The Future of Oregon Wine: A Journey Through Emerging Varieties and Regions
So, you’re sauntering down the wooden pathways of the Willamette Valley, gazing in amazement at the rolling quilt-like pattern of vineyards that sprawl across the cheek of the valley. The sun naps on the horizon, painting a glorious masterpiece over the dusky sky. You sip a fine glass of pinot noir and think, “Gosh, Oregon wine is at the zenith of its glory”. But, hold your glass my friend, great things anchored in the soil are just starting to sprout.
Let’s Wine About Tempranillo and Gamay, Shall We?
Oregon put its stamp on the world’s wine map by nurturing award-winning pinot noirs. But the adventurous winemakers of our great state are branching out. Lately, we’ve been going a bit loco over a little Spanish grape named Tempranillo. Head over to Southern Oregon, just a stone’s throw from Rogue River, and you’ll find vineyards like Abacela giving new life to this batch of sun-worshipping grapes. It’s the new kid on the block that ain’t no small fry. It’s robust, full-bodied with a smack of bold tannins that many Oregonians are learning to love.
Then, up the slope into the Willamette Valley, gamay has been causing a bit of a ruckus. Known as gamay noir, this variant of the grape from Beaujolais has taken root in our crumbly, volcanic Jory soil. Drop by Brick House Vineyards in Newberg, or Evening Land Vineyards in Salem, and swish around a goblet of this juicy red that’s teasing the taste buds of locals and visitors alike.
The Valley Beyond Pinot
When you think of Oregon, you probably think of a cunningly crisp Pinot Gris or a soul-soothingly smooth Pinot Noir. The glory of the Willamette Valley usually overshadows the rest. But, native Oregonians will tell you there’s more to Oregon wines than just pinot.
Down south in the Rogue Valley, an unsung symphony of Bordeaux wines have been quietly serenading a new wave of wine affections. Next time you find yourself in the Medford area, pop into Quady North or Troon Vineyards and treat your palate to a Bordeaux wine that has been ripened under the Oregon sun until it sings.
In the Carlton region too, locals can’t stop chattering about sparkling wines of Sylvanus Estate. It’s far from the glitz and glamour of champagne, but just as mouthwateringly good.
Breath of Life in Forgotten Regions
Oregon’s growth is not just about embracing new grape types but also about giving a facelift to less crowded regions. For this, we’re looking at the wine growers in the Columbia Gorge. Straddling the border between Oregon and Washington, this region is like a fruit salad of diverse grape varietals. Each vineyard has its personality, tainted in grit and resilience, just like an Oregonian heart.
A quick pit stop at the estate of Analemma in Mosier or Memaloose in Lyle, and you’ll see why this region is being called the frontier of Oregon wine. My local wisdom? Don’t miss the Gewürztraminer from Analemma. It’s so aromatic; you’ll think you’ve landed in the heart of a tropical island.
You also won’t go wrong with the Rieslings of Brooks Winery near Amity. The rain-soaked hills and valleys of Yamhill County had many a tale buried in them, but now they whisper stories of glorious Rieslings and awe-inspiring Melon de Bourgognes.
Here’s to Oregon, and to the Love for Wine
If there’s one thing we know well here in Oregon, it’s rain. And if there’s another thing we know well, it’s wine. The truth is, the future of Oregon wine is as vibrant and varied as the weather in a single day here. In Oregon, we don’t follow the trail; we create it — one vintage at a time.
So next time you stroll along the rows of gnarled vines in Dundee or take a leisurely bike ride along the Fruit Loop in Hood River, remember this — the best of Oregon wine is yet to be uncorked. Filled with a love as deep as Crater Lake and as enduring as our historic covered bridges, each bottle of Oregon wine has a story to tell, a journey to share. And as true Oregonians, we live for the joy of discovering these stories, one sip at a time.