North Williamette Valley- Ribbon Ridge - established 2004

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About Ribbon Ridge

The Ribbon Ridge area lies west of Dundee and northwest of Carlton, and consists of a long low ridge that runs for more than ten miles east to west through Yamhill County. The area is homw to some of Oregon's best known wineries.

A drive along North Valley Road gives you a spectacular view of the entire area- it's a little used route for those who want to try "the road less traveled". Turn onto Calkins Lane, follow it up to Bergstrom, and turn around for one of the nicest views in Yamhill.

The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) has designated "Ribbon Ridge" as an American viticultural area (AVA). The petition was submitted on behalf of the winegrape growers and wineries located on Ribbon Ridge and within the proposed boundaries of the "Ribbon Ridge" AVA. It had the unanimous support of all growers and wineries within the proposed boundary. The designation, which is effective July 1, 2005, means that wines produced from grapes grown within the AVA boundaries can now list "Ribbon Ridge" on the labels as the point of origin.

The AVA, which is wholly within Oregon's Willamette Valley AVA, consists of a natural geological formation; a distinct ridge approximately three and one-half miles long and one and three-quarters miles across, covering approximately 5.25 square miles and 3,350 acres. It is estimated that between 1,000 and 1,400 acres in the proposed "Ribbon Ridge" viticultural area are suited to premium winegrape planting. Fourteen vineyards and five wineries are currently located on Ribbon Ridge, with around 400 acres currently planted. Four additional vineyards and three additional wineries are currently in the planning stage and should be developed within the next three years. Vineyard or winery operations now own in excess of 700 total acres on Ribbon Ridge.

The "Ribbon Ridge" viticultural area is located in the northern part of Yamhill County between Newberg and Gaston, 35 kilometers (22 miles) southwest of Portland at 45 Degrees 21' N Latitude and 123 Degrees 04' W Longitude. The ridge, approximately 1.75 miles wide and 3.50 miles in length, oriented south-southeast, is clearly defined by both elevation and Yamhill County roads.

The petition was accepted by the TTB and posted for comments on November 3, 2003. The TTB accepted public comments on the proposed AVA until January 2, 2004. It was finally published in the national registry June 1, 2005 and is effective July 1, 2005.

Appellation Maps

Ribbon Ridge