Willamette Valley AVA

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The climate of Willamette Valley is mild year-round. Winters are typically cool and wet, summers are dry and warm; heat above {{convert|90|°F|°C|0}} only occurs 5 to 15 days per year, and the temperature drops below {{convert|0|°F|°C|0}} once every 25 years. Most rainfall occurs in the late autumn, winter, and early spring, when temperatures are the coldest. The valley gets relatively little snow ({{convert|5|in|cm|0}} to {{convert|10|in|cm|0}}) per year.{{cite web |url=http://www.ocs.orst.edu/pub_ftp/reports/zone/Zone_2_narrative.html |website=Oregon State University|title=Oregon Climate Zone Summary: Zone 2 - The Willamette Valley|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080202054107/http://www.ocs.orst.edu:80/pub_ftp/reports/zone/Zone_2_narrative.html |archive-date=2008-02-02}} The hardiness zone is mostly 8b.{{cite web |title=Plant Hardiness Zone |url=https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/# |website=United States Department of Agriculture}}

Not all portions of the Willamette Valley are suitable for vineyards, however, and the largest concentration of wineries is found west of the Willamette River, on the leeward slopes of the Coast Range, or among the numerous river and stream valleys created by Willamette River tributaries. By far, the largest concentration of wineries is in Yamhill County.{{cite web|url=http://www.winesnw.com/nwillmap.html|title=North Willamette Valley Wineries Overview Map |work=Wines Northwest|format=Oregon's Willamette Valley Wine Country}}

There are ten American Viticultural Areas within the Willamette Valley AVA. These smaller AVAs recognize regions within the larger Willamette Valley AVA that have distinctive climate, soil, elevation, or other physical features that make them noteworthy for wine production.

{{main article|Chehalem Mountains AVA}}

The Chehalem Mountains AVA, established in 2006, stretches {{convert|20|mi|km|0}} from Wilsonville in the southeast to Forest Grove in the northwest. The Chehalem Mountains includes Ribbon Ridge, Parrett Mountain, and Bald Peak. The petition process for the creation of the AVA began in 2001 and was led by David Adelsheim of [https://www.adelsheim.com Adelsheim Vineyard].{{cite web |website=Wines Northwest|url=http://www.winesnw.com/news_reviews/newsandreviews_chehalemAVA.htm|title=Chehalem Mountains Becomes Oregon's Fifteenth American Viticultural Area|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517100138/http://www.winesnw.com/news_reviews/newsandreviews_chehalemAVA.htm|archive-date=2008-05-17|date=December 27, 2006}} It contains two sub-regions, Laurelwood District AVA and Ribbon Ridge AVA.

{{main article|Dundee Hills AVA}}

Dundee Hills AVA lies in the hills northwest of Dundee encompassing about {{convert|6940|acre|sqmi|0}} cultivating {{convert|1300|acre|ha|0}} of grapes. Over 25 wineries and independent vineyards in this region produce over 44,000 cases of wine. The area is particularly noted for its Pinot noir; several wineries in the AVA have won international recognition for their wines.{{cite journal |url=https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2004-11-30/pdf/04-26330.pdf|title=Establishment of the Dundee Hills Viticultural Area (2002R–218P)| journal=Federal Register |date=2004-11-30 |publisher=Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), Treasury | volume=69|issue=229| pages=69524-69527 |format= 27 CFR Part 9 [TTB T.D.–18; Re: Notice No. 14] RIN: 1513–AA50 Final Rule | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210323025602/https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2004-11-30/pdf/04-26330.pdf |archive-date=2021-03-23|url-status=live}}{{PD-notice}}{{cite web |url=http://www.dundeehills.org/presskit.htm |title=Dundee Hills Winegrowers Association Brings Further Recognition to Oregon ’s Premier Wine Region | work=Dundee Hills Winegrowers Association | format=Media Press Kit| date=2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090412020146/https://dundeehills.org/presskit.htm |archive-date=2009-04-12}}

{{main article|Eola-Amity Hills AVA}}

The Eola-Amity Hills AVA stretches from the town of Amity in the north to Salem in the south within Polk and Yamhill Counties. The hills cover an area west of the Willamette River approximately {{convert|15|mi|km|0}} long by {{convert|6|mi|km|0}} wide. The Eola-Amity Hills area benefits from steady winds off the Pacific Ocean that reach the Willamette Valley through the Van Duzer corridor, a gap in the Oregon Coast Range, moderating the summer temperatures. The name Eola is a tribute to the windy conditions in the area, and is derived from Aeolus, the Greek god of wind.{{cite news |author1=Purdue, Andy|date=2006-06-15 | url=http://www.winepressnw.com/features/story/7979592p-7872921c.html |title=Introducing the Eola-Amity Hills|work=Wine Press Northwest|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080303035908/https://www.winepressnw.com/features/story/7979592p-7872921c.html |archive-date=2008-03-03 |access-date=January 29, 2009}}

{{main article|Laurelwood District AVA}}

The Laurelwood District AVA is located west of the city of Portland and lies entirely within the Willamette Valley and Chehalem Mountains AVAs since it was established by the TTB in May 2020. It covers approximately {{convert|33600| acres|ha|0}} and contains 25 wineries and approximately 70 commercially-producing vineyards that cover a total of approximately {{convert|975|acres|ha|0}}. The distinguishing feature of the Laurelwood District is the predominance of the Laurelwood soil series.{{cite journal |url= https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/06/03/2020-10919/establishment-of-the-tualatin-hills-and-laurelwood-district-viticultural-areas| title=Establishment of the Tualatin Hills and Laurelwood District Viticultural Areas | journal=Federal Register | publisher= Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), Treasury| date=2020-06-03 | format=27 CFR 9 [Docket No. TTB–2019–0003; T.D. TTB–160; Ref: Notice No. 181] RIN 1513–AC52 Final Rule | pages=34095–34100 | volume=85 |issue=107 }}{{PD-notice}}

{{main article|Lower Long Tom AVA}}

The Lower Long Tom AVA was established in 2021. It is located in the southern Willamette Valley in Lane and Benton Counties, near the towns of Junction City and Monroe. Its coverage is approximately {{convert|25000| acres|ha|0}} and contains 12 wineries and 24 commercially-producing vineyards that plant approximately {{convert|575|acres|ha|0}}. As of 2022, the Lower Long Tom is the only nested appellation located in the southern Willamette Valley AVA, in contrast to nine nested appellations in the north.{{cite web|last=Archer|first=LM|url= https://www.winebusiness.com/news/article/254085|website=Wine Business| title= Southern Willamette Valley Earns its First AVA |date=2021-12-12| access-date=2022-12-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221222045744/https://www.winebusiness.com/news/article/254085| archive-date=2022-12-22 | url-status=live}} The region is primarily known for its Pinot noir and Pinot gris.

{{main article|McMinnville AVA}}

The McMinnville AVA near McMinnville was established in 2005, in the hills to the southwest of McMinnville, roughly running from McMinnville to Sheridan. The AVA includes 14 wineries and {{convert|523|acre|ha|1}} of vineyards, and includes lands with elevations ranging from 200 to {{convert|1000|ft|m|-2}}.{{cite web|url=https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2005/01/18/05-912/establishment-of-the-mcminnville-viticultural-area-2002r-217p |title=Establishment of the McMinnville Viticultural Area (2002R-217P)|website=Federal Register |date=January 18, 2005 |publisher=Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), Treasury}}{{PD-notice}}{{cite web |url=http://www.willamettewines.com/avas.shtml |title=Willamette Valley AVAs |website=Willamette Valley Wineries|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060815120518/https://willamettewines.com/avas.shtml |archive-date=2006-08-15}}

{{main article|Mount Pisgah, Polk County, Oregon AVA}}

Mount Pisgah, Polk County, Oregon viticultural area surrounds the city and county seat of Dallas in Polk County. It was established on June 3, 2022 by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), Treasury as the state's 23rd and 11th appellation in the Willamette Valley. It encompasses approximately {{cvt|5850|acre|sqmi|0}} and contains 10 commercial vineyards cultivating about {{cvt|648|acre}} under vine with two wineries. The viticultural area surrounds Mount Pisgah ({{langx|he|פִּסְגָּה}}, pisgá: literally means "summit"), formed 65 million years ago as a sea floor volcano, covered by marine sediment and pushed up out of the ocean, among the hills of the Willamette Valley rising {{convert|260|to(-)|835|ft}} from the foothills to its peak. The long name was assigned to avoid confusion with another "Mount Pisgah" in a different county or state.{{cite journal |url=https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2022-06-03/pdf/2022-11715.pdf |title=Establishment of the Mount Pisgah, Polk County, Oregon Viticultural Area| journal=Federal Register |date=2022-06-03 |publisher=Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), Treasury | volume=87|issue=107 | pages=33638-33642 |format= 27 CFR Part 9 [Docket No. TTB–2020–0008; T.D. TTB–180; Ref: Notice No. 193] RIN 1513–AC58 Final Rule | archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20230417190313/https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2022-06-03/pdf/2022-11715.pdf | archive-date=2023-04-17 | url-status=live}}{{PD-notice}}{{cite web |url=http://www.willamettewines.com/avas.shtml |title=Willamette Valley AVAs |website=Willamette Valley Wineries|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060815120518/https://willamettewines.com/avas.shtml |archive-date=2006-08-15}}

{{main article|Ribbon Ridge AVA}}

The Ribbon Ridge AVA, between Newberg and Gaston, is a ridge containing uplift of ocean sediment. It lies at 45° 21' N, 123° 04' W, at the northwest end of the Chehalem Mountains. The name originates in the 19th century. The ridge is approximately {{convert|0.25|mi|km|2}} wide and {{convert|3.50|mi|km|2}} long, and is {{convert|3350|acre|ha|0}} in area, with {{convert|500|acre|ha}} planted on 20 vineyards. It is estimated that between {{convert|1000|acre|ha|0}} and {{convert|1400|acre|ha|0}} in the region is suitable for planting.{{cite web|url=http://www.ribbonridge.com/default.cfm?action=display&Essay_ID=138|title=Ribbon Ridge AVA |website=Ribbon Ridge Vineyard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060105095903/https://www.ribbonridge.com/default.cfm?action=display&Essay_ID=138 |archive-date=2006-01-05}}{{cite web|url=https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2005/06/01/05-10881/establishment-of-the-ribbon-ridge-viticultural-area-2002r-215p |title=Establishment of the Ribbon Ridge Viticultural Area (2002R-215P)|website=Federal Register |date=June 1, 2005|publisher=Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), Treasury}}{{PD-notice}}

{{main article|Tualatin Hills AVA}}

The Tualatin Hills AVA was established in May 2020 and is located in the upland hills of the Tualatin River watershed and encompasses elevations between {{convert|200 and 1000|ft|m|0}}. To the south and southeast are the Chehalem Mountains, which includes elevations of over {{convert|1000|ft|m|0}}, are considered to be a separate, distinct landform from the Tualatin Hills. The AVA is approximately {{convert|144000|acre|sqmi|0}} with 33 commercially-producing vineyards covering approximately {{convert|860.5|acre|ha|0}} and 21 wineries. The distinguishing features of Tualatin Hills are its soils, elevation and climate.

{{main article|Van Duzer Corridor AVA}}

Van Duzer Corridor is located in Polk County just west of Eola-Amity Hills AVA encompassing approximately {{cvt|59871|acre|sqmi|0}}. The AVA is known for its low elevations, gently rolling hills, cool breezes from the Pacific Ocean and soils which are primarily uplifted marine sedimentary loams and silts with alluvial overlay. The AVA was established in 2019.{{Cite web|url=https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2018/12/14/2018-27017/establishment-of-the-van-duzer-corridor-viticultural-area-and-clarification-of-the-eola-amity-hills|title=Establishment of the Van Duzer Corridor Viticultural Area and Clarification of the Eola-Amity Hills Viticultural Area Boundary Description |date=December 14, 2018|website=Federal Register|publisher=Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, Treasury |language=en}}{{PD-notice}}

{{main article|Yamhill-Carlton District AVA}}

The Yamhill-Carlton District AVA is located in the area surrounding the towns of Yamhill and Carlton. Only grapes grown in vineyards with elevations ranging from {{convert|200|ft|m|-2}} to {{convert|1000|ft|m|-2}} may be used to produce wines that bear the appellation name on their labels. The AVA includes over {{convert|1200|acre|ha|0}} of vineyard, and the region is in the rain shadow of the {{convert|3500|ft|m|-2}} Oregon Coast Range, a short distance to the west. The AVA was established in 2005.{{cite web|url=https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2004/12/09/04-27016/establishment-of-the-yamhill-carlton-district-viticultural-area-2002r-216p|title=Establishment of the Yamhill-Carlton District Viticultural Area (2002R-216P)|website=Federal Register |date=October 7, 2003|publisher=Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, Treasury}}{{PD-notice}}{{cite web|url=http://wine.appellationamerica.com/wine-region/Yamhill-Carlton-District.html|title=Yamhill Carlton District (AVA): Appellation Profile|website=Appellation America|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130908092013/http://wine.appellationamerica.com/wine-region/Yamhill-Carlton-District.html |archive-date=2013-09-08}}

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{{reflist}}

• [https://www.willamettewines.com/about-the-valley/ava-overviews/willamette-valley/ Willamette Valley AVA]
• [https://www.ttb.gov/AVA/ TTB AVA Map]

{{Oregon wine}}

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Category:American Viticultural Areas of Oregon

Category:Willamette Valley

Category:1984 establishments in Oregon