For years, Oregon’s Willamette Valley has been a classic destination for wine lovers across the country and around the world. With an ideal climate, clean and sustainable growing standards, and a rich culture of boutique wineries, the Willamette Valley is an ideal wine oasis for those looking for a unique and intimate tasting experience.
Whether you have a long-held passion for wine or are looking to expand your horizons and find a quiet adventure in Oregon’s beautiful landscapes, keep reading to discover more about the secrets of growing wine in the Willamette Valley, and why this region produces some of the world’s most irresistible and organically-grown wines.
An Ideal Environment for Cool-Climate Grapes
The Willamette Valley is the center of wine production in Oregon, with over 70% of the region’s wine grown there. Stretching 150 miles from north to south, the region is classed as a cool maritime climate. The valley enjoys mild weather throughout the year, with cool wet winters and drier summer months marked by lots of sunshine during the day and cooler evenings. This makes it an ideal environment for growing earlier-ripening wines.
The temperate climate in the Willamette Valley, with its marine influence due to ocean breezes that make their way through the coastal mountain range, is the perfect scenario for cool-climate grapes. Oregon isn’t known for its sunny weather. However, the shorter daylight hours during the winter months mean more hours of sunlight during summers. During the growing season, warm days and cool nights create a unique temperature swing that allows grapes to maintain their natural acidity while also enriching their intricate and unique flavor.
The Rich History of Pinot Noir
The nearly 600 wineries that have made their home in the Willamette Valley are known to produce exquisite varieties of Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Gris, and Riesling. There’s no doubt, however, that the chance to taste Oregon Pinot Noirs is what brings wine lovers from near and far to the valley.
In the 1960s, the region’s first Pinot Noirs were released by a few of the early Willamette Valley wine pioneers David Lett, Charles Coury, and Dick Erath. They ignored their critics who insisted that growing grapes for wine in Oregon was impossible. In the years that followed, wineries continued to pop up in the region and Willamette Valley wine began to make a name for itself, with Pinot Noir as its crown jewel.
The early pioneers and the many entrepreneurs that followed put decades of hard work and passion into researching the best sites, soils, clones, and non-intrusive winemaking techniques to perfect the production of Pinot Noir in the valley. Just about every vineyard and winery in the region has its own take on this Willamette Valley staple, and wine tourists from all over the world travel to Oregon for a taste (or several).
Biodynamic Farming and Sustainable Wines
The Pacific Northwest is known for its gorgeous landscape and rich environment, and sustainability and preserving agricultural integrity has always been a priority for Willamette Valley wineries.
Many wineries throughout the valley hold themselves to biodynamic farming standards, taking a holistic and organic approach that does not include harmful chemicals such as pesticides, fungicides, or synthetic fertilizers. Biodynamic farming not only preserves and protects surrounding landscapes and ecosystems but also improves the quality of grapes and the overall well-being of vineyards, leading to more refined and naturally flavorful wines.
Thousands of Oregon vineyard acres are certified sustainably farmed and the Willamette Valley continues to be a leader in protecting Oregon’s rich and fruitful landscapes. As an ideal environment for cultivating wine, the Willamette Valley holds itself to the highest standards of sustainability in order to preserve the natural environment and produce pure and delicious wine for years to come.
A Culture of Boutique Wineries
One of the most unique and charming aspects of Oregon’s wine country is that its beautiful rolling hills are dotted with an abundance of independent, boutique wineries.
While many wine regions across the country and around the world are trending further and further toward a model of larger-than-life wine enterprises, Oregon’s vineyards tend to be small, quiet, and founded by independent, local, and largely self-taught growers and producers.
This has been the case for decades, from the pioneering years to today. The annual output of a typical winery in Oregon is significantly below the national average. Even today, after the region has made a real name for itself, the average Oregon winery only produces about 4,600 12-bottle cases per year.
Since many of the region’s wineries are so small and produce such unique and diverse varieties, some of the best Oregon wines are rarely, if ever, shipped out of the state. Visiting Oregon’s boutique wineries to taste these hidden gems is the perfect adventure for wine lovers looking for an intimate, authentic, and unique experience.
Get started planning your trip to the Willamette Valley and explore our wine country guides for popular areas to taste Oregon wine:
- McMinnville Oregon Wine Country Visitors Guide
- Dundee Oregon Wine Country Visitors Guide
- Newberg Oregon Wine Country Visitors Guide
Taste Oregon’s Best Wines For Yourself, In Style
If you want the opportunity to visit the hidden-gem wineries of the Willamette Valley and taste some of the world’s best Pinot Noirs, Rieslings, and Chardonnays in style, you’ve come to the right place.
Tour DeVine offers a fun, exciting, and intimate wine-tasting experience like no other with our helicopter wine tours! We’ll chauffeur you from one winery to the next by air, as you soar above the gorgeous rolling hills of the valley and taste amazing wines.
So skip the designated driver and take to the skies! Contact us online or give us a call at (503) 687-3816 and book your tour today!