“Oregon’s Wine Is Really Something Special, Isn’t It?”
The future of Oregon wine is like the anticipation you get right before the kickoff at a Ducks game, or the quiet energy buzzing beneath the cherry blossoms in Waterfront Park, just as spring is about to greet us. Slightly buzzing, full of intrigue, a touch unaccountable but intoxicating none the less. Our soils are as varied as our weather–from the maritime influences along the coast, rain shadow effect in the Cascades and arid climate in the East, a convergence of elements that makes for a thrilling wine adventure.
A Toast to Oregon’s Wine Pioneers
Remember the early days in the Willamette Valley, when David Lett, the trail-blazing “papa pinot,” had a dream? He dared to plant pinot noir and ultimately put Oregon on the global wine map. Fast forward to today and we can’t help but tip our hats to these fearless pioneers for they’ve etched a path through the delicate balance of earth and vines, encapsulating the charm of our state in each bottle.
Not to sound like my Grandma Prudence on a foggy day in Astoria, but as true Oregonians, we appreciate where we’ve been. Yet, as we stare across our peaks, down our trails, and into our wine glasses, we’re ever curious about where we’re headed next. As far as the eye can see, there’s promise in those vineyards.
Embracing New Wine Frontiers in Southern Oregon and Beyond
Now, it’s been said that what grows together goes together, and nowhere is this truer than in Oregon. As much as we hold our pinot noir and chardonnay close to our hearts there’s an exciting medley of new varietals dotting the landscape. So stash your rain boots, let’s wade beyond the Willamette and into Southern Oregon’s wine country.
Southern Oregon, from the ruggedly stunning Illinois Valley to the sun-kissed Applegate, is wooing a new generation of wine enthusiasts with grapes like tempranillo, viognier, and albariño. You may have enjoyed a tempranillo at DANCIN Vineyards against the backdrop of Table Rocks, or sipped the refreshing albariño at Troon Vineyard, while reveling in the charming Applegate setting.
It’s not just Southern Oregon that’s embracing new frontiers in wine production. The Gorge, Columbia Valley, and Eastern Oregon are also joining in on the sipping soiree. At Analemma Wines, you can enjoy a bottle of the Spanish grape mencia, with a stunning panorama of Mount Hood. At Bells Up Winery, nestled in Newberg, you can sip a delightful glass of Seyval Blanc, a grape more traditionally found in cooler climate zones. Subtle yet vibrant, it encapsulates the eclectic spirit of our beloved Oregon.
The Quirky Realities of Oregon Wine Life
Just like how spotting Bigfoot near Mt. Hood or finding the perfect Marionberry pie is part of the unique tapestry of Oregon, so is wine. Sure, we’ve got rain. We’ve got fog. And we’ve got clouds. But wouldn’t you agree that uncertainty makes the prize all the sweeter? So what if we have to wrap up snugly and trudge through muddy vineyards! Each grape tells a story of perseverance, reflecting the hardy spirit of Oregonians and resulting in some of the most tantalizing wines.
Our wine has always been a celebration of our land, a chorus of berry and mushroom, with notes of fir and storm, of cool evening fog rolling in through the coastal range, and of the warm sun peeking out from behind the Cascade mountain cap. Whether you’re a longtime local or a visitor from afar, Oregon wine sings of the magic and mystery of our treasured state.
The Future, Poured into a Glass
So next time you’re driving along Highway 99W, take the time to detour onto some beautiful back roads. Make a pit stop at Carlton, unwrap a sandwich from the beloved Carlton Bakery, and enjoy it with a glass of estate pinot gris from Troon Vineyard. Or meander out to Hood River fruit loop, taste the innovation and tradition at Analemma Wines. Savour the moment, for you are tasting the future of Oregon wine, in all its emerging varieties and regions.
As we continue to cultivate and nurture diverse grapes, we are capturing the very essence of who we are in our wines – pioneers, explorers, innovators. And just like sunsets over Crater Lake or a clear day view of Mount Jefferson, there’s always an unexpected surprise in store, offering sheer delight – quintessentially Oregon! So here’s to the future of our beautiful, tumultuous, and ever-inspiring Oregon wine. From Rogue Valley to Willamette, Columbia Gorge to Umpqua, our state’s wine character is as intoxicatingly vast as its landscapes. Let’s continue to explore the beauty of this wine frontier, one swirl, sniff, and sip at a time.