Oregon Wine

View All/ Add Photos

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 »

By the early 1960s, California oenologists at UC Davis became interested in Oregon terroir, even though studies had determined the climate to be too cool for quality grape-growing. One of them, Richard Sommer, established Hillcrest Vineyard in what is now Umpqua Valley, growing varietals UC Davis had deemed inappropriate such as Gewurtztraminer, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir.

In 1965, David Lett, another UC Davis ex-pat, who had done extensive research in Burgundy and Alsace, determined that certain grapes such as Pinot Gris, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Blanc, Riesling, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir had an excellent chance at long ripening in the climate of Western Oregon. He established Eyrie Vineyard in the Dundee Hills where he was the first to plant the Pinot Gris varietal in the US. By the mid 1970s, he was entering his Pinot Noir in French “Wine Olympics” blind tastings and scoring well, if not first place. In 1980, his Pinot Noir placed second against Robert Drouhin’s 1959 Chambolle-Musigny, which was enough to draw attention to Oregon for the first time as a quality wine region.

By the early 1970s, several other notable producers established their vineyards, many of them also from California: Dick Erath (Erath Vineyards Winery), Nancy and Dick Ponzi (Ponzi Vineyards), Susan and Bill Sokol-Blosser (Sokol-Blosser Winery), Ginny and David Adelsheim (Adelsheim Vineyards), Pat and Joe Campbell (Elk Cove Vineyards), Virginia and Bill Fuller (Tulatin Estate Vineyards), Ann and Jerry Preston with Myron Redford (Amity Vineyards), and even Robert Drouhin.

The success of the 1980 blind tasting has led to the growth of Oregon as a destination for high quality viticulture. Wine-makers have learned how to work with the cool-climate and rainfall factors to produce excellent wines in most vintages from the grapes they find most suitable to the conditions. Pinot Noir is the gem of the region, along with Alsacian grapes Pinot Gris, Gewürtztraminer and Riesling. Many German grapes also do well in the climate such as Müller-Thurgau. In addition, traditional varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel and Chardonnay are also successful.

The regions of Oregon are:

Columbia Gorge (includes Hoode River County)

Columbia Valley (includes Walla Walla Valley)

Snake River Valley

Southern Oregon (includes Rogue and Umpqua valleys)

Wilamette Valley (includes Polk, Washington and Yamhill counties)

– Description from Amanda Schuster (hide)

Add description View 2 descriptions »

Page 1 of 529
Reviews of Oregon Wines

May 2013

Cristom Pinot Noir Jessie Vineyard 2003

Snoothrank:

Brick red in the glass. Lightly smoky nose. Peppery dried herb and plum fruit on the nose. Spicy profile. Diminishing fruit, so all that's left is plum. Fleshy. Stony minerality. Zesty herb and white pepper notes. Nice, but needs food. Cinnamon dust influence. Drink now.89 pts.5/18/13 Read More

Wine review by VegasOenophile
May 2013

Rex Hill Pinot Noir 2010

Snoothrank:

No written review

Wine review by puhnner
May 2013

Novelty Hill Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

Snoothrank:

No written review

Wine review by gntop1
May 2013

Carabella Dijon 76 Chardonnay 2010

Snoothrank:

As many of my regular readers know, I am a huge fan of Oregon Chardonnay and a firm believer that it should be considered one of our signature grapes - right alongside Pinot Noir. Aromas of pears, honeysuckle, Meyer lemons and a hint of wet stone enter onto the palate with a super-pleasing citrus-zest. Green apple, clove and a tiny hint of van... Read More

Wine review by Julia Crowley
May 2013

Carabella Pinot Noir Rosé 2012

Snoothrank:

This had to be one of the most beautifully hued Rosés I have ever seen. Complex floral, strawberry and Bing cherry aromas and flavors were highlighted by alluring spices that flowed in silky waves from the front of the palate to the back. Mid palate bright acidity rounded out the fruit, making it smooth, refreshing, extremely well balanced and... Read More

Wine review by Julia Crowley
May 2013

Raptor Ridge Pinot Noir Willamette Valley Meredith Mitchell 2009

Snoothrank:

This is one Pinot that I just cannot get enough of. Just bought 2 more yesterday. Read More

Wine review by Little Chef
May 2013

Jovino Pinot Noir Jovino Oregon Pinot Noir Red 2009

Snoothrank:

Aroma of red licorice and ripe strawberries. The wine shows bright acidity and ripe tannins. The mouthfeel of sweet red and black currents, cherries, and blackberries is first felt. The long finish brings in ripe tannins and light spice notes. Read More

Wine review by Welkja
May 2013

Waterbrook Red Blend Columbia Valley Mélange 2005

Snoothrank:

No written review

Wine review by Chandira
May 2013

Ponzi Vineyards Pinot Noir Tavola 2010

Snoothrank:

An easy drinking wine. Smooth, simple wine. Red fruit flavor with a little tar in the finish. Read More

Wine review by Welkja
May 2013

King Estate Pinot Gris Oregon

Snoothrank:

No written review

Wine review by Nickrueter

1 2 3 4 5 ... 529 next

« Back to Oregon Overview

View larger map

Best Wine Deals

$15.99

16%off

Michael David Petite Petit 2010
$22.89

24%off

Alexana Riesling Willamette Valley Revana Vineyard 2011

See More Deals »

Oregon Wine Top Lists

Top Value Wines from Oregon 02/12 by Wine Spectator Lists

Willamette valley wines by Welkja

oregon favorites by deercreekvineyards

Cream of the Crop Oregon Chardonnays by Julia Crowley

View All Top Lists »

Community Activity

Recent Forum PostsView all

I need your help!
I am serving a Cream of Kalamata Olive soup with avocados, cream, a...
Whatcha drinking tonight- part 2 (for Zuf)
Tonight some nice pinot from rrv...
WHEN will I EVER learn?!?!
Ok, sucker that I am, I got lured back into the 5-cent sale at Bev...
Pinot Noir Thread - Domestics & Imports
Pinot has been a much celebrated topic here on Snooth over the years...

Oregon wine ratings and reviews

Oregon Wine

Page 1 of 529 Reviews of Oregon Wines

Stay Connected

Get our free newsletter

Snooth Newsletters

Best Wine Deals

Oregon Wine Top Lists

Community Activity

Recent Forum PostsView all

Snooth Media Network

Page 1 of 529
Reviews of Oregon Wines