Oregon

Just like Washington State, its counterpart to the north, grapes that are grown in the state of Oregon benefit from long summer days.  Northern and Southern Oregon have very different weather conditions.  Northern Oregon experiences cool temperatures, while Southern Oregon is much warmer and dryer. 

Oregon has over 350 wineries and 15,000 acres of vineyards.  Oregon has 16 wine growing regions, with the highest quality wines coming from Willamette Valley, Rogue Valley and Umpqua Valley.

Willamette Valley produces the best wine in Oregon.  Spanning over 100 miles, it is Oregon's largest wine region.  Located in Northern Oregon, the cool temperatures, long summer days, and Pacific Ocean breezes help produce some of the finest Pinot Noir in the world.  In addition to outstanding Pinot Noir, the region also produces wonderful Chardonnay and Pinot Gris.

Rogue Valley is located in Southern Oregon and although it covers a large area, contains only about 20 wineries and 1100 acres of vines.  The Rogue Valley produces very good Cabernet Sauvignon, Gewürztraminer, Merlot, Pinot Gris, Riesling and Syrah.  Within the Rogue Valley lies the sub-region Applegate Valley.  Applegate Valley produces the highest quality wines within the Rougue Valley region.

Umpqua Valley is located between the Willamette Valley and Rogue Valley which means it experiences temperatures that fall between the two.  The region is located between the Coastal Mountain Range on the west and the Cascade Mountains on the east, as a result, the soil conditions from winery to winery can drastically vary.  The region does produce very good wine, most noticeable is Pinot Noir, as well as Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Pinot Gris.