The Rising Star: Oregon Wines
Known for its majestic mountains, lush rainforest, and the grandeur of the Columbia River Gorge, Oregon is also home to one of America’s notable wine regions. But this isn’t news to us Oregonians. We’ve been savoring Oregon wines with our meals, enjoying it while cozied up to a warm fire on a drizzly evening or celebrating our joys and triumphs for years.
A Winemaking Tradition
While California might, quite understandably, dominate the American wine conversation, the Beaver State benefits from a cooler climate and diverse soil conditions that bless it with the capacity to produce a stellar assortment of wines. Our cherished Willamette Valley, with its loamy soils replete with sedimentary and volcanic nutrients, has been an esteemed producer of Pinot Noir for decades. However, the world of Oregon wine is evolving, and exciting changes are afoot.
The Future: Emerging Varieties
To quote an Owyhee River guide on their raft, “Hold onto your oars, exciting rapids ahead!” The future of Oregon wine is being shaped by winemakers who are getting adventurous, diversifying their vineyards, and planting new grape varieties.
Recently, Tempranillo, Albariño, and Vermentino have been stirring up excitement. However, as anyone from Ashland to Astoria will tell you, nothing gets Oregonians more enthusiastic than a good ol’ Syrah. These Syrah grapes, nurtured under the steady Oregon sky and basking in the tender, summer sun, are becoming the talk of the town.
The brave and innovative winemaking spirit is blooming all across our beloved state. Oregon’s Rogue Valley, with its warmer clime compared to most wine-growing regions of Oregon, has lately seen the cultivation of surprising grapes, unique to the area.
Emerging Regions: Going Beyond the Willamette Valley
Undeniably, the heart of Oregon’s winemaking lies within the fertile expanses of the rain-kissed Willamette Valley, but as Highway 101 travelers and McKenzie River fly-fishers know, there’s a whole lot of Oregon beyond that. Today, wine enthusiasts and producers are starting to look beyond the traditional and into the yet-to-be-explored wine territories of the state.
The cascade foothills, stretching their green fingers down to the edge of Salem, are fast becoming one of the most sought-after wine territories in Oregon. Few things can beat savoring Oregon’s emerging Gewurztraminers while having a panoramic view of Opal Creek Wilderness.
From the sun-touched valleys of Southern Oregon, to the shadowy hills of the Columbia Gorge, new producers are staking their claim, keen to infuse the Oregon wine scene with their unique tastes and techniques.
Quirky Oregon Spirit and the Wine
Oregon, with its vibrant, verdant landscapes and affable, yet quirky, character, naturally lends itself to a state of innovative wine producers. Just like how we Oregonians love to say, “We don’t tan here, we rust”, we are proud of how our unpredictable climate shapes our eclectic range of wines.
Just drop by the bustling wineries of Elkton, and you will hear tales spun around a glass of wine. These stories hum of Oregonian roots, earthy flavors, and a never-ending quest to experiment—all tempered by a delicate balance of honoring tradition while reimagining the future.
In Oregon, the soil is rich, the rain is plenty, and the sun — when it decides to show up — is glorious. All these elements, when combined with our quirky Oregon spirit and love for a rich palate, promise an exciting future for Oregon wine.
Conclusion: The Toast to Future
As secrets about Oregon’s thrilling emerging varieties and regions leak out to the world beyond, remember this: our Cornucopia of grapes isn’t just fed by fertile soils and abundant rainfall, but equally by the tenacity and innovation of the Oregonian spirit.
So, let’s make a toast to the future of Oregon wine with a glass filled with one of our exceptional emerging varieties, as we gaze upon the setting sun gently kissing Mount Hood. Let’s celebrate the phrases yet-to-be-spoken, the toasts yet-to-be-made, and the wines yet-to-be-tasted. We are just beginning to see the dawn of this exciting new era.