4 TUALATIN HILLS AVA: THE NORTHERN PIONEER These higher-elevation vineyards feature Laurelwood soils similar to their neighboring district. Wines from the Tualatin Hills are notably aromatic, with bright acidity and elegant structure. LAURELWOOD DISTRICT AVA: THE LAYERED CAKE OF SOILS Showcasing a unique "layered cake" soil profile of windblown loess over basalt, Laurelwood soils create elegant wines that offer bright, red-fruit flavors and distinctive minerality. Varying depths of the loess deposits throughout the district add subtle complexity to the wines. RIBBON RIDGE AVA: SMALL AREA, BIG PERSONALITY Despite being Oregon's smallest wine region, Ribbon Ridge delivers wines with outsized character. Its uniform marine sedimentary soils create particularly concentrated wines, often showing blue fruit, spice, and excellent structure. YAMHILL-CARLTON AVA: ANCIENT SOILS, COMPLEX WINES The Yamhill-Carlton region features some of the Willamette Valley's oldest soils. This area is nestled in the foothills of the Coast Range mountains, which protect the vineyards from weather extremes. Ancient marine sedimentary soils found here typically produce complex Pinot noir wines with rich, black fruit and an undercurrent of forest floor. MCMINNVILLE AVA: BOLD FLAVORS FROM COASTAL INFLUENCE The strong influence of cool, Pacific winds that funnel through the mountains and marine sedimentary soils create Pinot noirs with deeper color and more intense, dark-fruit characteristics, often with intriguing, earthy undertones. CHEHALEM MOUNTAINS AVA: THE REGION OF DIVERSITY Rising above the valley floor, the Chehalem Mountains AVA features the greatest diversity of soils in the Willamette Valley. Here you'll find volcanic, sedimentary, and windblown loess soils—sometimes all within a single vineyard! This soil variety creates a dynamic range of wine styles, from delicate and aromatic to rich and structured. THE DUNDEE HILLS AVA: OREGON'S RED-SOIL TREASURE The picturesque Dundee Hills stands out for its distinctive red volcanic “Jory” soils, which produce wines with an elegant, red-fruit flavor profile and silky, smooth texture. Many of Oregon's pioneering wineries planted their first vines here. EOLA-AMITY HILLS AVA: PACIFIC INFLUENCE The Eola-Amity Hills region experiences dramatic cooling each afternoon when winds rush in from the Pacific Ocean through the Van Duzer Corridor. This natural air conditioning helps grapes maintain their vibrant acidity, creating wines with notable freshness and energy. VAN DUZER CORRIDOR AVA: WIND-DRIVEN DISTINCTION The Van Duzer Corridor is the pathway where Pacific Ocean air flows into the Willamette Valley. This consistent wind creates thicker grape skins, lending more structure and color to the wines. These bottles often display vibrant acidity along with pronounced aromatic profiles, making them naturally food-friendly and age-worthy. MOUNT PISGAH, POLK COUNTY, OREGON AVA: THE NEWCOMER WITH ANCIENT ROOTS This region produces structured wines with excellent aging potential. The combination of soil, elevation, and exposure creates wines with remarkable complexity and a clear sense of place. LOWER LONG TOM AVA: THE SOUTHERN FRONTIER Unique prairie soils formed on ancient floodplains create bold, fruit-forward wines with distinctive character. This emerging region is showing great promise for those who enjoy wines with deeply complex flavor profiles. WILLAMETTE VALLEY’S DIVERSE WINE REGIONS WILLAMETTE VALLEY'S DIVERSE WINE REGIONS The Willamette Valley stretches from Portland to Eugene, but what many wine lovers may not realize is that within this valley lies a fascinating patchwork of smaller wine regions, called American Viticultural Areas (AVA), each with its own personality and charm. As you explore Willamette Valley wines, paying attention to these regional differences adds a whole new dimension to your tasting experience. Each bottle tells the story not just of Oregon but of its own unique corner of this remarkable valley. PHOTO: LYNN HOWLETT DUCK POND DELANEY VINEYARD
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