The Willamette Valley: Oregon Wine Country
The Willamette Valley, located in the heart of Oregon, just south of Portland, is known for its beautiful scenery, rich agricultural land, and world-class wine. It has become one of the premier wine-making destinations in the United States.
The Quote
“Brillat-Savarin noted two features that distinguish man from beast: 1. Fear of the future. 2. Desire for fermented liquors.” ― Kermit Lynch, Adventures on the Wine Route: A Wine Buyer’s Tour of France
The Valley Story
The valley contains the political and cultural epicenters of Oregon. It is home to about 70 percent of its population. It includes Portland, its largest city, a city with a distinguishing motto: keep it weird, and Salem, the state capital. The Willamette River flows the entire length of the valley, which is surrounded by mountains on three sides — the Oregon Coast Range to the west, the Cascade Range to the east, and the Calapooya Mountains to the south.
The valley’s many waterways continuously put highly fertile alluvial soils on the valley’s broad, flat plain. The valley, widely known in the 1820s as a promised land of flowing milk and honey, was the destination for the oxen-drawn wagon trains of people on the Oregon Trail. “Nobody traveled the Oregon Trail alone,” a bookseller told me, an adventurer who had walked and biked the length of the trail alone, and now cursed Amazon for his books store’s performance. “Throughout the 19th century, travelers formed groups so they could help and protect each other. Relatives and people from the same town traveled together with a hired guide that knew the Trail. The groups that did best on the Trail wrote constitutions or rules that they could use to settle disagreements or problems on the Trail.”
What a difference two centuries makes
Today the valley is Oregon’s Wine Country with more than 19,000 acres of vineyards and 500+ wineries. The Willamette Valley is an ideal location for wine-making due to its unique climate and soil composition. Situated between the Coastal Range and the Cascade Mountains, it has a mild, maritime climate with cool, damp winters and warm, dry summers. This climate, combined with the region’s rich, volcanic soil, produces grapes with distinct flavors and aromas that are prized by winemakers around the world.
Many of the Willamette Valley’s wineries are small, family-owned operations that produce a wide variety of wines, including Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, and Riesling. Pinot Noir is the most widely grown grape variety in the Willamette Valley. Accordingly, the region is known for producing some of the world’s best Pinot Noir wines.
Making Wine
It’s a labor-intensive process requiring careful attention to detail at every stage of the production process. The process begins in the vineyard, where grape growers cultivate the vines and monitor the grapes for ripeness. Once the grapes are harvested, they are carefully sorted, crushed, and pressed to extract the juice.
The juice is then fermented in barrels or tanks, where yeast converts the sugar in the grapes into alcohol. This process can take several weeks or months, depending on the type of wine being produced. Once the wine is fermented, it is aged in oak barrels or stainless-steel tanks to develop its flavor and aroma.
Economic Impact
The wine-making industry in the Willamette Valley has a significant economic impact on the region. In addition to creating jobs and supporting local businesses, the industry also attracts tourists from all over the world. Wine-tasting tours and festivals are popular activities in the region, providing visitors with an opportunity to sample some of it best wines, which might also be some of the best wines in the world, while enjoying the beautiful scenery of the Willamette Valley.
With more than 500 wineries, the region has become one of the premier wine-making destinations in the world. Whether you’re a wine enthusiast or just looking for a beautiful place to visit, the Willamette Valley is definitely worth exploring.
Can you buy a vinery?
Wineries to visit.
The Willamette Valley is home to many exceptional wineries, each with its own unique style and flavor. Here are a few of the best:
- Domaine Serene (Veux Frères), it is a highly respected winery located in the Dundee Hills of the Willamette Valley. Founded in 1989 by Ken Evenstad and Grace Evenstad, Domaine Serene has established itself as one of the top producers of Pinot Noir in the region. They are known for their meticulous vineyard management, cutting-edge winemaking techniques, and focus on producing high-quality, terroir-driven wines.
- Domaine Drouhin, founded in 1987, is a family-owned winery that produces world-class Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Their wines are known for their complexity, balance, and longevity, and they have received numerous accolades and awards over the years. Véronique Drouhin-Boss is the winemaker and co-owner.
- Stoller Family Estate: Situated on a beautiful 373-acre property in the Dundee Hills, Stoller Family Estate is one of the largest and most well-known wineries in the region. They specialize in producing Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Gris, and their wines are characterized by their purity, intensity, and vibrancy.
- Argyle Winery: Argyle Winery has been producing exceptional sparkling wines in the Willamette Valley for over 30 years. Their wines are made using the traditional méthode champenoise, and they have been recognized as some of the best sparkling wines in the world.
- Penner-Ash Wine Cellars: Founded in 1998, Penner-Ash Wine Cellars is a small, family-owned winery that produces some of the finest Pinot Noir and Syrah in the region. Their wines are characterized by their depth, complexity, and balance, and they are highly sought after by wine enthusiasts around the world.
- Raptor Ridge Winery, which is located in the Chehalem Mountains AVA (American Viticultural Area) near Portland, Oregon. The winemaker at Raptor Ridge is named Scott Shull, and he has gained a reputation for producing exceptional Pinot Noir and Grüner Veltliner wines. Raptor Ridge was founded in 1995 by Scott and his wife, Annie, and the winery has since become one of the most respected producers in the Willamette Valley. The winery’s name comes from the raptors (birds of prey) that can often be seen soaring above the vineyards.
- The Chehalem Mountains AVA is located in the northern part of the Willamette Valley, and it is known for its diverse soils, which include volcanic basalt, marine sedimentary, and windblown loess. The region is particularly well-suited for growing Pinot Noir, and Raptor Ridge takes advantage of the unique terroir to produce wines that are expressive, nuanced, and complex.
- Reustle-Prayer Rock Vineyards, a winery located in the Umpqua Valley AVA of Oregon, which is near the Parrett Mountains. The winery is owned by Stephen Reustle, a winemaker who has earned numerous accolades for his wines. Reustle-Prayer Rock Vineyards was founded in 2001 and has quickly become one of the most respected wineries in the region. The winery’s focus is on producing high-quality, estate-grown wines that showcase the unique terroir of the Umpqua Valley. They are particularly known for their outstanding Pinot Noir and Grüner Veltliner, but they also produce a range of other varietals, including Syrah, Tempranillo, and Malbec. Stephen Reustle, the winemaker and owner, has a background in science and engineering, and he brings a meticulous attention to detail to his winemaking. He employs a number of innovative techniques to produce wines that are expressive, complex, and age-worthy. The winery’s tasting room is also unique, featuring a natural rock wall and stunning views of the surrounding vineyards and mountains. Overall, Reustle-Prayer Rock Vineyards is a gem of a winery in the Umpqua Valley, producing exceptional wines that showcase the beauty and complexity of the region.
Last word
The best way to learn about wine is by drinking. But don’t drink and drive. And eat, preferably in good company.
