The Future Sipped Now: Oregon’s Emerging Wine Varieties
Oregon has long-established itself as a world-class wine region, renowned for the sultry Pinot Noir habituating our mist-veiled Willamette Valley. But where there is good wine, there is certainly an unstoppable drive for both innovation and rediscovery. With each harvest, Oregon winemakers are opening up palates towards both underappreciated varietals and undiscovered terroir. And us lucky locals, we get to taste the future now.
Diversity Among the Vines
There’s a mischievous twinkle in an Oregonian’s eye when they mention our state’s ability to produce quality Italian and Spanish varieties. It’s as if they’re letting you in on a secret – a secret quickly spreading across our hazy coastlines and pine-studded landscapes. It’s not solely Pinot Noir’s private party anymore; the guests of honor are changing and my, what a line-up it is.
One emerging star is Tempranillo. Travel to Southern Oregon’s Rogue and Umpqua valleys, and you’ll fall into a love affair with this Spanish variety. These little warmer spots, occasionally visited by those cheeky Chinook winds, allow Tempranillo to soak up the sun without losing that subtly of the late-ripening grape.
Over in the rock-star laden vineyards of the Columbia Gorge, Italian varieties are getting some spectacular fanfare. Ever try a sip of the complex, soul-soothing Nebbiolo? Like an Oregon sunset viewed from the top of Mount Hood, it’s a stunner.
New Kids on the Blocks
Our innovative Oregon winemakers aren’t stopping there, though. Vermentino, Aligote, and Tannat are just a few rated ‘less traditional’ that are cropping up across the vineyard landscapes. Then there’s the charmingly obscure Arneis, a lesser-known white variety originating from Italy’s Piedmont region, shining brightly in the soils over at Troon Vineyard in Grants Pass. A wine tasting venture to this local gem is truly worth the detour.
And let’s not neglect to appreciate the rise of old favorite—Chardonnay. Nestled in the cool-climate comfort of the Willamette Valley, this comeback kid is challenging California’s long-standing reign. A swirl of Chardonnay while taking a leisurely stroll through the verdant vineyards of Domaine Drouhin and Evening Land is like getting a kiss from an Oregon summer’s gentle breeze.
The Under-the-Radar Wine Regions
As for the terroir peeking through the Oregon clouds, there are definitely regions to keep your eyes on. The burgeoning wine scene in the Columbia Gorge, situated amid the majestic cliffs and whimsical waterfalls, is proving to be formidable. Walla Walla, too, is gaining recognition; it’s an area not just made famous by its sweet onions anymore.
Being “The Beaver State”, we Oregonians adore our undulating landscapes – and our wine. Hence the industry’s increasing interest in the volcanic soils and varied terrain of the Elkton, Applegate, and Chehalem Mountains AVA. The diversity of these little pockets of terroir remind us of the crowds at Voodoo Doughnut, each distinctive and appealing in its own way.
Embracing the Future
It is clear, the future of Oregon wine will keep embracing diversity, innovation, and, in true Oregon style, resilience. Admire we do the classics, but oh what genuine heart fluttering excitement the emerging varietals induce. So, next time you’re at your favorite local haunt, like Bar Norman in Portland or Thistle in McMinnville, give these emerging wine varieties a whirl.
As steadfast trailblazers in sustainability, it’s not just evolving varieties and locations that the future holds for Oregon wine. The industry’s commitment to sustainable practices and organic growing ensures we’ll be wrapped in environmental goodness, like a cozy Pendleton woolen blanket on a frosty Oregon morning.
Every Sip, a Journey
You see, every sip of an Oregon wine uncorks a journey. A journey across the waves of the Pacific, through Douglas Fir forests, over sun-dappled vineyards, and into the heart of a state deeply committed to nurturing both good wine and good earth.
Whether it’s that neglected Astoria crab shack you keep meaning to revisit or your favorite Portland food cart serving inventive comfort food, try pairing a glass of emerging Oregon wine the next time. It’s not just tasting the present; it’s embracing the future of Oregon wine scene, one sip at a time.