Oregon wineries are generally small and decentralized. Most are located in valleys between the Cascade Mountains (stretching the entire length of the state) to the east and Oregon's Coastal Range to the west.

TIP:  If you plan on visiting West Coast wineries in Washington, Oregon or California any time in the next 12 months, be sure to get your Priority Wine Pass first.  It's good for a full year of complimentary or 2-for-1 tastings ─ along with other VIP membership benefits ─ at hundreds of premium wineries.   WinesNorthwest users get a $20.00 discount off an annual $59.99 membership.

       As their numbers grow, however, wineries throughout Oregon's various wine-growing regions are tending to choose locations near established wineries, making it more attractive and convenient than ever for visitors to stop in at multiple wineries each touring day.  An even newer trend sees wineries opening satellite tasting rooms in towns along primary wine-touring routes, expanding the number of tasting and buying opportunities within these small towns and creating what many call wine towns. Lodging and dining opportunities are also expanding to cater to the tastes and needs of wine-country travelers.

Choose a Region

     The northwest portion of Oregon wine country is celebrated for its cool-climate grape varieties, including Pinot Gris, Riesling, Chardonnay, and especially Pinot noir.  The Southern Oregon appellation (AVA) starts south of Eugene and includes the Umpqua Valley AVA, the Red Hill Douglas County AVA, the Elkton Oregon AVA, the Applegate Valley AVA and the Rogue Valley AVA, all of which are located west of the Cascades and east of the Coast Range. 

       The regions of Southern Oregon, along with the eastern portion of the Columbia Gorge AVA, are generally much warmer and significantly drier than those of the northwestern quadrant of Oregon State where the pinot noir vineyards of the Willamette Valley AVA thrive. 

     It wasn't until early 2005 that the significantly warmer terroir of southwest Oregon was given its due for its distinctly different wine growing area, and the federally authorized Southern Oregon American Viticultural Area was established with its boundaries set to encompass the previously authorized regions of the Umpqua, the Applegate and the Rogue valleys. 

       Southern Oregon offers a rich variety of  "micro climates" as does the eastern portion of the Columbia Gorge AVA.  The breadth of terroir types in these regions makes it possible to grow a wide variety of grapes sometimes within only miles of each other.  Distinctive vineyard locations in these areas are capable of nurturing high-quality Bordeaux and Rhone grape varieties, as well as French Burgundian varieties such as Pinot noir and Chardonnay.  

Note:  The Columbia Gorge AVA straddles the Columbia River and includes portions of both the Oregon and Washington State.  The area was authorized as an official American Viticultural Area (AVA) for both states in June 2004.

See the most recent map of Oregon AVAs from Oregon Wine Center

      The Willamette Valley AVA/appellation is Oregon's largest wine region, stretching from Portland in northern Oregon to Eugene, more than 100 miles.  Most of the region's wineries are located west of Interstate 5.  The largest concentration of  Oregon wineries is located in the Northern portion of this region.
  

    When the Willamette Valley AVA was first authorized 1984, its geographic description included some 3.3 million acres!  Twenty years later, winemakers and wine growers succeeded in submitting applications for approval of six sub appellations within the Willamette Valley, sub appellations that include micro climates proven over the years to be distinct from the Willamette Valley as a whole, and suited for the growing of various wine grapes.  McMinnville Foothills, Dundee Hills, Ribbon Ridge and Yamhill-Carlton were all authorized as official American Viticultural Areas (AVA) in the first quarter of 2005; the Eola-Amity Hills AVA was authorized later that year in August, and the Chehalem Mountains  AVA became official on December 27, 2006.

       In February 2005, federal authorization also was passed for the Southern Oregon AVA.  It was distinct from other recent State-AVA designations in that it defined a macro appellation that completely encompassed previously authorized appellations in the southwestern part of the state.  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 2013, Elkton Oregon AVA was authorized; it lies entirely within the Umpqua Valley of the Southern Oregon AVAs. 

       Appellations on the east side of Oregon's Cascade Mountains include the eastern portion of the Columbia Gorge AVA and small, southern portions of the of both the Columbia Valley and Walla Walla Valley AVAs.  The Rocks District of Milton-Freewater AVA is also on the east side of the Cascades and lies completely within the Oregon portion of the Walla Walla Valley AVA. 

       If you plan to drive from western to eastern Oregon, you might want to use Interstate 84, which uses the sea-level path of the Columbia River to traverse the Cascades along the northern edge of the state.  Using this route, you'll drive through the spectacular Columbia Gorge wine region where you'll find wineries to visit on both the Oregon and the Washington side of the Columbia River.  On the east side of the state, you'll find a few more wineries to visit outside official state appellations in the Bend, Mt Vernon and Le Grande areas.

Touring Oregon Wine Regions

  The map and links below allow you to explore the wineries of each wine region within Oregon, as well as a few outside official appellations. You will also find details about nearby lodging and dining in each region, special events and touring opportunities.

        Click on the Oregon region of your choice.

Appellations Shared with Washington

    
       

Appellation Shared with Idaho

TIP:  If you plan on visiting West Coast wineries in Washington, Oregon or California any time in the next 12 months, be sure to get your Priority Wine Pass first.  It's good for a full year of complimentary or 2-for-1 tastings ─ along with other VIP membership benefits ─ at hundreds of premium wineries.  WinesNorthwest users get a $20.00 discount off an annual $59.99 membership.

Oregon Wine Facts

Number of Wineries

           2018 - 770+
          
           2015 - 702
           2013 - 544
           2012 - 500+
           2011 - 419
           2010 - 400
           2008 - 350+
           2005 - 303
           2003 - 250
           2001 - 174
           2000 - 135
           1990  -  71
           1986  -  47
           1980  -  34
           1976  -  11
           1970  -   5  

Vinifera Acreage   
Planted   

Wine Sales

2018 (as of 8/11/18)
3.9 million cases
2016 Sales
3.4  million cases
2014 Sales
3.0 million cases
2013 Sales
2.8 million cases
2010 Sales
1.9 million cases
2009 Sales
1,660,202 - cases
2008 Sales
1,748,282 - cases
2007 Sales
1,711,532 cases
2006 Sales
1,590,357 cases
2003 Sales
1,199,086 cases
2001 Sales
1,000,000+ cases
1999 Sales
777,890 cases
1994 Sales
612,512 cases

72 varieties of wine grapes
are grown in Oregon State

Major Varieties

Pinot noir, Pinot gris,
Chardonnay, Syrah,
Cabernet sauvignon, Riesling, Merlot, Tempranillo,
Pinot blanc, Viognier,
Cabernet franc, Malbec,
Gewürztraminer, Sauvignon blanc, Müller Thurgau

Additional Varieties

Arneis, Baco noir,
Chenin blanc, Dolcetto, Gamay noir, Grenache, Malbec, Maréchal Foch, Muscat, Nebbiolo, Petite Petit Verdot, Sangiovese, Semillon, Zinfandel

Ratio of Red to White 2017 production:

67% / 33%

2016 Wine Industry
Economic Impact

The sum of all Oregon's economic activity related directly or indirectly to wine is more than $5.61 billion.

OFFICIAL AMERICAN VITICULTURAL AREAS OF OREGON

Willamette Valley AVA
(1983)

Sub Appellations of the Willamette Valley AVA

Dundee Hills
(2005)
McMinnville Foothills
(2005)
Ribbon Ridge
(2005)
Yamhill-Carlton
(2005)
Eola-Amity Hills
(2005)
Chehalem Mountains
(2006)

Southern Oregon AVA
(2005)

Sub Appellations
of Southern OR AVA

Applegate Valley
(2001)
Elkton Oregon
(2013)
Red Hill Douglas County
(2005)
Rogue Valley
(1990)
Umpqua Valley
(1984)

Shared with
Washington State

Columbia Gorge AVA
Columbia Valley AVA
Walla Walla Valley AVA

Sub Appellation
of the Walla Walla AVA but
entirely within Oregon:
The Rocks District of
Milton-Freewater AVA