View source for Willamette Valley AVA

{{Short description|Wine region in Oregon, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2021}}
{{Infobox Wine Region
| name = Willamette Valley
| image = Willamette Valley Vineyards.jpg
| caption = Willamette Valley
| official name = 
| other name = 
| type = [[American Viticultural Area]]
| year = 1984<ref name="Establish">{{cite journal |url=https://www.ttb.gov/media/69462/download?inline|journal= [[Federal Register]] | title=Establishment of the Willamette Valley Viticultural Area |publisher=[[Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms]] (ATF), [[United States Department of the Treasury|Treasury]] |format=27 CFR 9 [T.D. ATF-162; Ref: Notice No. 4731] Final Rule | volume=48 | issue=232 | pages=54220–54222 |date=1983-12-01}}{{PD-notice}}</ref><br/>2016 Amended:<ref name="2016_Amended">{{cite journal |url=https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2016-03-03/pdf/2016-04710.pdf |  journal=[[Federal Register]] | title=Expansion of the Willamette Valley Viticultural Area | publisher=[[Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau|Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau {TTB)]], [[United States Department of the Treasury|Treasury]]  |format=27 CFR 9 [Docket No. TTB–2015–0008; T.D. TTB–134; Ref: Notice No. 152] RIN 1513–AC21 Final rule |volume=81 |issue=42| pages=11110-11113 |date=2016-03-13| archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20210423031020/https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2016-03-03/pdf/2016-04710.pdf| archive-date=2021-04-23| url-status=live}}{{PD-notice}}</ref>
| wine years = {{years ago|1880}}<ref name="Petition"/>
| country = United States
| part of = [[Oregon wine|Oregon]]
| similar = 
| sub regions = [[Chehalem Mountains AVA]], [[Dundee Hills AVA]], [[Eola-Amity Hills AVA]], [[Laurelwood District AVA]], [[Lower Long Tom AVA]], [[McMinnville AVA]], [[Mount Pisgah, Polk County, Oregon AVA]], [[Ribbon Ridge AVA]], [[Tualatin Hills AVA]], [[Van Duzer Corridor AVA]], [[Yamhill-Carlton District AVA]]
| season = 
| climate region = Maritime
| heat units = 
| precipitation = 
| soil = Volcanic origin and weathered sedimentary loam<ref name="Appellation_America"/>
| total size = {{convert|5360|sqmi|acre|0}}<ref name="2016_Amended"/>
| planted = 
| vineyards =
| grapes = [[Auxerrois Blanc|Auxerrois]], [[Cabernet Franc]], [[Cabernet Sauvignon]], [[Seibel grapes|Cascade]], [[Chardonnay]], [[Dolcetto]], [[Gamay noir]], [[Gewurztraminer]], [[Malbec]], [[Marechal Foch]], [[Melon de Bourgogne|Melon]], [[Merlot]], [[Müller-Thurgau]], [[Muscat Canelli]], [[Muscat Ottonel]], [[Pinot blanc]], [[Pinot gris]], [[Pinot noir]], [[Riesling]], [[Sauvignon blanc]], [[Syrah]], [[Tocai Friulano]], [[Viognier]]<ref name="Appellation_America">{{cite web |website=Appellation America|date=2007 |url=http://wine.appellationamerica.com/wine-region/Willamette-Valley.html |title=Willamette Valley (AVA): Appellation Profile|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090316132419/http://wine.appellationamerica.com/wine-region/Willamette-Valley.html  |archive-date=2009-03-16 |access-date=January 29, 2008|url-status=live}}</ref>
| varietals = 
| wineries = 500
| wine produced =
| designation =
| comments = 
}}

'''Willamette Valley''' ({{IPAc-en|w|ᵻ|ˈ|l|æ|m|ᵻ|t}} {{respell|wi|LAM|it}}) is an [[American Viticultural Area|American Viticultural Area (AVA)]] which lies in the [[Willamette Valley]] of [[Oregon]].  The AVA is the wine growing region which encompasses the [[drainage basin]] of the [[Willamette River]].  It stretches from the [[Columbia River]] in the north to just south of [[Eugene, Oregon|Eugene]] in the south, where the [[Willamette Valley]] ends; and from the [[Oregon Coast Range]] in the west to the [[Cascade Mountains]] in the east.  At {{convert|5360|sqmi|acre|-2}}, it is the largest AVA in the state, and contains most of the state's wineries; approximately 908 as of 2021.

The AVA was established by the [[Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms]] (ATF), [[United States Department of the Treasury| Treasury]] on January 3, 1984 after reviewing the petition submitted by Mr. David B. Adelsheim, Chairman, Appellation Committee, Oregon Winegrowers Association, and owner of Adelsheim Vineyards, proposing a viticultural area in northwest Oregon, as part of the Willamette River Basin, to be known as "Willamette Valley."<ref name="Petition">{{cite web |title=Petition for Approval of the Proposed Viticultural Area "Willamette Valley" |url=https://www.ttb.gov/media/69463/download?inline |website=TTB.gov |author=Adelsheim, David B.|publisher=Oregon Winegrowers Association |date=1982-07-30}}{{PD-notice}}</ref> 
Since then, ten distinctly featured areas, referred as "sub-AVA" or "sub-appellation", were recognized within the Willamette Valley AVA, with nine of them in the northern region and the [[Lower Long Tom AVA]] in the southern.<ref name="Oregonlive">{{cite web|last=Alberty |first=Michael |url= https://www.oregonlive.com/wine/2021/12/lower-long-tom-oregons-newest-wine-region-wins-the-name-game.html| title= Lower Long Tom: Oregon's newest wine region wins the name game| newspaper=[[The Oregonian]] |date=2021-12-18| access-date=2022-12-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221222040055/https://www.oregonlive.com/wine/2021/12/lower-long-tom-oregons-newest-wine-region-wins-the-name-game.html| archive-date=2022-12-22 | url-status=live}}</ref> The Willamette Valley has a cool, moist climate, and is recognized worldwide for its [[Pinot noir]].<ref name="Appellation_America"/>

Although not officially recognized, many wine connoisseurs further define the Willamette Valley into northern and southern regions with the demarcation being the latitude of [[Salem, Oregon|Salem]] (approximately 45° north).<ref name="Lat">{{cite web|url=https://www.latlong.net/place/salem-or-usa-1245.html|title=Salem, OR, USA|website=LatLong.net}}</ref>

== Climate ==
[[Image:Wpdms shdrlfi020l willamette valley.jpg|thumb|left|The Willamette River Valley]]
The climate of Willamette Valley is mild year-round.  Winters are typically cool and wet, summers are dry and warm;  heat above {{convert|90|°F|°C|0}}  only occurs 5 to 15 days per year, and the temperature drops below {{convert|0|°F|°C|0}} once every 25 years.  Most rainfall occurs in the late autumn, winter, and early spring, when temperatures are the coldest.  The valley gets relatively little snow ({{convert|5|in|cm|0}} to {{convert|10|in|cm|0}}) per year.<ref name="OSU_Climate">{{cite web |url=http://www.ocs.orst.edu/pub_ftp/reports/zone/Zone_2_narrative.html |website=Oregon State University|title=Oregon Climate Zone Summary: Zone 2 - The Willamette Valley|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080202054107/http://www.ocs.orst.edu:80/pub_ftp/reports/zone/Zone_2_narrative.html  |archive-date=2008-02-02}}</ref> The [[hardiness zone]] is mostly 8b.<ref name="USDA_Hardiness_Zone">{{cite web |title=Plant Hardiness Zone |url=https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/ |website=United States Department of Agriculture}}</ref>

Not all portions of the Willamette Valley are suitable for vineyards, however, and the largest concentration of wineries is found west of the [[Willamette River]], on the leeward slopes of the Coast Range, or among the numerous river and stream valleys created by Willamette River tributaries.  By far, the largest concentration of wineries is in [[Yamhill County]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.winesnw.com/nwillmap.html|title=North Willamette Valley Wineries Overview Map |work=Wines Northwest|format=Oregon's Willamette Valley Wine Country}}</ref>

== Sub-appellations ==
There are ten American Viticultural Areas within the Willamette Valley AVA. These smaller AVAs recognize regions within the larger Willamette Valley AVA that have distinctive [[climate]], [[soil]], [[elevation]], or other physical features that make them noteworthy for wine production.

=== Chehalem Mountains AVA ===
{{main article|Chehalem Mountains AVA}}
The Chehalem Mountains AVA, established in 2006, stretches {{convert|20|mi|km|0}} from [[Wilsonville, Oregon|Wilsonville]] in the southeast to [[Forest Grove, Oregon|Forest Grove]] in the northwest.  The Chehalem Mountains includes [[Ribbon Ridge]], [[Parrett Mountain]], and [[Bald Peak]].  The petition process for the creation of the AVA began in 2001 and was led by David Adelsheim of [https://www.adelsheim.com Adelsheim Vineyard].<ref name="chehalem">{{cite web |website=Wines Northwest|url=http://www.winesnw.com/news_reviews/newsandreviews_chehalemAVA.htm|title=Chehalem Mountains Becomes Oregon's Fifteenth American Viticultural Area|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517100138/http://www.winesnw.com/news_reviews/newsandreviews_chehalemAVA.htm|archive-date=2008-05-17|date=December 27, 2006}}</ref>  It contains two sub-regions, Laurelwood District AVA and Ribbon Ridge AVA.

=== Dundee Hills AVA ===
{{main article|Dundee Hills AVA}}
Dundee Hills AVA lies in the hills northwest of [[Dundee, Oregon|Dundee]] encompassing about {{convert|6940|acre|sqmi|0}} cultivating {{convert|1300|acre|ha|0}} of grapes. Over 25 wineries and independent vineyards in this region produce over 44,000 cases of wine.  The area is particularly noted for its [[Pinot noir]]; several wineries in the AVA have won international recognition for their wines.<ref name="Dundee_Hills_Establish">{{cite journal |url=https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2004-11-30/pdf/04-26330.pdf|title=Establishment of the Dundee Hills Viticultural Area (2002R–218P)| journal=[[Federal Register]] |date=2004-11-30 |publisher=[[Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau |Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB)]], [[United States Department of the Treasury|Treasury]] | volume=69|issue=229| pages=69524-69527 |format= 27 CFR Part 9 [TTB T.D.–18; Re: Notice No. 14] RIN: 1513–AA50 Final Rule | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210323025602/https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2004-11-30/pdf/04-26330.pdf |archive-date=2021-03-23|url-status=live}}{{PD-notice}}</ref><ref name="Dunhill">{{cite web |url=http://www.dundeehills.org/presskit.htm |title=Dundee Hills Winegrowers Association Brings Further Recognition to Oregon ’s Premier Wine Region | work=Dundee Hills Winegrowers Association | format=Media Press Kit| date=2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090412020146/https://dundeehills.org/presskit.htm  |archive-date=2009-04-12}}</ref>

=== Eola-Amity Hills AVA ===
{{main article|Eola-Amity Hills AVA}}
The Eola-Amity Hills AVA stretches from the town of [[Amity, Oregon|Amity]] in the north to [[Salem, Oregon|Salem]] in the south within [[Polk County, Oregon|Polk]] and [[Yamhill County, Oregon|Yamhill]] Counties.  The hills cover an area west of the [[Willamette River]] approximately {{convert|15|mi|km|0}} long by {{convert|6|mi|km|0}} wide.  The Eola-Amity Hills area benefits from steady winds off the [[Pacific Ocean]] that reach the [[Willamette Valley]] through the [[Van Duzer corridor]], a gap in the [[Oregon Coast Range]], moderating the summer temperatures.  The name Eola is a tribute to the windy conditions in the area, and is derived from [[Aeolus]], the [[Greek god]] of wind.<ref name="purdue">{{cite news |author1=Purdue, Andy|date=2006-06-15 |  url=http://www.winepressnw.com/features/story/7979592p-7872921c.html |title=Introducing the Eola-Amity Hills|work=Wine Press Northwest|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080303035908/https://www.winepressnw.com/features/story/7979592p-7872921c.html   |archive-date=2008-03-03 |access-date=January 29, 2009}}</ref>

=== Laurelwood District AVA ===
{{main article|Laurelwood District AVA}}
The Laurelwood District AVA is located west of the city of Portland and lies entirely within the Willamette Valley and [[Chehalem Mountains AVA]]s since it was established by the TTB in May 2020. It covers approximately {{convert|33600| acres|ha|0}} and contains 25 wineries and approximately 70 commercially-producing vineyards that cover a total of approximately {{convert|975|acres|ha|0}}. The distinguishing feature of the Laurelwood District is the predominance of the Laurelwood soil series.<ref name="Establish_NewAVAs">{{cite journal |url= https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/06/03/2020-10919/establishment-of-the-tualatin-hills-and-laurelwood-district-viticultural-areas| title=Establishment of the Tualatin Hills and Laurelwood District Viticultural Areas  | journal=Federal Register | publisher=[[Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau | Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB)]], [[United States Department of the Treasury|Treasury]]| date=2020-06-03  | format=27 CFR 9 [Docket No. TTB–2019–0003; T.D. TTB–160; Ref: Notice No. 181] RIN 1513–AC52 Final Rule  | pages=34095–34100 | volume=85 |issue=107 }}{{PD-notice}}</ref>

=== Lower Long Tom AVA ===
{{main article|Lower Long Tom AVA}}
The Lower Long Tom AVA was established in 2021. It is located in the southern [[Willamette Valley]] in [[Lane County, Oregon|Lane]] and [[Benton County, Oregon|Benton]] Counties, near the towns of [[Junction City, Oregon|Junction City]] and [[Monroe, Oregon|Monroe]].<ref name="Oregonlive"/> Its coverage is approximately {{convert|25000| acres|ha|0}} and contains 12 wineries and 24 commercially-producing vineyards that plant approximately {{convert|575|acres|ha|0}}. As of 2022, the Lower Long Tom is the only nested appellation located in the southern Willamette Valley AVA, in contrast to nine nested appellations in the north.<ref name="winebiz">{{cite web|last=Archer|first=LM|url= https://www.winebusiness.com/news/article/254085|website=Wine Business| title= Southern Willamette Valley Earns its First AVA |date=2021-12-12| access-date=2022-12-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221222045744/https://www.winebusiness.com/news/article/254085| archive-date=2022-12-22 | url-status=live}}</ref> The region is primarily known for its [[Pinot noir]] and [[Pinot gris]].<ref name="Oregonlive"/>

=== McMinnville AVA ===
{{main article|McMinnville AVA}}
The McMinnville AVA near [[McMinnville, Oregon|McMinnville]] was established in 2005, in the hills to the southwest of McMinnville, roughly running from McMinnville to [[Sheridan, Oregon|Sheridan]].  The AVA includes 14 wineries and {{convert|523|acre|ha|1}} of vineyards, and includes lands with elevations ranging from 200 to {{convert|1000|ft|m|-2}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2005/01/18/05-912/establishment-of-the-mcminnville-viticultural-area-2002r-217p |title=Establishment of the McMinnville Viticultural Area (2002R-217P)|website=Federal Register |date=January 18, 2005 |publisher=Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), Treasury}}{{PD-notice}}</ref><ref name="WillametteWines">{{cite web |url=http://www.willamettewines.com/avas.shtml |title=Willamette Valley AVAs |website=Willamette Valley Wineries|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060815120518/https://willamettewines.com/avas.shtml  |archive-date=2006-08-15}}</ref>

=== Mount Pisgah, Polk County, Oregon AVA ===
{{main article|Mount Pisgah, Polk County, Oregon AVA}}
Mount Pisgah, Polk County, Oregon viticultural area surrounds the city and county seat of [[Dallas, Oregon|Dallas]] in [[Polk County, Oregon|Polk County]]. It was established on June 3, 2022 by the [[Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau |Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB)]], [[United States Department of the Treasury|Treasury]] as the state's 23rd and 11th appellation in the Willamette Valley. It encompasses approximately {{cvt|5850|acre|sqmi|0}} and contains 10 commercial vineyards cultivating about {{cvt|648|acre}} under vine with two wineries. The viticultural area surrounds Mount Pisgah  ({{langx|he|פִּסְגָּה}}, ''pisgá'': [[wikt:%D7%A4%D7%A1%D7%92%D7%94|literally means]] "[[summit]]"), formed 65 million years ago as a sea floor volcano, covered by marine sediment and pushed up out of the ocean, among the hills of the Willamette Valley rising {{convert|260|to(-)|835|ft}} from the foothills to its peak. The long name was assigned to avoid confusion with another "Mount Pisgah" in a different county or state.<ref name="Mount_Pisgah_Establish">{{cite journal |url=https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2022-06-03/pdf/2022-11715.pdf |title=Establishment of the Mount Pisgah, Polk County, Oregon Viticultural Area| journal=[[Federal Register]] |date=2022-06-03 |publisher=Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), Treasury | volume=87|issue=107 | pages=33638-33642 |format= 27 CFR Part 9 [Docket No. TTB–2020–0008; T.D. TTB–180; Ref: Notice No. 193] RIN 1513–AC58 Final Rule | archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20230417190313/https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2022-06-03/pdf/2022-11715.pdf | archive-date=2023-04-17 | url-status=live}}{{PD-notice}}</ref><ref name="WillametteWines">{{cite web |url=http://www.willamettewines.com/avas.shtml |title=Willamette Valley AVAs |website=Willamette Valley Wineries|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060815120518/https://willamettewines.com/avas.shtml  |archive-date=2006-08-15}}</ref>

=== Ribbon Ridge AVA ===
{{main article|Ribbon Ridge AVA}}
The Ribbon Ridge AVA, between [[Newberg, Oregon|Newberg]] and [[Gaston, Oregon|Gaston]], is a ridge containing uplift of ocean sediment.  It lies at 45° 21' N, 123° 04' W, at the northwest end of the Chehalem Mountains.  The name originates in the 19th century.  The ridge is approximately {{convert|0.25|mi|km|2}} wide and {{convert|3.50|mi|km|2}} long, and is {{convert|3350|acre|ha|0}} in area, with {{convert|500|acre|ha}} planted on 20 vineyards.<ref name="WillametteWines"/>  It is estimated that between {{convert|1000|acre|ha|0}} and {{convert|1400|acre|ha|0}} in the region is suitable for planting.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ribbonridge.com/default.cfm?action=display&Essay_ID=138|title=Ribbon Ridge AVA  |website=Ribbon Ridge Vineyard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060105095903/https://www.ribbonridge.com/default.cfm?action=display&Essay_ID=138  |archive-date=2006-01-05}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2005/06/01/05-10881/establishment-of-the-ribbon-ridge-viticultural-area-2002r-215p |title=Establishment of the Ribbon Ridge Viticultural Area (2002R-215P)|website=Federal Register |date=June 1, 2005|publisher=Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), Treasury}}{{PD-notice}}</ref>

=== Tualatin Hills AVA ===
{{main article|Tualatin Hills AVA}}
The Tualatin Hills AVA was established in May 2020 and is located in the upland hills of the [[Tualatin River]] [[drainage basin|watershed]] and encompasses elevations between {{convert|200 and 1000|ft|m|0}}. To the south and southeast are the Chehalem Mountains, which includes elevations of over {{convert|1000|ft|m|0}}, are considered to be a separate, distinct landform from the Tualatin Hills. The AVA is approximately {{convert|144000|acre|sqmi|0}} with 33 commercially-producing vineyards covering approximately {{convert|860.5|acre|ha|0}} and 21 wineries.  The distinguishing features of Tualatin Hills are its soils, elevation and climate.<ref name="Establish_NewAVAs"/>

=== Van Duzer Corridor AVA ===
{{main article|Van Duzer Corridor AVA}}
Van Duzer Corridor is located in [[Polk County, Oregon|Polk County]] just west of [[Eola-Amity Hills AVA]] encompassing approximately {{cvt|59871|acre|sqmi|0}}. The AVA is known for its low elevations, gently rolling hills, cool breezes from the [[Pacific Ocean]] and soils which are primarily uplifted marine sedimentary loams and silts with alluvial overlay. The AVA was established in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2018/12/14/2018-27017/establishment-of-the-van-duzer-corridor-viticultural-area-and-clarification-of-the-eola-amity-hills|title=Establishment of the Van Duzer Corridor Viticultural Area and Clarification of the Eola-Amity Hills Viticultural Area Boundary Description |date=December 14, 2018|website=Federal Register|publisher=Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, Treasury  |language=en}}{{PD-notice}}</ref>

=== Yamhill-Carlton District AVA ===
{{main article|Yamhill-Carlton District AVA}}
The Yamhill-Carlton District AVA is located in the area surrounding the towns of [[Yamhill, Oregon|Yamhill]] and [[Carlton, Oregon|Carlton]].  Only grapes grown in vineyards with elevations ranging from {{convert|200|ft|m|-2}} to {{convert|1000|ft|m|-2}} may be used to produce wines that bear the appellation name on their labels.  The AVA includes over {{convert|1200|acre|ha|0}} of vineyard, and the region is in the [[rain shadow]] of the {{convert|3500|ft|m|-2}} Oregon Coast Range, a short distance to the west.   The AVA was established in 2005.<ref name="WillametteWines"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2004/12/09/04-27016/establishment-of-the-yamhill-carlton-district-viticultural-area-2002r-216p|title=Establishment of the Yamhill-Carlton District Viticultural Area (2002R-216P)|website=Federal Register |date=October 7, 2003|publisher=Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, Treasury}}{{PD-notice}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://wine.appellationamerica.com/wine-region/Yamhill-Carlton-District.html|title=Yamhill Carlton District (AVA): Appellation Profile|website=Appellation America|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130908092013/http://wine.appellationamerica.com/wine-region/Yamhill-Carlton-District.html |archive-date=2013-09-08}}</ref>
{{clear right}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://www.willamettewines.com/about-the-valley/ava-overviews/willamette-valley/ Willamette Valley AVA]
*[https://www.ttb.gov/AVA/ TTB AVA Map]


{{Oregon wine}}
{{coord|45.351262994|-123.06958525|format=dms|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-OR_dim:27000}}

[[Category:American Viticultural Areas of Oregon]]
[[Category:Willamette Valley]]
[[Category:1984 establishments in Oregon]]