Oregon has a long tradition of formal and civic observances of Memorial Day, the last Monday of every May that the federal government asks citizens to set aside work to remember those who have died during their U.S. military service. People attend parades and gather for programs held at local cemeteries or memorials. Volunteers, relatives and friends place flags and flowers on graves of American military veterans. Wine lovers in Oregon can find plenty to do on Memorial Day and the weekend preceding, [...]

Although it was a few snowstorms ago, winemakers often are so busy during harvest they can’t afford to stop to sum it all up until winter hits Oregon. And hit it has. During the 2023 harvest, winemakers across Oregon faced a season unfolding differently for each, turning challenges into opportunities to do what they do best—make beautiful wine. Winemakers reporting a warm May in Oregon had Clive Pursehouse at Decanter surmising, “In a region known for producing [...]

Michael Alberty, who writes about wine for The Oregonian/OregonLive and Wine Enthusiast Magazine, saw a definite theme in 2023 with Top 100 lists – there is a whole lotta Oregon in there. Alberty penned this article and we are congratulating Oregon winemakers by sharing it with permission from the author. Read the original version [...]

As we approach Father’s Day, you’ll see lots of stories about last minute gifts for dads, but how about the Oregon winemaker fathers who work with their kids day in and day out, guiding these second-generation winemakers into greatness?   Here’s a handful from around the state:  Founded by Ted Gerber in 1974, Foris Vineyards has been a true viticultural pioneer for five decades. Ted’s daughter Alicia Gerber [...]

Note: This article was written by Sarah Murdoch and originally appeared in the Oregon Wine Press While winemakers are busy harvesting grapes, key wine publications are also busy weighing in on top wines they’ve tasted over the course of a year. Many publish Top 100 aggregated articles of the wines they enjoyed imbibing the most, from the tens of thousands of wines they tasted.  Two wine publications— [...]

It was a year of triumph for some and recovery for others across Oregon, with weather oddities that seemed to self-correct through harvest in many ways. Many winemakers reported it was a return to normal, or a classic Oregon vintage. In WineSearcher, Jim Bernau, founder and CEO of Willamette Valley Vineyards said: “It reminded me of the way it used to be…when I first started back in ’83, this was routine, those first 15 years. We didn [...]

Oregon Wines on the World’s Most Prestigious Lists Oregon only produces 0.15% of the world’s wine, yet represents 6% and 5% of last year’s most prestigious awards lists. Six Oregon wines made the Wine Spectator Top 100, five made the Wine Enthusiast Top 100. Further, two were honored on the [...]

Lower Long Tom, the newest appellation in Oregon, just received federal recognition as Oregon’s 22nd American Viticultural Area (AVA). Courtesy Benton-Lane Winery Drawn to reflect distinct soil, topography, and climate attributes, Lower Long Tom joins nine other Oregon AVAs within the larger Willamette Valley AVA, and is the first in the Southern Willamette Valley. Eugene, OR by Joey Hamilton Located just northwest of Eugene, Lower Long Tom is characterized by a chain of rolling hills separated by east-to-west valleys, cut by the tributa [...]

The Oregon Wine Board and its allied wine associations throughout the state remain firmly invested in ensuring Oregon is a safe and welcoming place for all to live, work, and visit. Oregon’s wine community embraces all that makes this place special. We see our values reflected in the dedicated work of farmers, winemakers, and thousands of other skilled professionals who call this industry home. Recent events have brought attention to Oregon, calling on us to recommit to a deeply valued aspect of life here: diversity. Circumstances also demand [...]

Anna Campbell Today the Willamette Valley became only the second American wine region to receive Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) Status in the European Union. It’s a major breakthrough in global brand awareness and a milestone for the Valley’s many hardworking winegrowers and winemakers. The PGI system protects iconic names of agricultural products, spirit drinks, and wines with a link to their geographical origin, including well-known products such as Champagne and Barolo. Only two American wine regions, Napa Valley and now the Willame [...]