Uncovering America's best kept wine secrets
By the Numbers
23
Oregon has 23 AVAs (and counting).
From foggy valleys to high desert hills, Oregon’s AVAs cover more ground, and more weird microclimates, than you’d expect. Terroir nerds, rejoice!
100,000+
Small but mighty, Oregon ranks fourth in total number of wineries in the U.S., with over 100,000. Most of them are boutique, family-run, and pouring their heart into every bottle.
52%
Oregon walks the talk. Over half its vineyards (52%) are certified sustainable, making it one of the greenest wine regions in the country.
If These Vines Could Talk
The Grapes
Pinot Noir
Oregon’s flagship grape is light-bodied, earthy, and elegant, often showing red cherry, cranberry, and forest floor notes. The Willamette Valley, with its cool climate and volcanic soils, is the epicenter of high-quality Pinot in the U.S. It makes up nearly 60% of all wine grape production in the state.
Pinot Gris
Dry, crisp, and citrusy with notes of pear and melon, Oregon Pinot Gris is clean and refreshing without leaning sweet. It’s the state's most planted white grape and often a go-to for those who want something light but not boring. Most of it comes from the Willamette Valley.
Chardonnay
Oregon Chardonnay is more restrained and acid-driven than its California cousin. Think lemon peel, green apple, and subtle oak. Willamette Valley producers have been refining their Chardonnay styles since the early 2000s, and today, many are turning out wines that rival top-tier Burgundy.
Riesling
Often dry or off-dry, Oregon Riesling is floral and citrusy with bright acidity and a mineral edge. While it’s not widely planted, it thrives in cooler parts of the Willamette and Umpqua Valleys. A solid choice for acid lovers and fans of aromatic whites.
Syrah
Grown mostly in southern Oregon’s Rogue and Applegate Valleys, Syrah here is riper and fuller than in the north but still leans savory. Expect black fruit, pepper, and a hint of smoked meat. It’s a rising star in Oregon’s warmer AVAs.
Tempranillo
Southern Oregon has become a surprising home for Tempranillo, producing medium-bodied reds with plum, leather, and spice. It's one of the few U.S. regions where this Spanish grape has really caught on. Rogue and Umpqua Valleys are leading the charge.
Gamay
A cult favorite in Oregon, Gamay is juicy, fresh, and vibrant. Think cranberry, strawberry, and crushed rock. It’s often compared to Beaujolais but with a Pacific Northwest twist. Limited plantings mostly in the Willamette Valley.
History
1847
First Grapes in Oregon
Henderson Luelling, a Quaker nurseryman and early horticultural pioneer, brings grapevines along the Oregon Trail and plants them in the Willamette Valley.
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1850s–1900s
Early Winemaking Efforts
Small vineyards and wineries appear across the state, but fruit and berry wines dominate.
1919–1933
Prohibition Shuts It Down
Oregon’s early wine industry is wiped out. Many vineyards are abandoned or replanted with other crops.
1961
Post-Prohibition Rebirth
Richard Sommer establishes HillCrest Winery in the Umpqua Valley, planting Vitis vinifera and becoming Oregon's first post-Prohibition commercial vinifera producer.
1965
The Pinot Pioneers
David Lett, a young winemaker from California often called "Papa Pinot," plants Pinot Noir in the Willamette Valley, founding Eyrie Vineyards and proving Oregon’s cool climate can rival Burgundy.
1979
Pinot Goes Global
Eyrie’s Pinot Noir places in a top-tier Burgundy tasting in Paris. Oregon gains international respect.
1980s
AVAs and Industry Growth
Willamette Valley AVA is established (1984); other AVAs follow as new producers enter the scene.
1990s–2000s
Pinot Takes the Spotlight
Oregon becomes synonymous with Pinot Noir, and production expands into Umpqua, Rogue, and Columbia Gorge.
2000s
Sustainability Takes Root
Oregon wineries lead the U.S. in organic, biodynamic, and LIVE-certified practices, focusing on eliminating synthetic chemicals, preserving biodiversity, conserving water, and using renewable energy whenever possible.
2010s
Diversity in Grapes & Winemakers
Interest grows in Chardonnay, Gamay, Riesling, and sparkling wine; diversity in winemaking also begins to rise.
2020s
Climate & Collaboration Drive Change
Warmer temps push exploration into new regions and grapes; collaborations between small producers fuel innovation.