Walla Walla Valley Oregon initially found fame with world-renowned Willamette Valley Pinot Noir, but it’s worth noting that there are a handful of other wine-producing regions throughout the state that are worthy of attention. Located approximately 250 kilometres from Portland are the AVAs of Columbia Gorge, Columbia Valley and Walla Walla Valley (all of which cross the border with Washington), as well as The Rocks of Milton-Freewater. The Rocks, located on the Oregon side of the state boundary and famed for its soils, is a small region of just 120 hectares. Nested within the wider Walla Walla AVA, the Rocks sits on an old riverbed and is famed for its cobblestone soils made of basalt and reminiscent of the pudding stones found in the great vineyards of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Not surprisingly, Rhône varieties thrive here, with some of the country’s most coveted and scarce Syrah and Grenache wines made in the region (most notably, Cayuse). Willamette Valley Willamette Valley AVA is recognised as one of the premier wine-producing regions in the world. Established in 1983, it runs 240 kilometres north to south from the Columbia River through Salem to just outside Eugene and spans 97 kilometres east to west–making it Oregon’s largest AVA. To the west lies the Coast Range, which provides protection from cool Pacific breezes and rain. To the east lie the Cascade Mountains, shielding it from the more desert-like climate of eastern Oregon, and the Willamette River runs through the valley's centre. Most of the vineyards lie on the slopes of the Coast Range, facing east. On the valley floor, the soils are rich, fertile and alluvial, making them largely unsuitable for premium wine production. Therefore, most vineyards are planted at 60 metres elevation or higher, where the soils are volcanic, marine-sedimentary or wind-blown loess. The Willamette Valley has cool, wet winters, while summers are generally warm and dry, with temperatures moderated, in varying degrees, by the cooling effects of the Pacific. During the growing season, the region enjoys a wide diurnal range with warm days, cool nights and high sunshine hours—factors pivotal for even ripening, long, slow flavour development and retention of natural acidities. These moderate maritime conditions make the Willamette Valley ideal for cool-climate varieties such as Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Riesling and Gamay, to name but a few. Dundee Hills Dundee Hills is a sub-AVA of the Willamette Valley, located 45 kilometres southwest of Portland and 60 kilometres inland from the Pacific Ocean. The surface area of the AVA is 5,100 hectares, with just 900 of those planted to vines. Its appellation status was recognised in 2004, but it was in these hills that David Lett (founder of The Eyrie Vineyards) planted the first Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris vines in the Willamette Valley in 1966. Conditions in this nested AVA can be a touch warmer as it is nestled between the Coastal Mountain Range and the Chehalem Mountains, which provide protection from the cooling effects of the ocean winds and fog. Most of the AVA lies with an easterly aspect, providing early-morning sun exposure and contributing to the wide diurnal range. Elevations in the Dundee Hills can range from 60 metres to 325 metres. Dundee Hills is home to the famous red Jory soils, which are rich in volcanic basalt and prized for their excellent drainage capabilities. The region has a well-established reputation for high-quality Pinot Noir. Though vintage conditions vary, you can expect a typical style of bright, red-fruited, earthy Pinot Noir with silky, elegant structures. Tualatin Hills Tualatin Hills gained AVA status in 2020. It is located in the north-western corner of the valley, west of Portland, at the eastern edge of the Coast Range and northwest of the Chehalem Mountains. The AVA land mass covers over 55,000 hectares, but just 395 of those are planted to vines. Elevations can range from 60 metres to 310 metres, and this elevation, along with the AVA’s proximity to the Coast Range, means the Pacific rainfall and winds can influence Tualatin Hills. Ripening tends to be later than other northern AVAs, and most of the vineyards are located near forests, which can aid in tempering the ocean influence, as well as providing shade. Tualatin Hills AVA is particularly noteworthy for its Laurelwood soils, consisting of fine silty loess over an ancient basalt bedrock formed by the erosion of basaltic and volcanic rocks by glaciers during the last ice age. The typical Pinot Noir style from the Tualatin Hills can be more structured in style—higher in tannin and acidity—than its more southerly counterparts. Yamhill-Carlton The Yamhill-Carlton region gained AVA status in 2005 and is located 56 kilometres southwest of Portland and 64 kilometres east of the Pacific Ocean. It spans 23,500 hectares, with just 970 of those planted to vines. To the west, it’s bordered by the Coast Range; to the north are the Chehalem Mountains; to the west lie the Dundee Hills, buffering the region from more extreme weather conditions and providing warm temperatures for the growing season. This region has the earliest harvest dates in Willamette Valley and yields Pinot Noirs of power, depth and spice. The Yamhill-Carlton AVA boasts the oldest soil material in the valley: Willakenzie Series. It comprises coarse-grained, ancient marine sediments that provide excellent drainage. McMinnville McMinnville AVA, established in 2005, sits in the foothills of the Coast Range in the Willamette Valley, just west of the city of the same name and 65 kilometres southwest of Portland. It’s planted to 300 hectares of vines on predominantly marine and volcanic soils. Extending west of the city to the foothills of the mountains is a 600-metre bedrock formation (Nestucca Formation) of weathered sedimentary and volcanic soils atop marine bedrock. This is the most distinctive feature of the AVA. It’s one of the coolest and driest of the AVAs, and most vineyards sit at high elevations (300m or so). Winds from the Van Duzer corridor have a cooling effect on the more southerly sites. The Eyrie Vineyards winery is located here, and the annual International Pinot Noir Celebration is also held in this AVA. Ribbon Ridge Ribbon Ridge is a nested AVA in the Chehalem Mountains AVA and was established in 2005. It’s a 16-kilometre squared ridge located 35 kilometres southwest of Portland and 65 kilometres east of the Pacific Ocean and sits 200 metres above the valley floor. There are 260 hectares under vine. The soils are predominantly Willakenzie (sedimentary) and are deep, very well-drained and low in fertility. It lies lower than many surrounding AVAs, so it is slightly warmer with lower rainfall. Chehalem Mountains Chehalem Mountains AVA is within the broader Willamette Valley AVA and was recognised in 2006. It lies 30 kilometres southwest of Portland and 70 kilometres east of the Pacific Ocean. There are just over 1000 hectares under vine. Soils are marine, volcanic, and loess; elevations range from 60 to 300 metres. Chehalem Mountains consists of several hills and ridges and is just shy of 500 metres high at its tallest point. Thanks to the mountainous location, vineyards within this AVA enjoy protection from the southerly Columbia Gorge winds. Eola Amity Hills Northwest of Salem lies Eola-Amity Hills AVA, established in 2006. There are just over 3000 hectares under vine. The majority of the vineyards lie at 75 to 220 metres. The AVA comprises a main north-south running ridge with several east-west running ridges on either side. The AVA is due east of the Van Duzer Corridor, allowing the cool Pacific air to flow through the AVA and providing a wide diurnal range. Soils are predominantly volcanic basalt and marine, with some heavier alluvial presence in the lower-lying areas. Van Duzer Corridor Named after a gap in the Coast Range that allows winds from the Pacific to infiltrate the area, this AVA was recognised in 2019. It lies 80 kilometres southwest of Portland and 65 kilometres east of the Pacific Ocean. Located immediately east of the gap, the aspect provides cooling conditions, a wide diurnal range and a long growing season for the AVA. The soils are mainly marine sedimentary, and total land under vine is just over 400 hectares. Laurelwood District Nested within the Chehalem Mountains, Laurelwood District AVA is one of Oregon's newest, recognised only in 2020. The distinctive Laurelwood soils (basalt base with loess top layer) that give the AVA its name can be found on the mountain range's east- and north-facing slopes. The end of this soil also marks the boundary of the AVA. It’s home to the highest elevation in the valley (485 metres) and 390 hectares of vines. Southern Oregon Southern Oregon AVA is home to the earliest plantings in the state, although the region’s produce is largely consumed locally. Nested AVAs include Umpqua Valley, Elkton, Rogue Valley, Applegate Valley and Red Hills Douglas County. This part of Oregon is also perfect for growing hops and supports a thriving artisanal beer industry.