The February 2005 federal authorization of the Southern Oregon AVA
(American Viticultural Area) was distinct from other recently designated AVAs in that it defined a kind of macro appellation that completely encompasses previously authorized appellations in Southern Oregon; the Umpqua Valley (1984) and Red Hill Douglas County  (2005) AVAs, the Rogue Valley AVA (1991) and the Applegate Valley AVA (2001) now all lie within the boundaries of the newer two-million-acre appellation of Southern Oregon in the southwest portion of Oregon State. 

       If you are a newcomer to Oregon State wine country, be sure to leave preconceived notions of Oregon climate wine grape varietals behind when you visit Southern Oregon.  Taken as a whole, the wine country of Southern Oregon generally is more Mediterranean in climate than the cool-climate growing region of the Willamette Valley AVA to the north. 

       You don't have to be a geologist to notice the significant change of the world outside your vehicle's window as you leave Eugene, Oregon, and head south.  The countryside begins to roll gently, as the flatland of the 3.3-million-acrea Willamette Valley ends, and the Southern Oregon appellation begins.  State highways leave Interstate 5 and meander west along valley floors and hillsides, next to rivers and creeks, all combining to support a fascinating assortment of micro climates throughout Southern Oregon.

       Generally hot, dry summers and cool evenings bring ideal conditions for numerous grape varietals including  pinot noir, merlot, cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, pinot gris, syrah, chardonnay, dolcetto, grenache, petit verdot, riesling, tempranillo, gewürztraminer, viognier and others.  Southern Oregon's warm-weather varietals are grown with blending in mind, and more recently planted grapes such as rousanne and marsanne are making an already colorful palate even more interesting.

       The overarching Southern Oregon appellation includes the cities of Sutherlin, Roseburg, Grants Pass, Medford, and Ashland, all of which evoke thoughts of vacations and lots of outdoor experiences in the hearts of those who previously have visited this beautiful region.  Travelers will find a wide choice of  amenities...  historic inns and lodges, riverside hotels and B&Bs, long-established local diners as well as gourmet and bistro dining in small, historic towns like Jacksonville and Oakland.

       You will want to use these cities as your home base for lots of wine-country venturing.  More than 3,000 vineyard acres and assortment of 70 wineries are thriving throughout the Southern Oregon appellation, and many more are on the way.

Total AVA Acreage:
2,001,782 acres

Vineyard Acres:
13,000

Grape Varietals

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Navigating the Southern Oregon AVA
and its sub appellations

Click on the sub appellation of your choice below
to access detailed maps with winery locations.

To print just this map, place your cursor over the map,
right click and choose PRINT from the menu.