A scenic vineyard with lush grapevines and majestic mountains rising in the background under a clear blue sky.

Discovery Series Explores Wines of Oregon

With a large percentage of small, family-owned and estate wineries (70%!), Oregon brings quality to the table. While Willamette Valley pinot noir is its best-known product, there are many diverse wine styles and regions to discover!

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Discovery Series Explores Wines of Oregon

Black and white photo showcasing rows of grapevines in a vineyard under a cloudy sky.

Wine Industry History

When Oregon became the 33rd state in 1859, it already had its first grape plantings and winery. After a long break post-Prohibition, from the 1960s-80s wine pioneers planted new vineyards, creating many of the famous estate wineries seen today. In the early 80s, the first wine regions were created.

Discovery Series Explores Wines of Oregon

Wine Industry Today

Today, Oregon is the fourth-largest wine-producing state, with 1,116 wineries and 1,370 vineyards farming almost 40,000 acres. Willamette Valley is the only U.S. region besides Napa Valley to receive Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status in Europe, recognizing products that reflect their origin.

Discovery Series Explores Wines of Oregon

Map of the state of Oregon highlighting mayor cities and regions.

Wine Regions

Oregon is home to 23 American Viticultural Areas, three of which are shared with Washington to the north and one with Idaho to the east. In the south, Rogue Valley and Umpqua Valley have diverse microclimates, allowing them to plant both cool and warm climate varieties with great success.

Discovery Series Explores Wines of Oregon

A scenic Willamette Valley vineyard with lush grapevines and majestic mountains rising in the background under a clear blue sky.

The Willamette Valley

Oregon’s largest and most famous wine region, the Willamette Valley, contains two-thirds of the state’s vineyards, 11 sub-regions, and over 700 wineries. Framed by mountains to the west and east, the region is protected from weather extremes, creating an ideal atmosphere for its signature pinot noir.

Discovery Series Explores Wines of Oregon

Several wine glasses filled with red, white and rosé wine, accompanied by an assortment of wine bottles in the background.

Wine Styles

There are over 100 grape varieties growing in Oregon, allowing for a wide diversity of wine styles. Still red, rosé and white wines are popular, with some excellent sparkling and dessert wines being made as well.