Wineries
The greater northwest region of Washington and Oregon has developed into a mecca for wine enthusiasts and wine entrepreneurs alike. The Willamette Valley, Oregon's leading wine region has two-thirds of the state's wineries and vineyards and is home to more than 200 wineries. It has been recognized as one of the premier Pinot noir producing areas in the world.
The Willamette Valley is a huge and varied appellation that includes three sub-appellations, McMinnville, Dundee Hills and Yamhill Carlton. Buffered from Pacific storms on the west by the Coast Range, the valley follows the Willamette River north to south for more than a hundred miles from the Columbia River near Portland to just south of Eugene. To the east,the Cascade Ranges draws the boundary between the Willamette Valley’s misty, cool climate and the drier, more extreme climate of eastern Oregon
Yamhill County Wine Country, where the rolling hills are covered with row upon row of lush grape vines, is located just 25 miles from Portland . The county is home to the largest concentration of wineries and vineyards in the state of Oregon . Many Yamhill County wineries are achieving national and international prominence with their award-winning wines, notably Pinot noir, the flagship wine of Oregon , as well as Pinot gris.
Approximately half of the 55 wineries and tasting rooms belonging to The Yamhill County Wineries Association have tasting rooms which are open to the public on a regular basis. Others are open once or twice a year when the Association sponsors its two annual events: Memorial Weekend in the Wine Country and Wine Country Thanksgiving. During the three-day events, more than 40 wineries open their doors to visitors, even some of those not usually open to the public.
Cheers!
