The Future of Oregon Wine is Bright and Unexpected
Ah, Oregon. Known for its lush landscapes, the Pacific Wonderland has been gaining surreptitious recognition on the international stage of late, but not for what the locals might guess. It’s not our stunning Crater Lake, or Multnomah Falls, or the mysterious tales of Bigfoot that’s been catching worldwide attention. No, sir. It’s our very own liquid gold—the Oregon wine.
A Taste of Oregon’s Groundbreaking Grapes
People might think first of Pinot Noir when Oregon wine is mentioned – indeed, the Willamette Valley has been trumping French Burgundies left, right, and center with its impressive Pinots. But, like the unpredictable Oregon weather, the future of Oregon wine is poised to surprise even the most seasoned oenophiles.
From the volcanic soil of the Columbia Gorge to the loamy earth of the Umpqua Valley, a palette of soon-to-shine varietals beyond Pinot Noir are finally getting their time under the Oregon sun.
Moving Beyond Pinot Noir
The wine growers of the Rogue Valley, our southernmost wine region, are challenging the Pinot Noir dominated landscape by embracing the unfamiliar. They’ve been working their britches off and fine-tuning classic French grapes such as Syrah and Viognier, producing wines that even a Wallowa cowboy would doff his Stetson for.
In the Chehalem Mountains, winemakers who don’t mind standing out like a seagull in the Smith Rock desert have been tinkering with Chardonnay. They’re building upon the variety’s fantastic adaptability which rivals the versatility of a Pendleton blanket in an Oregon winter.
Meanwhile, the cool-climate terroir of the Elkton AVA has been a gracious host to a burgeoning German varietal, Riesling. The resulting wines express a bright acidity and deliciously sweet character that goes down smoother than a well-rehearsed Mark Twain yarn on the porch of the Driftwood Public Library.
Sideways Surprises: Emerging Oregon Varieties
Can you imagine an Oregon winery without Pinot Noir? It’s like imagining Portland without Powell’s City of Books – both feel a bit uncanny. However, take a short trip out of your comfort zone to Illahe Vineyards, a ride smoother than a tram trip down to the Willamette River. Here, glimpses of a thriving future-beyond-Pinot are more than just a sommelier’s tall tale.
Illahe Vineyards has been enthusiastic in their experimentation, cultivating lesser-known grape varietals like Grüner Veltliner and Tempranillo. These unexpected choices bring character as unique as our Tillamook Cheddar, proving that looking beyond the familiar Mother Nature can indeed offer a delightful surprise.
Opening New Oregon Territory
Where are the new boundaries of Oregon viticulture you ask? Look no further than Walla Walla Valley. Straddling the Washington-Oregon state line, this region has developed an unusual identity, as unusual as ordering Dungeness crab in a Corvallis food cart. Thanks to the diversity of climates and soils, this region is paving the way for broad varietal experimentation.
Remember, our eastern friends in the Columbia Gorge are not just about windsurfing and Jeff’s Truck & Auto Repair. They also have a knack at playing with grapes. The Columbia Gorge AVA, with its topographical smorgasbord, hints at the possibility of a shift in winemaking trails, further defying Oregonian oenophile expectations.
Keep your eye out for Elk Cove Vineyards, who, like an adventurous hiker stepping off the Pacific Crest Trail for an unplanned detour, have invested in vineyards in the Columbia Gorge AVA. They are confidently betting on the exciting potential of Albariño.
Enjoy the Wine Adventure
The Oregon wine scene is far from stagnating. It’s as invigorating as the misty air during a coastal hike at Cape Perpetua. It’s about good folks taking chances, playing with the diversity of the land, and crafting pioneering wines that are as diverse as a Powell’s City of Books’ shelf.
Not everything grows with aplomb in Oregon soil (refer back to the infamous exploding whale incident of ’69 for a lesson in what not to do), but the state’s winemakers, with their terroir-embracing pursuit and innovative spirit, continue to deliver surprises.
The next time you venture into an Oregon wine shop, whether you’re in the Protland Pearl District or way out east in Baker City, don’t stay safe with your standard Pinot Noir. Instead, seek out an Albariño, Tempranillo, Grüner Veltliner or a new varietal – and discover the exciting future of Oregon wine. After all, adventure is what Oregon is all about! Dive into these emerging varieties and be part of the astounding odyssey of Oregon wines. Cheers to that!