The Future is Bright for Oregon Wine
Venture off Oregon’s often-traversed Interstate 5 and you’ll soon find yourself surrounded by awe-stirring landscapes, imbued with that boundless, wild Oregon beauty. On those wonderfully winding backroads and byways, in the shadow of the towering Cascade Range or tucked into the gentle folds of the Willamette Valley’s verdant quilt, you’ll discover the beating heart of the Beaver State – our vibrant and ever-evolving wine industry.
New Varietals Coming to the Fore
With a climate famously suited to the finicky Pinot Noir grape, Oregon has long been recognized as a world-class wine region, and Pinot, indisputably, our signature varietal. But as we look forward into the misty Oregon horizon, lined majestically with the Douglas Firs that are as much a part of our story as the wine, in the radiant dawn of the state’s viticulture future, new grape varieties are beginning to make waves.
Gamay, an under-the-radar grape variety best known for its Beaujolais wines in France, is just one example. Emerson Vineyards in Monmouth, Bjornson Vineyard near the bustling community hub of Studio 503 in Salem, and Division Winemaking Company right here in hip and earthy Portland are crafting stunning expressions of Gamay that are making local and visiting wine enthusiasts take note.
In Southern Oregon’s sun-soaked Rogue Valley, wine growers are pushing the boundaries even farther. You can find Spanish Tempranillo deepening under those blue, clear skies at Abacela Vineyard and the Italian heritage grape, Vermentino, growing happily under the loving care of folks at Quady North. These varietals echo the adventurous spirit of Oregon, showing that we’re not afraid to shake things up a bit, much like when we elect a “slugg queen” every summer at the Eugene Celebration – a tradition as quirky and endearing as the state itself.
Enter the Emerging Regions
While the Willamette Valley might hold the title of Oregon’s premier wine-growing region, often compared to France’s Burgundy for its grape-growing prowess, there’s a wild, uncharted spirit of discovery that calls Oregonians to blaze their own trail. And blazing a trail is precisely what’s happening in regions like the Columbia Gorge and Oregon’s “South Coast.”
The Columbia Gorge, stretching from the windsurfing capital of Hood River to The Dalles, where Oregon Trail pioneers ended their journey, is turning heads in the world of winemaking. Just take a peek at the vibrant Albariño offerings from Stave & Stone Wine Estates or the playful Gewürztraminers from Analemma Wines.
“South Coast” is a term you may not know, unless you’re an Oregon local with a proclivity for coastal road trips. Roughly defined as the region extending from the Coquille River in Bandon out to the mighty Pacific, the South Coast is beginning to flirt playfully with viticulture. At the moment, wineries such as the aptly named Oregon Coast Winery in Gold Beach are leading the way, with Plant Oregon nursery in Talent supplying many an eager amateur vintner with grapevines.
Infusing Oregon Spirit Into Every Sip
Just as the Tillamook Cheese Factory churns out delectable cheddar with love and care or as Powell’s Books in Portland houses stories within its labyrinthine shelves, Oregon wine embodies the essence of this place: innovative, slightly eccentric and filled with hardy, welcoming individuals.
As we look to the future of Oregon’s wine industry, keeping a keen eye for the next emerging grape varietal or the newest budding wine region, it’s clear that the future is as bright as a sunny day after a season of our trademark Oregon rain. Oregon’s winemakers stand ready to embrace the world, armed with a hearty “Cheers!” or a friendly “Bottoms up!” and a glass of something indescribably beautiful, just waiting to be discovered.
So, as the locals would say, “Stay awhile, and have another glass!” Whether it’s a previously unknown grape variety that hits the spot or a new vineyard tucked into an awe-inspiring corner of our fair state, there’s always a new tale to tell, a new nose to tantalize, a new flavor to savor in Oregon’s wine country. Because, here in Oregon, we don’t just make wine, we live it!