Willamette Valley
Main grapes: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Riesling
Sub-regions: Chehalem Mountains, Dundee Hills, McMinnville, Ribbon Ridge, Yamhill-Carlton District and Eola-Amity Hills
Climate: In a word; mild. Cool, wet winters and warm, dry summers, however most of the rainfalls occurs during the winter so the grapes are quite literally ‘safe and dry’in the growing and harvesting periods!
You should know... At 150 miles long and 60 miles wide, Willamette Valley is the largest of Oregon’s appellations. The mild temperatures combined with the costal influences that affect this region mean that it the ideal environment to grown the ever-temperamental Pinot Noir. The Pinot Noirs here tend to be made in a Burgundian style, however some critics have commented that they often have ‘Dr. Pepper aromas’ (which I personally think is a bit of a worry, but whatever floats your boat I suppose).
Sub-regions: Chehalem Mountains, Dundee Hills, McMinnville, Ribbon Ridge, Yamhill-Carlton District and Eola-Amity Hills
Climate: In a word; mild. Cool, wet winters and warm, dry summers, however most of the rainfalls occurs during the winter so the grapes are quite literally ‘safe and dry’in the growing and harvesting periods!
You should know... At 150 miles long and 60 miles wide, Willamette Valley is the largest of Oregon’s appellations. The mild temperatures combined with the costal influences that affect this region mean that it the ideal environment to grown the ever-temperamental Pinot Noir. The Pinot Noirs here tend to be made in a Burgundian style, however some critics have commented that they often have ‘Dr. Pepper aromas’ (which I personally think is a bit of a worry, but whatever floats your boat I suppose).