Oregon Wine Resource Studio
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The Umpqua and Rogue valleys of Southern Oregon are home to the first vineyards in the state. Master of Wine Bree Stock reveals what it is about this diverse region that captured the imaginations of Oregon’s early winegrowers and why 60 years later it continues to be a region of varietal diversity and unlimited discovery.
Established: 1984
Total Area: 693,300 acres (280,600 ha)
Planted Area: 3,605 acres (1,460 ha)*
Predominant Soils: Stream sediments, marine sedimentary bedrock, volcanic
Predominant Varieties: Pinot noir, Pinot gris, Syrah, Tempranillo, Merlot, Albariño
*Updated Feb. 2021
The Umpqua Valley AVA sits between the Coast Range to the west and the Cascade Range to the east, with the Willamette Valley AVA to the north and the Rogue Valley AVA to the south. The appellation stretches 65 miles (105 km) from north to south, and is 25 miles (40 km) wide east to west.
The complex topography of the Umpqua Valley is a result of the collision of three mountain ranges of varying age and structure: the Klamath Mountains, the Coast Range and the Cascades. Many say the area should not be thought of as a single valley, but rather “The Hundred Valleys of the Umpqua” because it is made up of a series of interconnecting small mountain ranges and valleys.
One of Oregon’s more diverse climates, the Umpqua Valley can successfully grow both cool and warm varieties. It comprises three distinct climatic sub-zones:
Umpqua Valley soils are as varied as the climate. Generally, they are derived from a mix of stream sediments, marine sedimentary and volcanic rock, though more than 150 soil types have been identified in the region.
The diversity of this region has inspired a culture of experimentation with varieties not grown elsewhere in Oregon: Garnacha, Albariño, Malbec, Petit Verdot and more.
Region History:
The Umpqua Valley’s winegrowing history dates back to the 1880s when German immigrants who had worked for the Beringer Bros., the oldest continuously operating vineyard in Napa, planted the first wine grape vineyard in the Valley. Post-Prohibition, Richard Sommer established HillCrest Vineyard near Roseburg in 1961. He was the first to plant Pinot noir in Oregon despite being told by his UC Davis cohorts that it was impossible to successfully grow wine grapes in Oregon. During the 1970s, new wineries opened, including Henry Estate Winery, whose winemaker Scott Henry developed a now world-famous vine trellis system, which increases grape yield, among other benefits. The Umpqua Valley appellation continues to evolve as new winemakers discover the area, bringing with them a passion for innovation and world-class wine. The Umpqua Valley appellation became official in 1984.
Taste any of the superb wines from the Southern Oregon AVA and you’ll understand why many writers are talking about this region as Oregon’s “next big thing.” Southern Oregon has been garnering attention for its wide range of outstanding wines: Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, Tempranillo, Pinot noir, Viognier and more. With 170 microclimates and five AVAs defined by four rivers, Southern Oregon is a region of discovery and experimentation. Among the rolling hills and lush valleys of this rugged region, Southern Oregon winemakers are, quietly and without pretention, putting their focus squarely on quality.
Established: 2004
Total Area: 2,283,600 acres (924,500 ha)
Planted Area: 9,240 acres (3,740 ha)
Predominant Soils: Marine sedimentary, alluvial gravels, volcanic
Predominant Varieties: Pinot noir, Pinot gris, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Viognier, Chardonnay, Tempranillo
*Updated Feb. 2021
The Southern Oregon AVA lies in the southwest portion of the state, stretching 125 miles (200 km) south of Eugene to the California border, and 60 miles (95 km) at its widest between the Cascade Mountain Range to the east and the Coast Range to the west. It encompasses the Applegate Valley, Elkton Oregon, Red Hill Douglas County, Rogue Valley and Umpqua Valley appellations.
The Klamath Mountains, Coast Range and Cascade Mountains all merge in the Southern Oregon AVA, creating a varied, mountainous topography with vineyards typically situated in high mountain valleys at elevations between 1,000 to 2,000 feet (305-610 m). The lofty southern coastal mountains provide a barrier to the west, blocking marine air and casting a rain shadow to the area’s south and east.
Southern Oregon experiences one of the widest growing season diurnal temperature swings in the world, helping to preserves grapes’ acidity and complexity in an otherwise warm climate. Additionally, there are many cool micro-climates within its varied hillsides and valleys that enable Southern Oregon to successfully grow both cool- and warm-climate varieties.
Southern Oregon’s soils are varied; however, the many rivers that meander through Southern Oregon, including the Umpqua, Applegate, Illinois and Rogue, all have contributed to the development of well-draining stream terraces and alluvial deposits.
Wines produced from this region’s grapes are very diverse but offer good structure and balance.
Region History:
Southern Oregon has the oldest history of grapegrowing in the state. It dates back to 1852 with an early settler named Peter Britt, who operated a winery in Jacksonville called Valley View Winery. Post-Prohibition winemaking started in 1961 when vintner Richard Sommer migrated from UC Davis and founded HillCrest Vineyards in the Umpqua Valley, planting Oregon’s first Pinot Noir vines. Impressed with the diversity of growing conditions in this area, other winemakers began planting roots in the 1970s, resulting in a patchwork of vineyards growing both cool- and warm-climate varieties. Today, this winegrowing region continues to grow and turn out a great variety of high-quality wines. The appellation became official in 2004.
Established: 1991
Total Area: 1,139,800 acres (461,260 ha)
Planted Area: 5,635 acres (2,280 ha)*
Predominant Soils: Stream sediments
Predominant Varieties: Pinot noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot gris, Syrah, Viognier, Chardonnay, Merlot
*Updated Feb. 2021
The Rogue Valley AVA is the southernmost winegrowing region in Oregon. It is defined by the Rogue River and three tributaries – Bear Creek, Applegate and Illinois rivers – that extend from the foothills of the Siskiyou Mountains along the California border north to the Rogue River. It is 70 miles (110 km) wide by 60 miles (95 km) long and encompasses the Applegate Valley AVA. Vineyards here are typically at elevations of 1,200 to 2,000 feet (365-610 m) and are planted on hillsides rather than valley floor.
Rogue Valley is made up of three distinct valleys with progressively warmer micro-climates, enabling the region to successfully grow both cool- and warm-climate grape varieties. To the west, the region is affected by mountain and ocean influences, making it suitable for some cool-weather varieties, including Pinot noir. Farther east, Rogue Valley has the highest elevations (nearly 2,000 feet (610 m)) of Oregon’s winegrowing regions, but it is also the warmest and the driest, making it well suited for warm-weather varieties including Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon blanc.
Generous sunshine and warmth during the growing season allow later-ripening varieties to thrive, resulting in fully developed fruit character and rich, full-bodied wines.
Region History:
Rogue Valley’s wine history dates back to the 1840s, when European immigrants began planting grapes and eventually bottling wines. In 1852, an early settler named Peter Britt joined in on the grapegrowing adventure, though it wasn’t until 1873 that he opened Valley View Winery – Oregon’s first official winery. Valley View closed in 1907 (though its name was resurrected by the Wisnovsky family in 1972), then Prohibition began. It wasn’t until after an Oregon State University professor planted an experimental vineyard here in 1968 that winemakers rediscovered the Rogue Valley as a superb winegrowing region. Rogue Valley became an official appellation in 2001.
Established: 2005
Total Area: 5,600 acres (2,200 ha)
Planted Area: 460 acres (185 ha)*
Predominant Soils: Volcanic
Predominant Varieties: Pinot noir, Pinot gris
*Updated Feb. 2020
Red Hill Douglas County is a single-vineyard AVA wholly contained within the Umpqua Valley AVA. Vines sit between 800 and 1,200 feet (245-365 m) and do not benefit as much from the protection of the Coast Range, resulting in cooler growing season temperatures.
Red Hill Douglas County is dominated by iron-rich, red volcanic Jory soils, which were formed from the uplifting of ancient volcanic basalt. They are mostly deep and considered premier wine grape growing soils.
Wines from this region tend to be leaner with more structure compared to other AVAs within Southern Oregon.
Region History:
The Applegate and Scott families, pioneers of Southern Oregon, settled at the foot of Red Hill in the mid-1800s. Jesse Applegate planted Douglas County’s first established vineyard in Yoncalla in 1876. Red Hill Douglas County appellation was approved in 2005.
Established: 2013
Total Area: 74,900 acres (30,311 ha)
Planted Area: 305 acres (125 ha)
Predominant Soils: Clay loam
Predominant Varieties: Pinot noir, Pinot gris, Gewürztraminer, Riesling
The Elkton Oregon AVA is situated 33 miles (53 km) inland from the Pacific Ocean. It is wholly within the Umpqua Valley AVA, which in turn lies within the larger Southern Oregon AVA. Elkton Oregon is the northernmost region in the Umpqua Valley. The Umpqua River weaves through the middle of the region, offering a cool afternoon breeze during the growing season.
Elkton Oregon vineyard soils are predominantly residual clay, silt loam soil, alluvial deposits and river terraces around the meandering Umpqua River. Clay soils retain water very well, resulting in less of a need to irrigate and lower yields.
In contrast to the rest of Southern Oregon, wines produced from this region are more often from cool climate varieties made in a lusher style, fuller in body with bolder fruit notes than those produced in the Willamette Valley.
Region History:
Winegrowing in Elkton dates back to the early 1970s when Ken Thomason began planting cool climate whites and Pinot noir. The first winery was established in 2000. Currently, there are four licensed wineries and 12 commercial vineyards totaling 96.5 planted acres (39 ha).
