When you think of Oregon and wine you probably first think, Pinot Noir and then of the Willamette Valley. That’s good! Willamette Valley Wine has done its job well! But while that Willamette Valley Pinot is delicious, there is more, much more to Oregon wine.
Southern Oregon Wine country is often lumped together as everything south of the Willamette. That’s a huge region that takes in everything from the California border to almost Eugene.
Encompassing 5 regions with over 150 wineries Southern Oregon has some of the most diverse growing conditions in the world
At the Southern end, you have the Rogue and Applegate Valleys and their AVAs (American Viticultural Areas).
Moving North you find the Umpqua Valley Wineries. This region is home to the oldest Estate Winery in Oregon at Hillcrest Vineyard near Roseburg.
But calling the area the Umpqua Valley is a bit of a misnomer. This region is a mosaic of valleys. Scott Kelly of Paul O’Brien Wines likened it to the facets of a diamond. The region has a popular nickname the “Hundred Valleys of the Umpqua”.
Leave a Reply