7 Oregon Wine Regions Worth Getting Excited About (2024)

Post Overview: Guide to Oregon Wine Country & Oregon Wine Regions Worth Knowing About

On brand with Oregon’s reputation for scrappiness, Oregon’s wine country has humble beginnings. A handful of dreamers decided to take a chance on the Willamette Valley and ended up establishing one of the premier Pinot Noir regions in the world.

Since then, Oregon’s wine regions have spread across the state. From the sunny climate of Southern Oregon to the cool nights and marine influence of the Willamette Valley, the variety of Oregon’s wines span the gamut.

Growing more than 100 varieties of grapes, Oregon is now the 4th-most wine producing state in the county. All this to say, Oregonians are spoiled for choice, so let’s cover the important wine regions in Oregon worth knowing about.

Where to Stay While Exploring Oregon Wine Country

Oregon’s most popular wine region is the Willamette Valley. As such, this is the area most locals and out-of-town visitors gravitate to. If you find yourself in the same boat, you may be wondering where to stay while exploring Oregon wine country, well, McMinnville has my vote.

The location can’t be beat and the town has plenty of restaurants and hotels to choose from, not to mention some beautiful tasting rooms. Here’s my favorite hotel in the area.

Top Wine Regions in Oregon

Willamette Valley

The state’s pride and joy, the Willamette Valley is considered Oregon’s most prominent wine region. The area has a reputation for producing some of the finest Pinot Noir in the world.

Established in the 1960s, the valley’s wine industry burgeoned with the pioneering efforts of visionaries such as David Lett of Eyrie Vineyards and Dick Erath, who recognized the Willamette Valley’s potential for cool-climate wines.

Today, the region is peppered with more than 500 wineries, ranging from small family-owned estates to internationally acclaimed producers. What makes this Oregon wine region so unique is the geographical reach. Nestled between the Oregon coast to the west and Cascade Range to the east, the area spans more than 150 miles.

The valley’s distinct terroir, characterized by marine influence and volcanic soil, creates an ideal environment for growing Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and other cool-climate varietals. The Dundee Hills, Yamhill-Carlton, and Ribbon Ridge sub-appellations are revered for their prized vineyards.

Wine aside, the Willamette Valley offers a picturesque landscape of rolling hills, quaint towns, and unmatched hospitality, making it a must-visit for those exploring Oregon wine country.

Word to the wise: You’ll want to reserve tastings well in advance if visiting the Willamette Valley during the summer because it’s so popular. You may also enjoy reading: .

Where to stay near Willamette Valley: I suggest staying in McMinnville, here’s the hotel I typically stay at.

The Columbia Gorge

While the Willamette Valley is the most famous wine region in Oregon, the Columbia Gorge is my personal favorite for a few reasons.

First, the area is stunning. Surrounded by valleys, forests, charming farms and epic mountain views, this is one of the prettiest parts of the state. Second, the variety of Oregon wines churning out of the Columbia Gorge is impressive.

Home to more than 40 wineries, the unique micro-climate created by the convergence of the Columbia River Gorge’s steep cliffs and the surrounding Cascade Mountains provides ideal conditions for grape cultivation.

Known for its cool nights and warm days, the region produces a wide array of grape varieties, including Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah, Gewürztraminer, and Zinfandel.

The best part? Being a mere 1.5 hour drive from Portland makes this one of the most accessible wine regions in Oregon. You May Enjoy Reading: 15 Charming Hood River Wineries

Where to stay in the Columbia River Gorge: I suggest staying in Hood River (this is my favorite hotel in town).

Walla Walla Valley

The Walla Walla wine region in Oregon, although often associated with its namesake in Washington, is a quickly-growing viticultural area known for exceptional wines. Historically, Walla Walla’s wine industry traces its roots back to the 1850s, when Italian immigrants first planted vineyards in the area.

However, it wasn’t until the 1970s that modern winemaking began to take hold, with pioneers like Gary Figgins of Leonetti Cellar paving the way for the region’s success.

Today, Walla Walla is home to over 120 wineries and nearly 3,000 acres of vineyards, predominantly focused on Bordeaux and Rhône varietals.

The region’s soil composition, characterized by ancient flood deposits, contributes to the complexity and depth of its wines, particularly its acclaimed Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, and Cabernet Franc. Once considered a hidden gem, the Walla Walla Valley AVA is being actively sought out by wine enthusiasts today.

Snake River Valley

Officially established in 2007, Snake River Valley is one of the newest wine regions in Oregon. Found along the Snake River dividing Oregon and Idaho, the region encompasses over 1,000 acres of vineyards, primarily focused on cool-climate varietals such as Riesling, Chardonnay, Syrah, and Cabernet Franc.

The valley’s high elevation, volcanic soils, and diurnal temperature shifts contribute to the production of wines characterized by vibrant acidity, pronounced fruit flavors, and expressive terroir. The Snake River Valley in one of the most underrated wine regions in Oregon.

Southern Oregon Wine Regions

Home to more than 150 wineries, the varying microclimates of southern Oregon have parceled the area into five distinct wine producing sub regions: Rogue Valley, Applegate Valley, Umpqua Valley, Illinois Valley and Elkton. Let’s discuss them below.

Rogue Valley

One of the driest wine regions in Oregon, the scenery alone attracts visitors from all parts of the state to the Rogue Valley. There’s around 32 wineries in the area and most are found along three tributaries that feed the Illinois River, Bear Creek and Applegate River.

Ranging from warm, sunny days to cool, foggy mornings, there’s a wide array of grape varieties thriving in the region. Robust wines such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, and Tempranillo, alongside aromatic whites like Viognier and Riesling.

Rogue Valley Wineries to Visit:

• Eden Vale Winery
• 2 Hawk Vineyards & Winery
• Troon
• Quady North
• Cowbell

Applegate Valley

The Applegate Valley is found in the southern reach of the state, surrounded by the charming towns of Ashland and Jacksonville. There’s about 18 wineries in the area, which makes this one of the smallest wine regions in Oregon.

The region is celebrated for its exceptional Rhône-style wines, particularly Syrah, Grenache, and Viognier, alongside other varietals like Tempranillo, Cabernet Franc, and Chardonnay.

Here’s some of the best wineries in the Applegate Valley:

• Red Lily
• Schmidt Family Vineyards
• Irvine
• Roberts
• Hummingbird Estates
• Rellik
• LongSword Vineyard

Where to stay for the wineries in the Applegate Valley: I suggest staying in Jacksonville (here’s the hotel I recommend).

Umpqua Valley

Of all the wine regions in Oregon, it can be argued that Umpqua Valley is the least accessible and, outside of Oregon wine country, doesn’t offer much by way of tourism.

Found along the basin of the Umpqua River, the potential for wine making started to take root in the 1960s, with early adopters like Richard Sommer founding Oregon’s first post-Prohibition winery, HillCrest Vineyard.

Today, the Umpqua Valley AVA encompasses diverse microclimates, ranging from cooler coastal influences in the west to warmer inland valleys in the east, allowing for the cultivation of a wide array of grape varieties like Tempranillo, Syrah, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Oregon Wine Regions FAQ

Oregon Wine Country (Post Summary)

In sum, here’s a roundup of the wine regions in Oregon.

1. Willamette Valley
2. Columbia Gorge
3. Snake River Valley
4. Walla Walla
5. Rogue Valley
6. Applegate Valley
7. Umpqua Valley

Map of Oregon wine regions | Oregon Wine Country

Cheers!