A Toast to the Future: Oregon’s Wine Landscape is Expanding
Set aside your Pinot Noir – there’s an exciting wine renaissance unfolding in the verdant valleys and strikingly steep hills of Oregon. With more than 700 wineries dotting our fertile lands, Oregon brings a lot to the vine-covered table. Brimming with diversity, our land is creating a smorgasbord of exceptional wines.
Varied Valley, Varied Vines
Oregon’s got a whole lot of sky and, therefore, a whole lot of weather. You’ve got your breezy beach towns like Astoria, sun-drenched high desert areas such as Bend, and everything in-between. You can’t help but to fall in love with the weather here—it has personality, just like us locals. And this character plays a significant part in the burgeoning story of Oregonian wine.
For folks who have hiked the exquisite trails of the Siskiyou Mountains or caught the breathtaking views from Mt. Hood’s Timberline Lodge, you know all about our varied climates. It’s hard to believe sometimes that this potpourri of landscapes is responsible for such a diverse spread of wine. While we’re famous for our delectable cool-climate Pinot Noir, winemakers have been branching out, producing astounding varietals that enrich our burgeoning wine culture.
An Ode to Twin Sisters and Valley Gems
In the Umpqua Valley, old-time determinants and vineyard newcomers have been experimenting with Tempranillo and Albariño. Over in the Rogue Valley, some folks are finding that a touch of Syrah is a delightful surprise after a day spent fishing along the Rogue River or golfing at Indian Creek.
Twin Sisters Vineyard, tucked away in Elkton, has been drawing in wine aficionados with its Riesling, while J. Scott Cellars in Eugene blends tradition with innovation, pioneering varietals like Roussanne and Viognier.
But even as new wine regions continue to emerge, let’s not forget the stunning vineyards of our beloved Yamhill County. The world-renowned Willamette Valley has been our wine heartland since Richard Sommer first planted vines at HillCrest Vineyard in 1961.
The Oregon Sparkles
It’s not just about still wine here in the Beaver State. You can call us the Sparkling State. Sparkling wine production is on a rapid rise, one that only a morning visit to the Saturday Market in Portland might beat. Deep in the heart of the Willamette Valley, Argyle Winery has been pioneering Methode Champenoise, producing superb bubbles for over 30 years.
Not to be outdone, Tony Soter’s Mineral Springs Ranch winery has been tickling palates with their sparkling Brut Rosé. The Cornelius Pass area, that fun backroad between Hillsboro and Beaverton, is home to the quirky Kramer Vineyards, a family-run establishment making an array of sparkling wines with Pacific Northwest flair.
A Taste of What’s Yet to Come
As we wander towards the future of Oregon wine, let’s be prepared to bump into exotic sounding names like Trousseau and Cinsault, which are making their appearances in Applegate Valley.
Be open to the subtle nuances of coastal wind on Baco Noir vines in the Elkton AVA. Relish in the evolution of old-vine Chenin Blanc cropping up from the red soils east of Salem. And keep an eye on the quiet expansion of Italian varietals in the vineyards around Roseburg.
Raising Our Glasses High
As Oregonians, we know how to appreciate the depths of good wine. The forward-thinking spirit of our vineyard pioneers keeps the industry innovative and invigorating, not unlike a splendid glass of toast-worthy Charles & Charles Rosé on a sweltering summer afternoon.
So, my fellow Oregonians, whether you’re foraging for huckleberries on Mt. Hood, crabbing at the Nehalem Bay, or trailing along the Van Duzer Corridor on a foggy morning, remember to take a moment to raise your glass to the pioneers, the enologists, the barrel coopers, and seemingly endless vines under our often cloudy, sometimes sunny, always inspiring Oregon skies.
Vibrant and undeniably dynamic, the future of Oregon wine is an exciting realm ripe and ready for exploration. We invite you to pull up a seat, pop a cork, and join us in savoring the journey. Look forward to more unusual, delightful surprises from our expansive, beautiful wine country.