Oregon

With only 50 years of wine history, Oregon ranks fourth in the country in wine production and third in number of wineries. The state's 18 wine regions grow more than 70 grape varieties in a wide range of climatic and soil conditions. The Columbia Gorge, Columbia Valley, and Walla Walla Valley in the northeast of the state are shared with Washington state, while the Snake River Valley is shared with Idaho. A wide variety of grapes are grown in these areas, ranging from the warm climate of Zinfandel to the cold climate of the Riesling. In the southern part of the state, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Syrah thrive in the warmer climate of southern Oregon and in the valleys of the Rogue, Umpqua and Applegate. Red Hills Douglas County is home to a single vineyard on similar soils to the Willamette Valley, but with warmer temperatures, resulting in a richer wine style.

Oregon lies largely in front of the high coastal mountains and has a dry climate. Together with California, the states of Oregon and Washington form the 'West Coast' of the US. Oregon and Washington are located north of California, around the 45th parallel. That is on the same level as Bordeaux and Bourgogne. The Columbiar River largely forms the boundary between Oregon and Washington. Oregon is warm during the day but has cold nights. Oregon is a great environment for pinot noir and pinot gris. The Willamette Valley has even become an international mecca for Pinot Noir aficionados. In 1847 the first grapes were planted in Oregon and in 1850 the first winery was established in Jacksonville. It wasn't until the 1960s that the wine industry took off here when California winemakers opened several vineyards. In the 1970s, winemakers from other states came to Oregon and Oregon developed a wine industry. The flagship from Ortegon is without doubt Domaine Serene, which now also owns Château de la Crée and Domaine Christian Confuron & Fils.