – warm summers with cool evenings; bursts of Indian summer often shortened by maritime rains; wet, mild winters; and long, often rainy springs. In ideal years the maritime climate provides the best conditions possible for growing the cool-climate grape varieties Oregon is best known for – Pinot Noir. In lesser years, fall rains can be tricky and malicious, causing reactions among winemakers ranging from minor hair pulling to outright despair. In this matter the Willamette Valley compares favorably with the Burgundy and Alsace regions of France. And, like it or not, the often finicky Willamette Valley climate is the promised land for Pinot Noir in America. Wineries also produce Pinot gris, Pinot blanc, Chardonnay, Melon, Riesling, Gewurztraminer, sparkling wine, Sauvignon Blanc, and some Cabernet, Merlot and Syrah. The Willamette Valley wineries are a popular tourist destination with many bed & breakfasts, motels and fine restaurants available. An additional advantage for the wine tourist is the proximity of the wineries to Portland. From Portland, tourists can visit the Willamette Valley winery of their choice in anywhere from 45 minutes to two hours Please visit the individual winery websites for more information on direct shipment of wine, events, hours of operation, ownership, vineyard plantings, etc. Named for the river that runs through the valley from Portland to Eugene, Willamette Valley is home to some of the best Pinot Noir vineyards in the Northwest. While along the same north/south line as Seattle, the Willamette Valley is protected from Pacific rains by the Coast Range on the western border. Add that to the Cascade Ranges to the east, and you have a perfect climate wine-growing region – well, at least in good years. Rainfall can occasionally be tricky. Within the Willamette valley are three sub-regions, McMinnville, Dundee and Yamhill. Notable Facts Other than Pinot Noir, many wineries
grow Pinot Gris and Chardonnay. Pinot Gris is often delightful in its
texture and food friendliness. Chardonnay in the valley adapts well
to the cool climate and produces lean, elegant wines from the varietal.
Appellation Maps Willamette Valley Sub Appellations
Williamette
Valley Wineries Visitor Associations Northwest Wine Publications Williamette Valley Wineries
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A Washington 501(c)(3)
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Wine & Food Society of Clark County. All rights reserved. |
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