Q: What is Appellation Oregon?
A: Appellation Oregon is a collaboration among 15 like-minded Oregon wineries that have come together to form a wine tasting room at the Oregon Convention Center.
Q: Can you explain the word Appellation?
A: Appellation is the identifying name or title used to designate a particular wine-growing region. In Oregon we currently have six geographically designated wine growing regions which have been officially recognized by the USDA. The largest appellation is the Willamette Valley, a fertile river valley located at the northwest end of the state. It is also the part of the state, which houses two-thirds of Oregon’s population. The principal varietals grown here include Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay and Riesling.
To the south is the Umpqua Valley. With natural drainage and a warm climate, this appellation produces Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Tempranillo and many others.
Even further south is the Rogue Valley. With a dry, warm climate, and plenty of elevation, Rogue varietals include all those varieties found in the Umpqua.
The Applegate Valley is another Oregon appellation found within the Rogue Valley. Dry and warm, it is well suited for Cabernet Franc, Semillon, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
Along Oregon’s northern border, to the east of the Willamette Valley, are two appellations shared with neighboring Washington state: the Columbia Valley and the Walla Walla Valley. As these regions are relatively hot and dry, they are well suited for growing heartier varietals such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Riesling.
In addition, there are three new appellations in Yamhill County: Yamhill Carlton, McMinnville, and Red Hills of Dundee, and one only just approved in the Umpqua Valley: Red Hill.
Q: Is there an Appellation Oregon vineyard?
A: No. Appellation Oregon is the name for this wine tasting room. The wines featured are made by local, participating Oregon wineries, each usually drawing on a number of different vineyards throughout Oregon for their grapes.
Q: Are these the best wines from Oregon?
A: Over 300 wineries in Oregon produce wines from over 40 different grape varietals. The 15 participating wineries are representative of some of the larger and better-known Oregon producers like Erath Vineyards and Willamette Valley Vineyards, and some of the smaller, more boutique wineries such as Carter Vineyards, Belle Vallee Cellars and Viento Wines. This gives visitors who are not able to make the trip to one of Oregon’s wine producing regions, a well-rounded selection of the different varietals and styles available currently.
Q: How were the wines chosen?
A: The wines represented here are selected by the wine makers who see this project as an opportunity to create a special showcase for their products. They all proactively volunteered for their wines to be featured at Appellation Oregon, and the selections from each winery will change periodically.
