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The history of Oregon wine-making dates back to the mid 1800s. Horticulturalist Henderson Luelling is credited with planting the first grapes in 1847 in Willamette Valley. His son-in-law, William Meek, won a medal in the 1859 California State Fair for wines made from the Isabella grape (an American hybrid). By the 1880s, vineyards began to take shape throughout the Willamette and Umpqua valleys, with Vitis vinifera stocks imported from Europe for the first time. 

But as with California, the Oregon wine industry was all but wiped out during the Prohibition from 1919 to 1933. In the era following the Repeal, the government allowed fruit-based wines (mostly from berries and Concord grapes) with licenses to “Farmer’s Wineries.”  A handful of vintners worked with vinifera-based wines, but with only a modicum of success. 
 
By the early 1960s, California oenologists at UC Davis became interested in Oregon terroir, even though studies had determined the climate to Read more »

8 Takes on an Oregon Evening

You could argue that Oregon Pinot Noir is not the ideal wine for Peking duck (though you might be mistaken), but that's neither here nor there. In this, our second installment on the People's Voice Awards Wine Writer Seminar Series, we hear from some o...

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A Tour of the Oregon Wine Harvest

On the third day of the incredible Oregon Wine Harvest Tour through the gorgeous state I proudly call home, our group of wine writers was lucky enough to sit down with four of Oregon’s top producers of fine Chardonnay: Jim Bernau of Willamette Valley V...

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A Visit to Willamette Valley, Oregon

What follows are brief recommendations from a recent visit to Oregon’s Willamette Valley. I visited five wineries in a day and was fortunate to taste many wines from each producer, but these six wines stood out as being among the best for each variety ...

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Oregon Wines are Coming

It’s funny how life can force changes upon you. Just four years ago almost to the day, I began working here at Snooth. First, I worked primarily on data projects, but by November of 2008, I was launching what has become Snooth Media’s editorial depar...

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Oregon Pinot Gris

Oregon has slowly been carving out a niche for itself with Pinot Gris. At first, the wines tended to be on the sweet side. Admittedly, the buying public was well served by the chosen moniker, Pinot Gris, over the more common and familiar Pinot Grigio...

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Robust Italian Varietals in the Heart of Oregon Pinot Noir Country

Smack dab in the middle of Willamette Valley Pinot Noir country, you may not expect to find big, bold Italian varietals, but a visit to Remy Wines will get you just that. Specializing in single vineyard Italian varietal wines like Barbera, Sangiovese, ...

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Feast Portland: Share the Bounty

Portland is surrounded by some of the country’s finest ingredients. In every direction, you find remarkable, farm fresh ingredients. You could even call Portland the ingredient epicenter of the world. It’s high time we shared our bounty!

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Guide to Willamette Valley Wine Country

The northern portion of Oregon’s Willamette Valley is only an hour’s drive from Portland, the state’s largest city, but the 5,200 square mile swatch of wine country seems a world apart in its unhurried, scenic way. The Willamette Valley offers a great...

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Keyshawn Johnson Joins Leagues of Athletes Turned Vintners

NFL legend Keyshawn Johnson joined the ranks of athletes turned vintners today with the announcement of his super premium wine called KJ1 by Keyshawn Jackson, according to Business Wire. Johnson, who was first pick in the 1996 NFL Draft, decided to go...

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Wine Harlot's Brown Sugar & Mustard Glazed Planked Alaska Salmon

Brown Sugar & Mustard Glazed Planked Alaska Salmon, a simple, but elegant dish that I find is a classic pairing for pinot noir, whether you pick a wine from the Anderson Valley, Oregon, Sonoma or Burgundy, it's always a perfect pairing with salmon

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Henry Estate Henry the V (2004)

Winery: Scott Henry's Winery Corp.
Region: USA » Oregon » Southern Oregon AVA » Douglas County » Umpqua Valley
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon , Cabernet Franc , Merlot , Syrah , Malbec
Type: Table Wines
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rob198

Slow to open, but once it does offers generous dark fruit, soft tannins and a hint of vanilla. Delicious is not the word, but it is definately a great expression of what Oregon can do with big grapes!

Foris Pinot Gris Rogue Valley (2006)

Winery: Foris Vineyards Winery
Region: USA » Oregon » Southern Oregon AVA » Jackson/Josephine Counties » Rogue Valley
Varietal: Pinot Grigio
Type: Table Wines
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tabednar

Very clean, crisp pinot gris. Straw color and meidum bodied. Scents of citrus fruits and spice. Noted strong citrus taste with background of pear and apple. Good amount of acidity and dryness. Very smooth finish. Nice when chilled on a hot day.

Abacela Vineyards and Winery Albariño (2009)

Winery: Abacela Vineyards and Winery
Region: USA » Oregon » Southern Oregon AVA » Douglas County » Umpqua Valley
Varietal: Albariño
Type: Table Wines
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anchca

Citrus, peach, apple, honeysuckle and a hint of spice. Nice acidity yet still smooth. Medium finish.

Foris Gewürztraminer Rogue Valley (2009)

Winery: Foris Vineyards Winery
Region: USA » Oregon » Southern Oregon AVA » Jackson/Josephine Counties » Rogue Valley
Type: Table Wines
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Mary Margaret McCamic

Pronounced aromatics - very classically Gewurztraminer with sweet spices, roses, and a hint of grapefruit. Soft and full in the mouth, with fruit notes that echo the nose. Very tasty.

Girardet Baco Noir Umpqua Valley (2008)

Winery: Girardet Wine Cellars & Vineyard
Region: USA » Oregon » Southern Oregon AVA » Douglas County » Umpqua Valley
Varietal: Baco Noir
Type: Table Wines
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aronowm2

This one is for all the wine geeks out there. Good luck finding this varietal anywhere. Tastes like a Loire Cab franc mixed with a Chianti. I fear that I should have waited to open this, but I couldn't resist as I have never had Baco noir. Great pairin...

Foris Pinot Gris Rogue Valley (2008)

Winery: Foris Vineyards Winery
Region: USA » Oregon » Southern Oregon AVA » Jackson/Josephine Counties » Rogue Valley
Varietal: Pinot Grigio
Type: Table Wines
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InWineTruth

Straw bright, aromas of citrus, green apple and green melon, good balance in flavor notes with a viscous texture and moderate acidity to a long, lingering finish.

Owen Roe Cabernet Sauvignon Walla Walla Valley Seven Hills Vineyard (2006)

Winery: Owen Roe
Region: USA » Oregon » Southern Oregon AVA » Jackson/Josephine Counties » Rogue Valley » Applegate Valley
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Type: Table Wines
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Cheri

Everything a cab should be. Beat out 7 other wines at our cab wine tasting in Feb. '08 to come away as the favorite of the night.

Delfino Vineyards Umpqua Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (2010)

Region: USA » Oregon » Southern Oregon AVA » Douglas County » Umpqua Valley
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Color: Red Wines
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Julia Crowley

Aromas showcased black currants with a hint of vanilla and pie spice, along with robust, layered flavors of blackberries and dark cherries. I loved the lingering finish on this Cab, and I truly enjoyed every sip. Excellent with BBQ Ribs or Flank Steak

Foris Pinot Gris Rogue Valley (2008)

Winery: Foris Vineyards Winery
Region: USA » Oregon » Southern Oregon AVA » Jackson/Josephine Counties » Rogue Valley
Varietal: Pinot Grigio
Type: Table Wines
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Val13

Typical yeasty, spicy Pinot Gris nose, very buttery palate but dry and balanced by acidity, long finish, not oaky.

Abacela Syrah Southern Oregon (2007)

Winery: Abacela Vineyards and Winery
Region: USA » Oregon » Southern Oregon AVA » Douglas County » Umpqua Valley
Varietal: Syrah
Type: Table Wines
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anchca

Needed a bit of time to open up in the glass. Nice acid, mid palate weight and finish. Dark berries and spice.

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Yamhill Valley Pinot Noir Estate
Winery: Yamhill Valley Vineyards
Region: USA » Oregon » Willamette Valley
Type: Table Wines

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Chicken with Roasted Sweet Potato Salad

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Jigsaw Pinot Noir Oregon
Winery: Jigsaw
Region: USA » Oregon » Willamette Valley AVA » Yamhill County » Mcminnville
Type: Table Wines

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Rutabaga with Mustard and Scallions

The slightly bitter, largely underappreciated rutabaga takes on a new appeal when combined with fragrant ginger and toasted mustard seeds. This Asian-inspired side dish served with our Five-Spice R... Read more »

Chainsaw Pinot Noir
Winery: Witness Tree Vineyard
Region: USA » Oregon » Willamette Valley AVA » Polk/Yamhill counties » Eola - Amity Hills
Type: Table Wines

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Herbed Cauliflower and Broccoli Salad

Two underappreciated vegetables—cauliflower and broccoli—take center stage in this simple, flavorful side that’s a perfect fit with roasted chicken and mashed red potatoes . Game plan: The veget... Read more »

Cloudline Pinot Noir Willamette Valley
Winery: Cloudline Cellars
Region: USA » Oregon » Willamette Valley
Type: Table Wines

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Prosciutto & Fontina-Stuffed Chicken Breasts

These stuffed chicken breasts can be assembled and refrigerated for up to three hours before cooking. Read more »

Montinore Estate Pinot Noir Willamette Valley
Winery: Montinore Estate
Region: USA » Oregon » Willamette Valley
Type: Table Wines

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Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Mango Chutney

Serve this slightly sweet side dish with roasted chicken, turkey cutlets, or pork chops. Read more »

Cherry Hill Winery Pinot Noir Willamette Valley Papillon
Winery: Cherry Hill Winery
Region: USA » Oregon » Willamette Valley
Type: Table Wines

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Potato and Turnip Gratin

Serve this with roast lamb or chicken. Market tip: Let the greens (if attached) be your guide to freshness when selecting turnips. Make sure they are bright green and fresh-looking. Read more »

Cloudline Pinot Noir Willamette Valley
Winery: Cloudline Cellars
Region: USA » Oregon » Willamette Valley
Type: Table Wines

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Sweet Potato & Apple Gratin

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A To Z Wineworks Pinot Noir Willamette Valley
Winery: A to Z Wineworks
Region: USA » Oregon » Willamette Valley
Type: Table Wines

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Honey Mustard-Whipped Sweet Potatoes

Serve this simple, creamy dish as a side to chicken or pork. This recipe goes with Tarragon Chicken With Roasted Vegetables Read more »

Cloudline Pinot Noir Willamette Valley
Winery: Cloudline Cellars
Region: USA » Oregon » Willamette Valley
Type: Table Wines

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Roasted Cauliflower, Chickpeas, and Olives

Enjoy this tangy dish as a side with sautéed fish or roast chicken, or serve it as the Spanish would, among a variety of other vibrant flavors and small plates. Read more »

Red Door Cellars Pinot Noir Willamette Valley
Winery: Red Door Cellars
Region: USA » Oregon » Willamette Valley
Type: Table Wines

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Peruvian Chicken Stew with Sweet Potatoes and Peanuts

Cornmeal and potatoes are two of Peru's ancient staples; this recipe incorporates both. We also use a common Peruvian technique: thickening the broth with ground peanuts. Read more »

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1048490Wine Spectator Lists

Top Value Wines from Oregon 02/12

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1230782Welkja

Willamette valley wines

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622712deercreekvineyards

oregon favorites

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1094165Julia Crowley

Cream of the Crop Oregon Chardonnays

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Mentor for Oregon Wines

Julia Crowley

Award-winning wine writer & owner of WineJulia.com, Food & Wine Editor @EugeneDailyNews and Snooth Mentor. Willamette Valley & Southern Oregon wine expert. The lusciously elegant Pinot Noir captured my heart a long time ago.

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Popular wines made in Oregon under $20

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Varietals Produced in Oregon View all

  • Cabernet Sauvignon

    “King of the Red Wine Grapes.” The colonizer of the vineyards, pushing native wine grapes into its shadows. The Caber...

  • Pinot Noir

    “With so voluptuous a perfume, so sweet an edge, they make the blood run hot,” Joel Fleischman, wine columnist at Van...

  • Syrah

    The irony here is that Syrah’s origins could give Carmen Sandiego a run for her international wallet. Syrah’s deepest...

  • Chardonnay

    British wine writer and critic, Jancis Robinson, once noted that throughout the 80’s and 90’s in the United States, C...

Subregions of Oregon

Popular Wineries in Oregon View all

  • Milbrandt Vineyards

    Farming is in our blood. Our parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles all made their living workin...

  • Cristom Vineyards

    Cristom's founder and owner, Paul Gerrie, used his skills as an engineer and avid researcher to p...

  • Viridian Wines

    ROLLING HILLS, FERTILE VALLEYS and lush stretches of green as far as the eye can see, describe th...

  • Willamette Valley Vineyards

    Founded in 1983 by Oregon native, Jim Bernau, with the dream of creating world-class Pinot Noir, ...

  • Evening Land Vineyards/ONCE Wines

    Once a year our winemaker collaborates with America's best sommeliers to blend the exclusive wi...

  • Stangeland Vineyards and Winery

    2500 case winery specializing in Pinot Noir of the Willamette Valley and Eola-Amity Hills AVA. Al...

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