Description of Oregon’s internationally recognized wine region producing world-class Pinot Noir among other varietals

Daniel Hoey
Publisher, All About The Grape

The Willamette Valley, Oregon's leading wine region, has two-thirds of the state's wineries and vineyards and is home to nearly 300 wineries over the six American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) comprising the Willamette Valley AVA – Chehalem Mountains, Dundee Hills, Eola-Amity Hills, McMinnville, Ribbon Ridge and Yamhill Carlton.  On a recent trip to the Yadkin Valley AVA I interviewed Murphy Moore, winemaker at Shelton Vineyards, who began her career in the Willamette Valley; she corrected my pronunciation and informed me that it is “Will-AM-ette”, not “WILL-amette.”

The largest concentration of wineries is found west of the Willamette River, on the slopes of the Coast Range, where the climate is protected from Pacific storms in the west.  To the east are the Cascade Mountains, to the south are the Calapooya Mountains, and to the north is the Columbia River.  Nestled thus, the Willamette Valley’s cool climate is conducive to a long, gentle growing season, making it ideal for growing Willamette’s signature wine, Pinot Noir.   Other varietals successfully grown in the valley include Pinot Gris, Riesling and Chardonnay.

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