Willamette Valley: Escape to Oregon Wine Country for a Romantic USA Vacation
Oregon’s wine country in the Willamette Valley region offers exceptional wines and beautiful landscapes. Experience your next summer getaway here!
Youngberg Hill Vineyards & Inn - McMinnville Oregon
Oregons premier wine country inn and one of Wine Spectators favorite location; Youngberg Hill Inn sits atop a mountain with commanding views over the valleys below. Located on 50 acres and surrounded by 22 acres of award-winning Pinot Noir & Pinot Girs. The Inn provides guests the opportunity to explore the 20 year old organic vineyard and to begin tasting our estates award winning wines. We are located 20 minutes from over 80 premier Oregon wineries. Accommodations are luxurious and guests discover well appointed common rooms including a library and an expansive veranda surrounding the house. Youngberg Hill will take your breath away with the most beautiful views, warm luxurious Inn, and exceptional estate wines. Youngberg Hill is the highest rated Inn in the valley and provides the perfect location for those seeking a quiet, romantic getaway, events, as well as a great base for those wishing to tour the Oregon wine country.
youngberghill.com or info@youngberghill.com
LaVelle Vineyards -- Elmira, Oregon
LaVelle Vineyards is a quiet, secluded retreat tucked into the lush, rolling hills just 15 miles west of Eugene. The property includes a 16-acre vineyard, a state-of-the-art winery facility, and terraced gardens and lawns. The winery produces Pinot noir, Pinot gris, Riesling, and Sparkling Wine.
Exploring Oregon Wine Country: Wine + Heritage
See Oregon wine country through the eyes of The Eyrie Vineyards winemaker Jason Lett, whose parents planted the Willamette Valley's first Pinot noir.
McMinnville Wine Country Road Trip
No summer is complete without a road trip. Experience the heart of Oregon wine country on the open road (and visit a tasting room or two along the way).
visitmcminnville.com
A Great Oregon Wine Tour
Oregon Wine tours
Willamette Valley Vineyard
This pioneering Oregon vineyard sits atop a hill formed by an ancient volcanic flow. Surrounded by beautiful panoramic views over the estate vineyard, across the valley and into the hills of the Cascade Mountains. The spectacular tasting room includes a seasonally-inspired menu prepared by the winery chef and cozy fireside dining. The Willamette Valley is known for its world class Pinot Noir.
Oral History Interview with Moe & Hanna Momtazi
This interview is with Moe and Hanna Momtazi from Maysara Winery. Moe talks about immigrating to the United States and why he decided to join the Oregon wine industry. Hanna discusses growing up in the wine industry, why she decided to join the family business and the importance of event planning at the winery. Since Moe is on the Board of Trustees and Hanna is an alum of Linfield College, they both spent some time to talk about the importance of the college to them and the community.
This interview was conducted by Rich Schmidt at Maysara Winery on December 5, 2017.
Oregon Wine in 90 Seconds
Did you know Oregon is the 3rd largest wine producing state in the US? Learn how it's industry grew and where it's at today in our latest 90 seconds of wine.
Oregon Pinot Noir Tasting at Wine Watch
I remember my trip to Oregon in the summer of 1994 for the IPNC (International Pinot Noir Celebration) this is one of the best wine parties that I have ever attended. The festival is limited to 500 attendees as it is hosted by McMinnville College and that is all they can accommodate in their lecture facilities. I remember not only were the quality of the wines at the highest level but the people in attendance were some of the most passionate Pinot Noir lovers that I had ever come across. And although winemaking began in the 19th century in this state it is only recently that its potential has been recognized by the rest of the world.
It was in 1979 when serious wine producers started to look at the potential of this area as Eyrie Vineyards' 1975 South Block Pinot Noir placed in the top 10 of Burgundy-style wines at the Gault-Millau French Wine Olympiades, and was rated the top Pinot Noir. This send the news around the wine world and shortly after Robert Drouhin, head of Burgundy's legendary Maison Joseph Drouhin, was visiting America's west coast promoting the Drouhin Burgundies. The California wine industry was just starting to receive its first recognition back then, but there was little if anything going on in Oregon. Robert's first visit to the Northwest and its earliest vineyards left him with the impression that it quite possibly would be Oregon, not California, that would ultimately prove to be the best place to grow the great grape of Burgundy - Pinot noir.
Inspired by his trip to Oregon and the results of 1979 tasting that was held in Paris, where, for the first time, the best new Oregon Pinot noirs were tasted in competition with the finest Burgundies. Robert decided to hold his own blind tasting in 1980 at the Drouhin cellars in France, with several of the best Oregon Pinot noirs going up against the finest Drouhin Grand Crus. It was a Drouhin Grand Cru that took first place this time, but an Oregon wine (the now legendary 1975 Eyrie Vineyards South Block) placed 2nd by a very narrow margin with the French experts. News of this tasting brought the first widespread international attention to Oregon Pinot noir.
After a few years time Robert's daughter Véronique just graduated with an advanced degree in enology from the University of Dijon, and wanted to expand her experience by working in Oregon. Véronique interned with Adelsheim Vineyards, Bethel Heights, and Eyrie for the 1986 vintage. Later on, Robert mentioned to David Adelsheim that it might be interesting to buy a piece of land in Oregon, to see what it might produce. What started as a passing thought began its transformation into reality when Adelsheim phoned the Drouhins in Beaune not long thereafter to tell them of a property that was for sale that they might be interested in. The rest is history and with one of Burgundies foremost wine producing families moving to Oregon the writing was on the wall that this wine producing region would soon get its much deserved recognition as one of the world's premier Pinot Noir growing regions.
Today, the state of Oregon in the United States has established an international reputation for its production of wine. Oregon has several different growing regions within the state's borders which are well-suited to the cultivation of grapes; additional regions straddle the border between Oregon and the states of Washington and Idaho. Wine making dates back to pioneer times in the 1840s, with commercial production beginning in the 1960s.
American Viticultural Areas entirely within the state include the Willamette Valley, Southern Oregon, Umpqua Valley, and Rogue Valley AVAs. Parts of the Columbia Gorge, Walla Walla Valley, and Snake River Valley AVAs lie within Oregon. Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris are the top two grapes grown, with over 16,000 tons (14,515 metric tons) harvested in 2005. As of 2005, Oregon wine makers produced over 1.5 million cases combined.
Currently there are over 300 wineries in Oregon and a bustling tourism industry has developed around wine tasting. Much of the tourism focuses on the wineries and tasting rooms in and around the Yamhill Valley southwest of Portland.
You don't have to travel to Oregon to see some of the top wines being made here as we have brought the wines to you. Tonight we will taste over 30 of this state's top wines and Wine Watch Catering's Toni Lampasone is making a few tasty treats to accompany the tasting wines and the fee for this event is $35 + tax, for reservations call 954-523-9463.
Oregon Pinot Noir tasting at Wine Watch
Friday, April 19th
7pm
Exploring Oregon Wine Country: wine + food
Travel along as an Oregon winemaker indulges her passion for the kitchen, and see why the Willamette Valley is a food- and wine-lover's paradise.
American Wine Story: Interview with Janie Brooks
After twelve years of accounting, Janie Brooks' life took a turn when her brother, Jimi Brooks, unexpectedly passed away. Janie teamed up with her brother's many peers and friends in the industry to keep the winery going and Janie has since become the manager.
In this interview, Janie Brooks talks about her life before the winery and how things have changed since. Brooks talks a lot about her brother Jimi, what he was like, and the importance of preserving his legacy.
This interview was conducted by David Baker of Three Crows Productions.
Mastering Willamette Valley Wine
Oregon wine is on a roll in New York. According to Nielsen data, Oregon wine sales increased 21% in New York over the last 3 years. Eric Asimov of The New York Times must have felt that same momentum when he recently wrote, “Oregon is right now the single most exciting winemaking area in the United States.”
Why is this little wine region, just 1% of the total US wine production, making such a big impression on New York and across the country?
On May 7 2019 in New York City, Pacific Northwest-based Masters, Bree Stock MW and Chris Tanghe MS offered a multi-faceted presentation and discussion on the AVAs, varieties and business of wine in Oregon’s powerhouse region, the Willamette Valley.
Maysara
Maysara shows their latest offerings at the T. Edward Wines Domestic Tasting 2011
Vista Hills Vineyard - Dayton, Oregon
Vista Hills Vineyard is situated high up in Oregon's storied Dundee Hills, overlooking forty acres of world-class Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris.
Salem, Oregon Vineyard
I had the opportunity to eat at a scenic vineyard while visiting my friends in Oregon. While there I watched the vinedressers trim the grapes... I did this short of it, I had until then, never seen that before, it was cool because they were singing , you can't hear it on the video but it was like you see in the old timey movies, but real...
Exploring Oregon Wine Country: Wine + Family
Farm-raised in the heart of the valley: follow along as one Oregon winemaker makes family memories in the Willamette Valley.
Cap City BFF 2018 Selection: Red White & Black Oregon Wine
Red, White and Black highlights the lives of minority winemakers who have begun challenging the face of Oregon's winemaking culture. This documentary delves into the challenges and accomplishments of winemakers of color and the LGBTQ community who have traditionally been excluded from the predominantly white, high-brown industry. This is a story of entrepreneurs of different backgrounds who have removed barriers in pursuit of their dreams thereby closing the narrow opportunity gap in Oregons. Despite the gravity of its content, this documentary delivers with an upbeat tone, acadence of storytelling and camerawork that helpt uplift the consciousness of viewers, wine drinkers, and dreamers alike.
Oldest Winery in Oregon
View our newest video highlighting the Nehalem Bay Winery near Cannon Beach.
Ep 263: Oregon Overview
We finally cover Oregon State in the United States -- home of much Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and lots of other great emerging varietals. The state has some challenges, but it's a fascinating place and an essential part of the American wine landscape.
Thanks to our sponsors this week (see info below for more on them!)
Here are the show notes:
Oregon Overview:
4th in production after, CA, WA, NY. (third if you only consider vitis vinifera!) Oregon produces more than 39 different varietals, grows 82 The number of vineyards in Oregon has nearly doubled since 2005 70% of Oregon wineries produce fewer than 5,000 cases a year Location, Soils:
Most winegrowing is at 45˚ north latitude – same as Beaujolais, “Burgundy”, Côte d'Or is at 47˚N Soil is important: Marine Sedimentary: Willakenzie Volcanic (Basalt): Jory, Nekia Windblown Loess (Silts): Laurelwood Wine Types:
Pinot Noir is 58% of all plantings, 59% of production Other major varieties: Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon
Regions
Willamette Valley AVA
71% of wine production Largest AVA, nearly 600 wineries Grapes: Pinot, Pinot Gris, Chard, Pinot Blanc, Riesling, Cab, Gewurz, etc. Sub AVAs: Chehalem Mtns, Dundee Hills, Eola-Amity Hills, McMinnville, Yamhill-Carlton District, Ribbon Ridge (in Chehalem Mtns)
Southern Oregon AVA = Rogue Valley + Umpqua Valley
Umpqua Valley AVA: drainage basin of Umpqua River, not mtns
Warmer than Willamette, cooler than Rogue Tempranillo, Pinot, Pinot Gris, Cab, Chard, Riesling, Gruner Rogue Valley AVA Warmest, driest region Three valleys – different terroir
Columbia Gorge AVA
Straddles Columbia River of Oregon and Washington Wide variety of grapes: Syrah, Pinot, Chard, Gewurz, Zin, Cab, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Sangiovese
Columbia Valley AVA
Portions of northeastern Oregon Columbia Valley and Walla Walla Valley AVAs are within Washington state. - The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater is in both states Syrah, Merlot, Cab, Sangiovese, some Rhône stuff
Snake River Valley AVA
Principally located in Idaho, encompasses two large counties Eastern OR Different climate – cool, low rainfall, short growing season Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Chardonnay
Thanks to our sponsors this week:
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