Southern Oregon AVA Wine

The Southern Oregon regional history of wine-making dates back to 1852, when settler Peter Britt established a winery in Jacksonville. Though there was further expansion and some degree of growth into the 20th century, most wineries were forced to shut down during the Prohibition.

 

The first Post-Prohibition success in the region was due to the efforts of University of California at Davis oenologist Richard Sommer. Despite UC Davis reports that Oregon would be unsuitable for quality viticulture from a temperature perspective, he saw the potential in the terroir and had inklings that certain varietals would take to the climate with proper care. So in 1961, he established Hillcrest Vineyard in the Umpqua Valley, growing Chardonnay, Gewürtraminer and Pinot Noir. His successes inspired other vintners to follow and by the 1970s, the region was dotted with wineries. Southern Oregon was awarded AVA status in 2004.

 

Southern Oregon is the warmest and driest region in Oregon, Read more »