Willamette Valley

By far the most popular region in Oregon is the Willamette Valley in the state's northwest. It is the state's largest AGM, with seven sub-denominationals prized for high-quality, Burgundy-style Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris.

With nearly 20,000 acres (8,094 hectares) planted with vineyards, this region was established as an AVA in 1983. More than 20 years later, the uniqueness of the different soil, climate and growing areas was firmly established, and six smaller areas were given their own appellation status between 2005 and 2006: Dundee-Hills, Yamhill-Carlton, Ribbon Ridge, McMinnville, Eola- Amity Hills and Chehalem Mountains.

With top quality Pinot Noir being grown and produced, the area has gained recognition from top Burgundy, and producers such as Maisons Joseph Drouhin and Louis Jadot, who both bought land and planted vineyards here and we are currently seeing the reverse as well, buying Oregon wineries now prestigious wineries in Burgundy such as Domaine Serene which has bought Domaine Christian Confuron & Fils and Château de la Crée. The region is on the same latitude, so it is not surprising that the Pinot Noir, Chardonnay but also the Pinot Gris, Riesling, Pinot Blanc and Gewürztraminer thrive in this relatively cool climate. It is also the AVA (appellation) with a high social responsibility because more than 50 percent of the vineyards are grown sustainably.