Oregon Wine Resource Studio

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Wine

Varieties

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Varieties

Experimentation, collaboration, revelation. That’s the story of Oregon wine. In the 1850s, Peter Britt first planted Mission grapes in the Rogue Valley, but by the 1870s he had experimented with more than 200 American and European varieties. In the 1960s, David Lett and Charles Coury famously defied convention and began growing Pinot noir in the Willamette Valley; they also cultivated Pinot gris, Chardonnay, Semillon, Sylvaner and more. Today, Oregon’s winegrowers continue to experiment in search of the perfect match of grapes to place. It’s not about forcing the land to follow a trend; it’s about pairing soils, aspect and climate with grapes that will naturally thrive.

Though more than 50% of the wine grapes grown in Oregon are Pinot noir, more than 40% are not. Pinot gris, Riesling, Chardonnay and Syrah are all gaining speed and many others are garnering attention from critics. With dozens of micro-climates and soil types throughout the state, Oregon’s grapes—from more than a thousand vineyards—are as distinct as the places from which they hail.

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Environmental Stewardship

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Environmental stewardship

Neighborhood bee collectives.  EV charging stations atop Mt. Hood. CSA farm shares offering so many beets you just have to pickle some. Oregonians may push the quirk factor, but we know a good thing when we see it—and we think this state, with its bountiful resources and beautiful scenery, is worth protecting.  For us, being green isn’t about being trendy, it’s who we are.  Oregon winemakers have demonstrated these qualities from the get-go, matching the joyful pursuit of great wine with a fierce commitment to the land.

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About

The Oregon wine industry was born into a culture of sustainability, as the state of Oregon has had a longtime commitment to protecting the environment and preserving its natural resources. This commitment dates back to 1889, when state legislature enacted Oregon’s first environmental law: prohibiting pollution of waters used for domestic or livestock purposes. In 1966, Oregonians elected Tom McCall, an innovative governor who enacted key environmental legislation to protect Oregon’s environment and natural resources.

1966

Oregon elected Tom McCall as governor.

1967

Gov. McCall signed the Beach Bill, calling it “one of the most far-reaching measures of its kind enacted by any legislative body in the nation.” The bill granted the public recreational rights to the dry sands of Oregon’s beaches all the way to the vegetation line.

1971

Oregon passed the nation’s first Bottle Bill, implementing refunds on soft drink, beer and water containers reducing litter and increasing recycling.

1973

Oregon Senate Bill 100 created an institutional structure for statewide urban planning. It required cities and counties to adopt comprehensive land-use plans and placed restrictions on urban sprawl into farmland.

During this period of sweeping environmental protection legislation, Oregon’s wine pioneers – including Richard Sommer, the Letts, the Ponzis, the Adelsheims, Dick Erath and the Sokol Blossers – began setting up shop in Oregon.To the state’s early winemakers, Oregon represented not just an ideal place for winegrowing, it represented a frontier where winegrowers could practice their trade in a biologically diverse and ecologically balanced way. They would produce the highest quality wine possible, but they would do it in synergy with nature while upholding their responsibility as stewards of the land.Oregon Senate Bill 100

Perhaps one of the most significant milestones in the sustainability of the Oregon wine industry was Oregon Senate Bill 100. Signed into law by Governor McCall in May 1973, Oregon Senate Bill 100 created an institutional structure for statewide land-use planning. It required cities and counties to adopt comprehensive land-use plans and placed restrictions on urban sprawl into farmland.

The early winemakers of the Willamette Valley actively worked on the passage of Senate Bill 100 to preserve hillside properties not previously considered prime farmland, but which were ideal for the future development of vineyards. As a result, some of Willamette Valley’s most esteemed vineyard sites exist, sometimes very near to urban centers, without the threat of impending housing developments.

47% of Oregon’s vineyards are certified sustainable, the most of any major U.S. winegrowing region.Future of Sustainability

From past to present, Oregon wine producers have been driven to capture the beauty and elegance of the Pacific Northwest in a glass of wine. This noble goal has resulted in a significant commitment by winemakers and grapegrowers to preserve the land for generations to come. To light the way in sustainable grapegrowing and winemaking, standards of the following agencies have been adopted:

Demeter-Logo

Geographic Span: International
Established: Informally established in 1927, formally established in 1985
Philosophy: “Healing the planet through agriculture.” Demeter Certified Biodynamic vineyards look to not only “cause no harm,” but also to engage in practices that will help to heal the planet.
Practices: Developed in the 1920s based on the teachings of Dr. Rudolf Steiner – a noted German scientist, philosopher and founder of the Waldorf School – biodynamic practices aim to maintain farms as living organisms, not factories: self-contained and self-sustaining, responsible for creating and maintaining their own individual health and vitality.

Demeter Certified Biodynamic practices include but are not limited to:

  • Following Organic principles in the prohibition of synthetic chemical fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides and fungicides
  • Reducing fertility and pest control treatments made from materials off the premise
  • Dedicating of at least 10% of farm’s total acreage to biodiversity.
  • Using eight specific treatments, called preparations, comprised of medicinal plants, minerals and composted animal manures to help increase the vitality of the grapes grown and further anchor each individual farm in time and place

Note: Salmon-Safe requirements are embedded in Demeter certification standards.

For more information: http://www.demeter-usa.org/

Salmon-Safe-Logo

Geographic Span: Regional: Oregon, Washington, California, British Columbia
Established: 1995
Philosophy:  “Transform land management practices so Pacific salmon can thrive in West Coast watersheds.”
Practices: The Salmon-Safe certification was developed to protect the livelihood of salmon on the West Coast, however, salmon are a key indicator species in the Pacific Northwest. Their conservation is tightly intertwined with the health of the larger ecosystem. Compliance with Salmon-Safe certification standards is intended to promote landscape-level conservation and protection of biological diversity.

Salmon-Safe practices include but are not limited to:

  • Optimizing water use
  • Maintaining healthy river banks and in-stream habitat conditions
  • Using long-term soil conservation techniques
  • Exercising nutrient and pest management practices that protect water quality
  • Contributing to overall habitat quality and productivity on the farm

Note: LIVE and Demeter Certified Biodynamic have Salmon-Safe requirements embedded in their certification standards. Any vineyard or winery with these certifications is also certified Salmon-Safe.

For more information:  http://www.salmonsafe.org/[toggle title=”USDA ORGANIC / OREGON TILTH” open=”no”]

USDA-Organic-Logo
Geographic Span: National
Established: 1990
Philosophy:  The federal National Organic Program (NOP) develops national standards for organically-produced agricultural products so consumers know products with the USDA Organic seal meet consistent, uniform standards.
Practices: The USDA Organic regulations describe organic agriculture as the application of a set of cultural, biological, and mechanical practices that support the cycling of on-farm resources, promote ecological balance and conserve biodiversity.

USDA Organic practices include but are not limited to:

  • Maintaining or enhancing soil and water quality
  • Using organic seeds and planting stocks
  • Conserving wetlands, woodlands and wildlife
  • Avoiding use of synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, irradiation and genetic engineering

Note: The NOP sets the USDA Organic certification standards but vineyards enlist a local certifying entity for inspection, such as Oregon Tilth. Not-for-profit Oregon Tilth is the third-largest USDA accredited organic certifier in the country.

For more information:  http://www.ams.usda.gov/about-ams/programs-offices/national-organic-program

LIVE-Logo

Geographic Span: Regional: Oregon, Washington, Idaho, British Columbia
Established: 1995
Philosophy:  “Minimize environmental impacts, preserve agricultural fertility and sustain economic viability for generations to come.”
Practices: LIVE takes a whole-farm and whole-winery approach to sustainability. The entire property, including non-grape crops, landscaping, building operations, labor practices and packaging must be managed by LIVE standards.

LIVE practices include but are not limited to:

  • Creating and maintaining a high level quality fruit production
  • Implementing practices that reduce reliance on synthetic chemicals and fertilizers
  • Encouraging responsible stewardship of the land, maintaining natural fertility and ecosystem stability
  • Promoting sustainable farming practices that maintain biological diversity in the whole farm
  • Maintaining high standards of worker health, safety and benefits

Note: Salmon-Safe requirements are embedded in LIVE certification standards.

For more information:  https://livecertified.org/

DRC-Logo

Geographic Span: Willamette Valley
Established: 2003
Philosophy:  Grapes from non-irrigated vineyards produce authentic wines while conserving water.
Practices: Wineries in the Deep Roots Coalition grow and source grapes exclusively from non-irrigated vineyards for conservation of agricultural water supplies as well as the authenticity of the resulting wine.
Deep Roots Coalition practices include but are not limited to:

  • Not growing or purchasing grapes from irrigated vineyards in the Willamette Valley.
  • Educating the public with regard to responsible water management practices and sustainable farming
  • Collecting data and anecdotes on irrigated versus non-irrigated vineyards in order to facilitate a rational discussion on the issue of water use
  • Producing wines with reduced yields and adhering to one of several low-impact viticultural programs: LIVE, Organic, Demeter Certified Biodynamic, Salmon-Safe, etc.

For more information: www.deeprootscoalition.org/

Labeling Regulations

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Labeling regulations

Early on, Oregon’s winemakers realized they had something special here, something distinct and deserving of distinction in a crowded marketplace. They didn’t have to, but Oregon’s wine industry pressed for labeling regulations stricter than those required by the federal government. It was — and is — a matter of integrity. Recognizing the importance of place and variety in the creation of wines, Oregon’s labeling regulations reflect the approach of its winemakers since the industry’s founding days: principled, honest, clear.

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About

Oregon maintains some of the strictest wine labeling regulations of any state regarding declaration of grape origin and varietal.

The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) developed a set of federal wine labeling regulations to ensure the integrity of alcoholic beverages in the marketplace and to accurately inform customers. The TTB has created an informative brochure about these federal regulations. In addition to the TTB federal rules, Oregon has enacted stricter regulations to ensure the integrity and quality of Oregon wine.

Appellation of Origin

The most influential additions to the TTB wine labeling regulations in Oregon are the provisions about declaring a wine’s appellation of origin. Federally, if a wine label lists a country, state or county as an appellation, at least 75% of the wine must be produced from grapes grown in the place named, and at least 85% if the label lists a specific American Viticultural Area (AVA) such as Napa Valley.

In Oregon, if the label claims or implies “Oregon,” an Oregon county, or an AVA wholly within Oregon, 100% of the grapes must be from Oregon and 95% from that appellation of origin.

oregon-wine-origin-labeling-table-110116

Exceptions to this rule apply to wines declaring cross-border AVAs, such as the Walla Walla Valley and Columbia Gorge, for which AVA labeling may follow laws of either state. Washington State follows the TTB’s guidelines of 85%. However, 100% of the grapes must come from the two states.

Varietal Declaration

Oregon also has stricter regulations than other U.S. regions when it comes to labeling the varieties used in a wine. Federal regulation states that at least 75% of grapes used to make a wine must be of the declared variety in an identified appellation of origin. In Oregon, 90% or more of the wine must be from the named variety, including Oregon’s most widely produced wines: Pinot noir, Pinot gris, Chardonnay, Pinot blanc and 50 other varieties known to grow in Oregon.

However, there are 18 grape varieties exempted from Oregon’s 90% minimum requirement for varietal labeling and allowed to be blended with up to 25% other varieties. These include: Cabernet franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere, Petite Sirah, Grenache, Malbec, Marsanne, Merlot, Mourvedre, Petit Verdot, Roussanne, Sangiovese, Sauvignon blanc, Semillion, Syrah, Tannat, Tempranillo and Zinfandel. These varieties have a long history of being used for blending in their respective European regions, and the exemption allows vinification following in their historical tradition.

oregon-wine-varietal-declaration-chart-110116-1

By making the regulations regarding declaration of appellation of origin and varietals stricter than the federal regulation, the Oregon wine industry is able to protect and properly represent the state’s terroir, and therefore its quality. For additional information on Oregon wine labeling regulation read this document released by the Oregon Winegrowers Association.

In addition to the implementation of stricter labeling rules, Oregon was also an original signatory of the Joint Declaration to Protect Wine Place and Origin, a set of principles shared by 19 wine regions across the world aimed at educating consumers about the importance of location to winemaking. To learn more about this program visit www.wineorigins.com.

Labeling Regulations Presentation (PPT)

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