Oregon wine
[4] But Pinot Noir commands the high end with the top three growers averaging $5,824 per short ton in 2022, versus Chardonnay's $4,114.
It is estimated that enotourism contributed USD $207.5 million to the state economy in 2013[6] excluding sales at wineries and tasting rooms.
As in other states, the Oregon wine industry lay dormant for thirty years after Prohibition was repealed.
[10][11] The Oregon wine industry started to rebuild in the 1960s, when California winemakers opened several vineyards in the state.
[12] This included the planting of Pinot noir grapes in the Willamette Valley, a region long thought too cold to be suitable for viticulture.
The state's land-use laws had prevented rural hillsides from being turned into housing tracts, preserving a significant amount of land suitable for vineyards.
[10][11] In the early 1990s, the wine industry was threatened by a Phylloxera infestation in the state, but winemakers quickly turned to the use of resistant rootstocks to prevent any serious damage.
The state legislature enacted several new laws designed to promote winemaking and wine distribution.
The state found a newfound focus on "green" winemaking, leading the global wine industry into more environmentally friendly practices.
Historically, V. vinifera based wines produced in smaller quantities include Arneis, Baco noir, Black Muscat, Chenin blanc, Dolcetto, Grenache, Marechal Foch, Muscat, Müller-Thurgau, Nebbiolo, Petite Syrah, Sangiovese, Sauvignon blanc, Sémillon and Zinfandel.
[17] Vineyard Area As of the 2022 wine growing season, the state of Oregon has 1116 wineries, of which 612 are crushing grapes, and 1474 vineyards growing Vitis vinifera, composing a total of 44,487 acres (18,003 ha) of which 40,774 acres (16,501 ha) were harvested.
Despite producing a much smaller volume of wine, Oregon winery revenues per capita are comparable to those of New York and Washington.
[6] There are, loosely speaking, three main wine producing regions with a major presence in the state of Oregon, as defined by non-overlapping American Viticultural Areas.
[5] The climate of Willamette Valley is mild year-round, with cool, wet winters and warm, dry summers; extreme temperatures are uncommon.
[26] Not all parts of the Valley are suitable for viticulture, and most wineries and vineyards are found west of the Willamette River, with the largest concentration in Yamhill County.
The region also produces Cabernet Sauvignon, Gewürztraminer, Müller-Thurgau, Sémillon, and Zinfandel grapes, but in far smaller quantities.
Ribbon Ridge and Laurelwood District are located entirely within Chehalem Mountains viticultural area.
Although not officially recognized, many vintners further define the Willamette Valley into northern and southern regions with the demarcation being the latitude of Salem (approximately 45° north).
It also exhibits significant differences in elevation due to gorge geography, and strong winds common in the area also play a factor in the region's climate.
[25] The region's climate is unique among AVAs in Oregon; the average temperature is relatively cool and rainfall is low, creating a shorter growing season.
[41] However, the AVA is quite large and warmer microclimates within the area can also support different types of grapes such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
On-site sales are becoming an increasingly important part of the business of Oregon winemaking, and other businesses that cater to wine tourists, such as lodging, fine restaurants, art galleries, have been appearing in places like Dundee, many of which have long been rural farming communities.
It is estimated that enotourism contributed USD $207.5 million to the state economy in 2013[6] excluding sales at wineries and tasting rooms.
Only 5% of overnight leisure trips in the state involve visits to wineries, a much smaller figure than comparable Californian growing regions, which range from 10% to 25%.
[6] The increase in winery-related tourism, as well as the presence of a casino in the Willamette Valley, has greatly impacted the region's transportation infrastructure.
Oregon Route 99W, the highway running through the heart of Willamette Valley wine country (and which is the main street in towns such as Newberg and Dundee), is plagued with frequent traffic jams.
