Oregon Wine Tasting & Oregon Vineyards

October 19, 2007

It would seem logical that the warmer, southern region of Oregon should trump the northern part of the state when it comes to wine, yet Willamette Valley (particularly known for its Pinot Noirs) has received all the glory. The tables could turn, since grape growing in southern Oregon is “going like gangbusters,” according to Kim Kinderman, owner of Agate Ridge Vineyard in the Rogue Valley. “We have tripled the number of acres we have planted in the last five to six years,” she says.

Not only are the number of wineries proliferating, but also the range of varietals is expanding, particularly with later-ripening grapes. Kinderman, who counts 36 wineries in the four-valley area (all within an hour of each other), says Rhone varietals do particularly well there. And the word is getting out. A wine writer from D.C. Examiner published two articles on the region after a visit this summer.

The oldest winery, Hillcrest Vineyard, dates back to 1961. Agate planted its first vineyards in 2001 and opened its tasting room this year. Most of the wineries are young and still small, so if you want to buy a bottle of southern Oregon wine (particularly if you don’t live in Oregon), you’ll probably have to visit the wineries.

Written by admin · Filed Under Wine