Ribbon Ridge

Established: 2005
Total Area: 3,500 acres (1,400 ha)
Planted Area: 620 acres (250 ha)
Predominant Soils: Marine sedimentary (Willakenzie series)
Predominant Varieties: Pinot noir, Chardonnay, Pinot gris, Riesling, Gamay noir

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Ribbon Ridge is a 6.1 mi² (15.8 km²) ridge within the Chehalem Mountains AVA, located 22 miles (35 km) southwest of Portland and 40 miles (64 km) east of the Pacific Ocean. The ridge rises 683 feet (208 m) from the Chehalem Valley floor, giving it an island-like appearance. Protected by geographical features to the north, south and west, Ribbon Ridge’s grapegrowing hillsides are slightly warmer and drier when compared to the adjacent valley floors.

The Ribbon Ridge region is comprised primarily of the Willakenzie series of sedimentary soil. Willakenzie is a younger, finer and more uniform soil series than the sedimentary and volcanic soils of neighboring regions. It is moderately deep and well-drained, making it ideal for growing high-quality wine grapes and results in Pinot noirs with rose petal, dark cherry, earthiness and spice complexity.

Region History:

In 1980, Harry Peterson-Nedry planted the first wine grapes on Ribbon Ridge at his Ridgecrest Vineyards. Two years later, the first commercial vineyard was established with the planting of 54 acres of Pinot noir and Chardonnay, and Yamhill Valley Vineyards first used these grapes to make wine in 1985. Other vineyards were soon planted in this relatively small ridge. The appellation became official in 2005.

McMinnville

Established: 2005
Total Area: 36,900 acres (14,900 ha)
Planted Area: 750 acres (305 ha)
Predominant Soils: Marine sedimentary, marine bedrock and volcanic
Predominant Varieties: Pinot noir, Chardonnay, Pinot gris, Riesling, Pinot blanc

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The McMinnville AVA is contained within the Willamette Valley AVA, sitting in the Coast Range foothills just west of the city of McMinnville, approximately 40 miles (65 km) southwest of Portland. Geologically, the most distinctive feature in this area is the Nestucca Formation, a 2,000-foot (610 m) thick bedrock formation that extends west of the city of McMinnville to the slopes of the Coast Range. This formation is weathered sedimentary and volcanic soil sitting on top of marine bedrock, which affects the region’s ground water composition, forcing vines to struggle and produce complex fruit.

Compared to surrounding areas, McMinnville is, on average, cooler and drier, consisting of higher elevation vineyards (up to 1,000 feet (305 m)) that are resistant to frost. Vineyards situated on the more southerly facing sites take advantage of the cooling winds from the Van Duzer Corridor, a break in the Coast Range that allows cool Pacific Ocean air to flow through, thus dropping evening temperatures in the region, which helps to keep grapes retain their acidity as they ripen.

Pinot noirs from McMinnville typically exhibit a strong backbone of tannin with darker fruit flavors that are rounded out by spice, mineral and earth notes. White wines from this region are bright and fruit-forward.

Region History:

The McMinnville area has a long farming history that dates back to the mid-1800s when berry fields, tree fruits and livestock dominated. All that began to change when, in 1970, one of Oregon’s winemaking pioneers, David Lett, bought an old turkey processing plant in the city of McMinnville to house his winery. Soon after, winegrowers began planting vineyards and establishing wineries in the area and, in 1987, McMinnville held the very first International Pinot Noir Celebration. Held every July since, it’s a wildly popular three-day event where winemakers and enthusiasts from all over the world congregate for Pinot noir tastings, winery tours and seminars. The McMinnville AVA was established in 2005.

Eola-Amity Hills

Established: 2006
Total Area: 39,200 acres (15,900 ha)
Planted Area: 3,040 acres (1,230 ha)
Predominant Soils: Marine sedimentary and volcanic
Predominant Varieties: Pinot noir, Chardonnay, Riesling, Gamay noir

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The Eola-Amity Hills AVA is contained within the Willamette Valley AVA and is located northwest of Salem, Oregon’s state capitol. The main ridge of the Eola Hills runs north-south and has numerous lateral ridges on both sides that run east-west. The majority of the region’s vineyard sites exist at elevations between 250 to 700 feet (75-215 m).

The climate in the Eola-Amity Hills is greatly influenced by its position due east of the Van Duzer Corridor, which provides a break in the Coast Range that allows cool Pacific Ocean air to flow through. This decreases temperatures in the region dramatically, especially during late summer afternoons, helping grapes retain their acidity as they ripen.

Soils in this region predominantly contain volcanic basalt from the Columbia River Basalt flows from more than 14 million years ago, as well as marine sedimentary rocks and alluvial deposits at the lower elevations of the ridge. This combination results in a relatively shallow, rocky set of well-drained soils, which typically produce small grapes with great concentration. Wines produced from this region offer high acidity, firm structure and a darker, edgier personality.

Region History:

The agricultural history of this area near Salem dates back to the mid-1850s, though it wasn’t until the 1970s that winemakers started to discover the area as having ideal growing conditions for high-quality wine grapes. It was around this time that a few modern pioneers, including Don Byard of Hidden Springs, planted a patchwork of vineyards in the Eola-Amity Hills. Soon after, other pioneers followed suit and today this area produces world-class, handcrafted cool-climate varietals. The appellation became official in 2006.

Dundee Hills

Established: 2004
Total Area: 12,500 acres (5,100) ha)
Planted Area: 2,225 acres (900 ha)
Predominant Soils: Volcanic (Jory series)
Predominant Varieties: Pinot noir, Chardonnay, Pinot gris, Pinot blanc

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The Dundee Hills AVA is contained within the Willamette Valley AVA and is located 28 miles (45 km) southwest of Portland and 40 miles (64 km) inland from the Pacific Ocean. It is defined by a single, continuous landmass that rises above the low, flat floors of the surrounding Willamette and Chehalem Valleys beginning at the 200 foot (60 m) contour line and extending to the AVA’s highest peak of 1,067 feet (325 m).

The Dundee Hills area is effectively an island protected from great climatic variations by the Coast Range to the west and the Chehalem Mountains to the northeast. The Dundee Hills receive less cooling influence from the Pacific Ocean and Columbia Gorge, resulting in slightly warmer growing seasons than most Willamette Valley AVAs.

The Dundee Hills AVA is known for its rich, red volcanic Jory soil, formed by the Columbia River Basalts more than 14 million years ago. Jory soils typically reach a depth of 4-6 feet (1.2-1.8 m) and provide excellent drainage for superior quality wine grapes. Pinot noirs from this area are most often bright with elegant red fruit, earthy, truffle-like flavors and silky mouthfeel.

Region History:

Winemaker David Lett planted the first Pinot noir in the Dundee Hills in 1966, establishing The Eyrie Vineyards. Soon after, Dick Erath, the Sokol Blossers and other winemakers cleared south-facing slopes to plant many of Oregon’s first vineyards. They whole-heartedly believed this area would one day be an important cool-climate winegrowing region. It didn’t take long for the world to discover the Dundee Hills and Oregon – especially once The Eyrie Vineyards Reserve Pinot noir was rated among top Burgundian wines in the 1979 Gault-Millau French Wine Olympiad. Today, the area is home to many of Oregon’s modern pioneer winemakers who continue to successfully grow and make premium wine. The appellation was approved in 2004.