“When it comes to wine, place matters,” says the Oregon Wine Board. Everywhere in the world this is true to one degree or another, but it seems to be at the pinnacle in Oregon. Wine grapes just seem be to like sponges that draw flavors and attributes from the place in which its vines grow. For example, the aroma in a glass of red wine may reward you with specific flavors of cherry and cola; yet taste the same variety from a different vineyard and you could get subtle hints of pine and black cherry. Soil types, climate, location, and topography work together to change or create what you smell and sense about a wine and its origin. The French call this “terroir”. In Oregon, they refer to it as "sense of place".
Oregon is so diverse in both land and weather winemakers and wine growers can successfully grow both cool- and warm-climate varietals. The soils change dramatically from one place to another and each offer a great opportunity to grow high-quality grapes, and make fantastic wines. For this reason Oregon’s wineries find themselves in the enviable position to bottle their wines in small batches out of “single” vineyards. Each single vineyard is so different in land, sea, wind, and heat & cold that each wine can be totally different in the glass, on the nose, and in the mouth. Even if the vineyards are just yards away from each other. Below is a rundown of the “terroir” of Oregon’s largest wine areas. Here you can see some of the major differences between these areas, but keep in mind…the real difference is in the bottle!
Willamette Valley
Climate: The Willamette Valley is relatively mild throughout the year, with cool, wet winters and warm, dry summers. This temperate climate, combined with coastal marine influences, make the gentle growing conditions within the Valley ideal for cool climate acidic grapes, including Pinot noir. Soils: The Willamette Valley is an old volcanic and sedimentary seabed that has been overlaid with gravel, silt, rock and boulders brought in by the Missoula Floods from Montana and Washington between 10,000 and 15,000 years ago. Topography: The Willamette Valley is protected by the Coast Range to the west, the Cascades to the east and a series of hill chains to the north. Its namesake, the Willamette River, runs through its heart. The Result: Pinot Noir show crisp acidity, with a wild cherry or current character.
Yamhill-Carlton District
Climate: The Yamhill-Carlton District is protected by high elevation areas, which results in less rain than surrounding areas and moderate growing conditions perfectly suited for cool-climate Pinot Noir grapes. Soils: Yamhill-Carlton is comprised of coarse-grained, ancient marine sedimentary soils, over sandstone and siltstone that drain quickly, making them ideal for viticulture. Grapes grown in such soil often result in wines lower in acid. Topography: Yamhill-Carlton vineyards grow on sites with elevations between 200 and 1,000 feet, avoiding low valley frost and high elevation temperatures unsuitable for effective ripening. The Result: Soft earthy mouth feel in Pinot Noir, showing black raspberry & anise.
Dundee Hills
Climate: Dundee Hills area is effectively an island protected from great climatic variations by surrounding geographic features. Because of their slope and elevation, Dundee Hills vineyards benefit from warmer nights and less frost and fog than the adjacent valley floors. Soils: Dundee Hills is known for its rich, red volcanic Jory soils, which were formed from ancient volcanic basalt and consist of silt, clay and loam soils and thus superior quality wine grapes. Topography: Dundee Hills is typically volcanic over sedimentary sandstone. The Result: Riper grapes with fuller mouth feel. Blackberry, meat, & cola are sometimes found at the center of the palate.
