Willamette Valley AVA: Home to World-Renowned Wines
QUICK AVA FACTS:
Pronounced: “wi-LAM-it”
Established: 1983
Total Area: 3,438,000 acres
Planted Area: 27,202 acres
Most common grape varieties: Pinot noir, Pinot gris, Chardonnay, Riesling
Soils: Marine sedimentary, volcanic, loess
Sub-AVAs: Willamette Valley has 11 nested appellations: Chehalem Mountains; Dundee Hills; Eola-Amity Hills; Laurelwood District; Lower Long Tom; McMinnville; Mount Pisgah, Polk County; Ribbon Ridge; Tualatin Hills; Van Duzer Corridor; and Yamhill-Carlton.
Image Credit: https://www.willamettewines.com
Sitting on the same latitude as some of the great wine regions of the world (Bordeaux, Burgundy), the Willamette Valley AVA stretches 120 miles from north of Portland to south of Eugene.
Getting the Lay of the Land:
The largest AVA in Oregon (accounting for 2/3 of the wine produced in the state), the valley follows the path of the Willamette River, a tributary of the larger Columbia River that marks Oregon’s northern border with Washington. Framing the valley are two mountain ranges: the Cascade Mountain Range to the East and the Oregon Coast Range on the western edge that separates Willamette Valley from the Pacific Ocean.
Long and broad, the valley at its widest point spans 60 miles. The Coast Range Mountains on the west protect the valley from the cold Pacific Ocean air and coastal rainstorms while the Cascade Range on the east protects against the opposite extreme: the dry, desert-like climate of Eastern Oregon.
These protective mountain “shields” allow the valley to enjoy long, gentle wine-growing seasons with sunny days and cooler nights to protect the acidity of the grapes — conditions that are perfect for the notoriously fickle Pinot Noir grape.
11 Nested Appellations Showcase the Varied Terroir:
Because the Willamette Valley is a vast and varied appellation, with many different terroirs, the AVA has been subdivided into eleven nested appellations to date: Chehalem Mountains; Dundee Hills; Eola-Amity Hills; Laurelwood District; Lower Long Tom; McMinnville; Mount Pisgah, Polk County, Oregon; Ribbon Ridge; Tualatin Hills; Van Duzer Corridor and Yamhill-Carlton.
Flagship Varietal – Pinot Noir:
Willamette Valley in world-renowned for its Pinot Noir (with accounts for approx. 3/4 of the grapes planted), but its wineries also produce Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay, and Riesling as well as some other less common varieties.
THE SOIL:
Most of the region’s vineyards are located on foothills or in the hills of the valley, where the soils are less fertile. The valley floor soils are too rich and fertile for vines to thrive. The hills (formed as a result of tectonic shifts and volcanic activity) resulted in red, iron-rich soils known as Jory, a type so distinctive to the Willamette Valley that it has become Oregon’s official state soil.
THE CLIMATE:
Although the Coast Range blocks much of Pacific Ocean’s influence, the climate is still considered maritime — with scattered ocean breezes seeping through. With rain falling mostly in the winter months, the valley’s long, dry summer months with warm summer days and cool evenings allow the vines and grapes to thrive.
Explore Our Willamette Valley Wines & Wineries
In 2015, while still the winemaker at Beaux Freres, Grant Coulter & wife Renée Saint-Amour poured their nest egg into the first 450 cases of Hundred Suns Wine. Since then, they’ve grown through experience and grit (the two of them still manage all aspects of the winery). In the cellar, high vigilance allows for low intervention, and an understanding of how things work allows for the deeper experimentation that makes their wines distinct. Their goal still remains for the wines to be classically delicious with a little something special you can’t put your finger on.
From Pulitzer Prize winning couple, Nick Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn: Nestled in Yamhill’s rolling hills, Kristof Farms has been their home since 1971. They have converted some 25 acres of their beloved family heritage to focus on creating beautiful wine and cider.
Founded by NBA pro CJ McCollum and his wife, Elise, McCollum Heritage 91 reflects their passion for wine, family, and the Willamette Valley. Inspired by CJ’s discovery of Oregon Pinot Noir early in his NBA playing career, the McCollums are committed to producing limited-production Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Rosé that capture the elegance and purity of the region. With a focus on inclusivity and authenticity, McCollum Heritage 91 is
dedicated to producing wines that honor their Oregon roots while inviting a broad audience to share in the experience.
Sequitur is the winery of Michael Etzel (founding partner of Beaux Freres) and his wife Carey Critchlow from their 12 acre Estate Vineyard adjacent to Beaux Freres’ Upper Terrace in the Ribbon Ridge AVA.
Wine. Skiing. Troubblé. This epic tale begins with two friends, both passionate about good wine and deep powder, who met while chasing the best wine and the most awesome snow. Soon after, LDT Wine Co (formerly
Le Doubblé Troubblé), twice the trouble and twice the fun, was born. Located in the Columbia River Gorge, they specialize in single vineyard wines from the Willamette Valley and the Columbia Gorge.
Featured Wine:
LDT Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley AVA
As you take a sip, picture larkspur petals and the tang of crab-apple beckoning you forth. And oh, the journey continues on your palate, with notes of cranberry and mulberry weaving a tapestry of flavor.
