View source for Oregon wine

{{Infobox Wine Region|
name=Oregon|
image=Oregon wine country.jpg|
official name=State of [[Oregon]]|
type=U.S. state|
year=1859|
wine years=1965&ndash;|
part of=[[Oregon wine|Oregon]]|
sub regions=[[Willamette Valley AVA]]<br/>[[Southern Oregon AVA]]<br/>[[Columbia Gorge AVA]] (with Washington)<br/>[[Columbia Valley AVA]] (mainly Washington)|
climate region=I-III|
planted=14,100&nbsp;acres|
varietals=[[Pinot Noir]] and other|
wineries=303|
comments=All data [[as of 2005]]
}} 
The state of '''[[Oregon]]''' has established an international reputation for its production of '''[[wine]]'''.  Oregon has several different [[growing region]]s within the state's borders which are well-suited to the cultivation of [[grape]]s; additional regions straddle the border between Oregon and the states of [[Washington (state)|Washington]] and [[Idaho]].
__TOC__

==Facts and figures==

{{clearright}}
{|class="wikitable" align="right"
|+Oregon wine statistics 1995-2005<ref>{{cite paper|
title=Oregon Vineyard and Winery Quick Facts 1995-2005|
author=National Agricultural Statistics Service|
publisher=Oregon Wine Board|
date=2005|
url=http://www.oregonwine.org/press/quick_fx.pdf}}</ref>  
|-
!Year !! Vinyard area !! # Wineries<br>crushing grapes !! Grapes crushed,<br>tons (US) !! Sales, cases
|-
|1995 || {{convert|7100|acre|sqkm|0}} || 92 || 14,280 || 734,437
|-
|1996 || {{convert|7500|acre|sqkm|0}} || 94 || 15,191 || 741,953
|-
|1997 || {{convert|7800|acre|sqkm|0}} || 94 ||18,669 ||827,312
|-
|1998 || 9,000 acres (36 km²) || 103 || 13,265 || 894,386
|-
|1999 || {{convert|9800|acre|sqkm|0}} || 102 ||16,523 || 777,890
|-
|2000 || {{convert|10500|acre|sqkm|0}} || 122 ||17,663 || 991,770
|-
|2001 || {{convert|11100|acre|sqkm|0}} || 131 ||22,163 ||1,082,058
|-
|2002 || {{convert|12100|acre|sqkm|0}} || 150 ||20,905 || 1,073,177
|-
|2003 || {{convert|13400|acre|sqkm|0}} || 170 || 21,860 ||1,199,086
|-
|2004 || {{convert|13700|acre|sqkm|0}} || 193 ||  18,620 ||1,286,128
|-
|2005 || {{convert|14100|acre|sqkm|0}} || 215 || 23,450|| 1,591,330
|}
As of the [[2005]] winegrowing season, the state of Oregon has 303 bonded [[winery|wineries]], 384 wine brands, and 734 [[vineyards]] growing ''[[Vitis vinifera]]'', composing a total of {{convert|14100|acre|sqkm|0}}; {{convert|11800|acre|sqkm|0}} were harvested in 2005.  Out of all US winegrowing regions, Oregon ranked third in number of wineries and fourth in production.  Nearly 1.6 million cases of Oregon wine were sold in 2005. The retail value of these cases was USD $184.7 million, a 24% increase over the previous vintage.<ref>{{cite paper|
title=Oregon Wine Industry Facts|
author=Oregon Wine Center|
publisher=Oregon Wine Board|
date=2005|
url=http://www.oregonwine.org/press/StateWineFacts2005.pdf}}</ref>  

The industry has had a significant economic impact on the state.  The industry contributed a total of USD $1.4 billion to the Oregon economy.  Of that figure, over USD $800 million is directly provided by wineries and vineyards via sales, wages, and spending.  It is estimated that the industry contributed 8,479 wine-related jobs and USD $203 million in wages.  Exports to other states in 2004 were USD $64.1 million.<ref name="OWC_Study">
{{cite paper|
author=Full Glass Research|
title=The Economic Impact of the Wine and Wine Grape Industries on the Oregon Economy|
publisher=Oregon  Wine Center|
date=January 2006|
url=http://www.oregonwine.org/docs/EISFinal.pdf|
format=pdf}}</ref>
           
Oregon produces wine on a much smaller scale than the [[California wine]] industry.  Oregon's biggest producer produces only 125,000&nbsp;cases per year and most produce under 35,000&nbsp;cases. The state features many small wineries which produce less than 5,000&nbsp;cases per year.<ref name="Hall">{{cite web|
title=History of the Oregon Wine Industry (excerpt)|
author=Hall. Lisa Shara|
publisher=AvalonWine.com|
url=http://avalonwine.com/Oregon-Wine-history.php|
}}</ref><ref name="Hall2">{{cite book|
author=Hall, Lisa Shara|
title=Wines of the Pacific Northwest|
publisher=Mitchell Beazley|
date=2001|
isbn= ISBN 1-84000-419-3}}</ref>  In contrast, [[E & J Gallo Winery]], the United States' largest producer, produced 65&nbsp;million&nbsp;cases of wine in [[2002]].<ref>{{cite journal|
author=Claburn, Thomas|
title=Top of the List: Recipe for a better winery|
journal=Information Week|
date=2004-09-20|
url=http://www.informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=47900073}}</ref> <!-- I apologize for this source, and calling InformationWeek a "journal" is a stretch, but Gallo is a private company and doesn't publish production statistics, at least that I can discern-->  The majority of wineries in the state operate their own vineyards, although some purchase grapes on the market. Oregon contains a significant number of independent vineyards.<ref name="Hall"/>

The Oregon wine industry focuses on the higher-priced segments of the wine market.  Oregon growers receive a higher average return per ton and a higher average revenue per case than do growers in other wine-producing regions in the United States.  Despite producing a much smaller volume of wine, Oregon winery revenues per capita are comparable to those of New York and Washington.<ref name="OWC_Study"/>

==Varieties of wine==
[[Image:Chehalem_pinot_noir_grapes.jpg|frame|left|Pinot noir grapes at Chehalem Ridgecrest Vineyard, [[Newberg, Oregon]]]]
Like other wines produced in the [[United States]], Oregon wines are marketed as [[varietal]]s.  Oregon law requires that wines produced in the state must be identified by the grape variety from which it was made, and must contain at least 90% of that variety.{{Fact|date=February 2007}}  Oregon law has long forbidden use of place names, except as appellations of origin.<!-- blended wines?-->  Oregon is most famous for its [[Pinot Noir]], which is produced throughout the state.  Pinot Noirs from the Willamette Valley have received much critical acclaim from wine connoisseurs and critics, and Oregon is regarded as one of the premier Pinot-producing regions in the world. 
<ref>{{cite paper|
publisher=Oregon Wine Board|
title=The Oregon Story and how to sell it|
url=http://www.oregonwine.org/pdfs/press/TheOregonStory.pdf|
format=pdf}}</ref>

In 2005, the top five varieties produced in Oregon were:

* [[Pinot Noir]] {{convert|7974|acre|sqkm|0}}, 12,086&nbsp;US tons
* [[Pinot Gris]] {{convert|1184|acre|sqkm|0}}, 4,317&nbsp;US tons
* [[Chardonnay]] {{convert|842|acre|sqkm|1}}, 1,568&nbsp;US tons
* [[Merlot]] {{convert|550|acre|sqkm|1}}, 675&nbsp;US tons
* [[Riesling]] {{convert|524|acre|sqkm|1}}, 1,000&nbsp;US tons

Other varieties with significant production in Oregon include [[Cabernet Sauvignon]], [[Gewürztraminer]], [[Müller-Thurgau]], [[Pinot blanc]], [[Sauvignon blanc]], [[Sémillon]], and [[Syrah]].  ''V. vinifera'' based wines produced in smaller quantities include [[Arneis]], [[Baco noir]], [[Cabernet franc]], [[Chenin blanc]], [[Dolcetto]], [[Gamay Noir]], [[Grenache]], [[Marechal Foch]], [[Malbec]], [[Muscat (grape and wine)|Muscat]], [[Nebbiolo]], [[Petite Syrah]], [[Sangiovese]], [[Tempranillo]], [[Viognier]], and [[Zinfandel]].  The state also produces [[sparkling wine]], [[late harvest wine]], [[ice wine]], and [[dessert wine]]. <ref>{{cite paper|
author=[[National Agricultural Statistics Service]]|
title=Oregon Vineyard and Winery Report|
publisher=Oregon Wine Board|
date=2006|
url=http://www.oregonwine.org/press/vw-2006.pdf|
format=pdf}}</ref>

==History of Oregon wine production==
[[Image:David Lett.JPG|thumb|right|David Lett of [[Eyrie Vineyards]]]]
{{main|History of Oregon wine production}}
Wine has been produced in Oregon since the [[Oregon Territory]] was settled in the 1840s; however, winemaking has only been a significant industry in the state since the 1960s.  Grapes were first planted in the [[Oregon Territory]] in [[1847]], with the first recorded winery being established in 1850 in [[Jacksonville, Oregon|Jacksonville]].  Throughout the 19th century, there was experimentation with various [[varietal]]s by immigrants to the state, and in [[1904]], an Oregon winemaker won a prize at the [[1904 St. Louis World's Fair|St. Louis World's Fair]].  Wine production would cease in the United States during [[Prohibition]], and the Oregon wine industry lay dormant for thirty years after Prohibition was repealed.  <ref name="Chemeketa">{{cite web|
title=Oregon Wine Historical Milestones|
work=Northwest Viticultural Center|
publisher=[[Chemeketa Community College]]|
url=http://www.chemeketa.edu/exploring/locations/eola/ioregon.html}}</ref><ref name="Hall"/>

The Oregon wine industry started to rebuild in the 1960s, when California winemakers opened several vineyards in the state.  This included the planting of [[Pinot Noir]] grapes in the [[Willamette Valley]], a region long thought too cold to be suitable for viticulture.  In the 1970s, more out-of-state winemakers migrated to the state and started to organize as an industry.  The state's land use laws had prevented rural hillsides from being turned into housing tracts, preserving a significant amount of land suitable for vineyards.  In 1979, [[Eyrie Vineyards]] entered a 1975 Pinot Noir in the [[Wine Olympics]]; the wine was rated among the top Pinots in the world, thus gaining the region its first international recognition.<ref name="Chemeketa"/><ref name="Hall"/>

The accolades continued into the 1980s, and the Oregon wine industry continued to add both wineries and area under vine.  The state industry continued to market itself, establishing the first of several AVAs (American Viticulture Areas) in the state.  The state also grew strong ties with the [[Burgundy]] region of [[France]], as Oregon's governor paid an official visit to Burgundy and a leading French winemaking family bought land in [[Dundee, Oregon|Dundee]].<ref name="Chemeketa"/><ref name="Hall"/>

In the early 1990s, the wine industry was threatened by a ''[[Phylloxera]]'' infestation in the state, but winemakers quickly turned to the use of resistant [[rootstock]]s to prevent any serious damage.  The state legislature enacted several new laws designed to promote winemaking and wine distribution.  The state found a newfound focus on "green" winemaking, leading the global wine industry into more environmentally-friendly practices.  Several new AVAs were established.  By 2005, there were 314 wineries and 519 vineyards in operation in Oregon.<ref name="Chemeketa"/><ref name="Hall"/>

==Major wine-producing regions==
There are, loosely speaking, three main wine producing regions with a major presence in the state of Oregon, as defined by non-overlapping [[American Viticultural Area]]s.  Two of them--the [[Willamette Valley|Willamette Valley AVA]] and the [[Southern Oregon|Southern Oregon AVA]], are wholly contained within Oregon; a third, the [[Columbia River Gorge|Columbia Gorge AVA]] straddles the [[Columbia River]] and includes territory in both Oregon and Washington; however, this AVA is considered to be an Oregon AVA.  Portions of the [[Walla Walla Valley AVA]], an AVA which is primarily in Washington (along with the [[Columbia Valley AVA]] which contains it), descend into Oregon in the [[Milton-Freewater]] area.  The Southern Oregon AVA was recently created as the union of two Southern Oregon winegrowing regions long considered distinct, the Rogue Valley and the Umpqua Valley.  Several other smaller AVAs are found within some of these larger regions. <ref>{{cite web|
title=Oregon Wineries, Wines, and Wine Country|
work=Wines Northwest|
author=O'Hara, Susan R.|
url=http://www.winesnw.com/orhome.html}}</ref>  The [[Snake River Valley AVA]], which straddles Oregon's border with [[Idaho]] along the [[Snake River]], is the first AVA to include a part of [[Eastern Oregon]].<ref name=snake>{{cite web | url=http://www.winepressnw.com/news/story/8699306p-8599736c.html | date=2007-03-10 | publisher=''Wine Press Northwest'' | title="It's official: Government establishes Snake River Valley AVA"}}</ref>

===Willamette Valley===
[[Image:Wpdms shdrlfi020l willamette valley.jpg|thumb|left|The Willamette River Valley]]
{{main|Willamette Valley AVA}}
The '''Willamette Valley AVA''' is the wine growing region which encompasses the [[Willamette Valley]].  It stretches from the [[Columbia River]] in the north to just south of [[Eugene, Oregon|Eugene]] in the south, where the [[Willamette Valley]] ends; and from the [[Coast Range]] in the West to the [[Cascade Mountains]] in the East.  At {{convert|5200|sqmi|sqkm|-2}}, it is the largest AVA in the state, and contains most of the state's wineries; approximately 200 [[as of 2006]].<ref>{{cite web|
title=Willamette Valley AVA|
work=AppellationAmerica.com|
publisher=Appellation America|
url=http://wine.appellationamerica.com/wine-region/Willamette-Valley.html}}</ref>  

The climate of Willamette Valley is mild year-round, with cool, wet winters and warm, dry summers; extreme temperatures are uncommon.  Most rainfall occurs outside the growing season and the valley gets relatively little snow.<ref>{{cite paper|
title=Oregon Climate Zone Summary: Zone 2-The Willamette Valley|
publisher=[[Oregon State University]]|
url=http://www.ocs.orst.edu/pub_ftp/reports/zone/Zone_2_narrative.html}}</ref>  Not all parts of the Valley are suitable for viticulture, and most wineries and vineyards are found west of the [[Willamette River]], with the largest concentration in [[Yamhill County]]. <ref>{{cite web|
title=Oregon Wine Country: North Willamette Valley Wineries Map|
work=Wines Northwest|
author=O'Hara, Susan R.|
url=http://www.winesnw.com/nwillmap.html
}}</ref>

The region is divided into four subordinate AVAs; '''Dundee Hills''', '''McMinnville''', '''Ribbon Ridge''', and the '''Yamhill-Carlton District'''.  Two more AVA applications are pending.  In addition, many  wine connoisseurs further divide the Willamette Valley into northern and southern regions, the dividing line being the approximate [[latitude]] of [[Salem, Oregon|Salem]].

This region is most famous for its [[Pinot Noir]], and also produces large amounts of [[Pinot Gris]], [[Riesling]], and [[Chardonnay]].  The region also produces [[Cabernet Sauvignon]], [[Gewürztraminer]], [[Müller-Thurgau]], [[Sémillon]], and [[Zinfandel]] grapes, but in far smaller quantities.

===Southern Oregon===
{{main|Southern Oregon AVA}}
The '''Southern Oregon AVA''' is an AVA which was formed as the union of two existing AVAs--the '''Rogue Valley AVA''' and the '''Umpqua Valley AVA'''.  (A small strip of connecting territory is included in the Southern Oregon AVA to make it a contiguous region; however, this strip passes through mountains regions not suitable for vineyards).  This AVA was established in [[2004]], to allow the two principal regions in [[Southern Oregon]] to jointly market themselves.<ref>[http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-26865.pdf] Federal Register: Vol 69 No. 235 / Wednesday, December 8, 2004 / Rules and Regulations, RIN 1513-AA75: Establishment of the Southern Oregon Viticultural Area (2002R-338P)</ref>
As the Rogue Valley and Umpqua Valley regions produce different grapes (and different varietals), they are examined separately.  

====Umpqua Valley AVA====
[[Image:Wpdms shdrlfi020l umpqua river.jpg|300px|right|frame|Umpqua River with tributaries]]
The '''Umpqua Valley AVA''' contains the drainage basin of the [[Umpqua River]], excluding mountainous regions.<ref>{{cite web |title=Umpqua Valley AVA |publisher=Appellation America |url=http://wine.appellationamerica.com/wine-region/Umpqua-Valley.html}}</ref> The Umpqua Valley has a warmer climate than the Willamette Valley, but is cooler than the Rogue Valley to the south.  Grapes grown here include Pinot Noir, with smaller amounts of Pinot Gris, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Riesling, as well as several French-American hybrids.  The region includes one sub-AVA, the [[Red Hill Douglas County AVA]].  

====Rogue Valley AVA====
[[Image:Wpdms shdrlfi020l illinois river oregon.jpg|300px|right|frame|Rogue River and Tributaries.  The unlabelled stream to the east of the Illinois River is the Applegate river; Bear Creek is not shown on this map but flows through the valley in which Medford is located.]]
The '''Rogue River AVA''' includes the drainage basin of the [[Rogue River (Oregon)|Rogue River]] and several tributaries, including the [[Illinois River (Oregon)|Illinois River]], the [[Applegate River (Oregon)]], and [[Bear Creek (Oregon)|Bear Creek]].  Most wineries in the region are found along one of these three tributaries, rather than along the Rogue River itself.  The region is {{convert|70|mi|km|-1}} wide by {{convert|60|mi|km|-1}} long (although much of the land within the AVA is not suitable for grape cultivation); there are less than 20 wineries with only {{convert|1100|acre|sqkm|0}} planted.  The three valleys differ greatly in [[terroir]], with the easternmost Bear Creek valley being warmest and driest, and the westernmost Illinois River valley being coolest and wettest.<ref name="Rogue">{{cite web|
title=Rogue Valley AVA|
work=AppellationAmerica.com|
publisher=Appellation America|
url=http://wine.appellationamerica.com/wine-region/Rogue-Valley.html}}</ref>  Each river valley has a unique climate and grows different varieties of grapes.  Overall, however, this region is the warmest and driest of Oregon's wine-growing regions.<ref name="RogueNW">{{cite web|
title=Rogue Valley and Applegate Valley Appellations of Southern Oregon|
work=Wines Northwest|
author=O'Hara, Susan R|
url=http://www.winesnw.com/rogue.html}}</ref>.  The region has one sub-AVA, the '''Applegate Valley AVA'''. <ref>
{{cite web|
 title=Applegate Valley AVA|
 work=AppellationAmerica.com|
 publisher=Appellation America|
 url=http://wine.appellationamerica.com/wine-region/Applegate-Valley.html
}}</ref>

===Columbia Gorge===
[[Image:Columbia River Gorge.jpg|thumb|right|The Columbia River (shown here in [[Hood River County, Oregon]]) is at the heart of the Columbia Gorge AVA]]
{{main|Columbia Gorge AVA}}
The '''Columbia Gorge AVA''' is found in the [[Columbia Gorge]]. This region straddles the [[Columbia River]], and thus lies in both Oregon and Washington; it is made up of [[Hood River County, Oregon|Hood River]] and [[Wasco County, Oregon|Wasco]] counties in Oregon, and [[Skamania County, Washington|Skamania]] and [[Klickitat County, Washington|Klickitat]] counties in Washington.  <ref>[http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/04-10513.htm]
Federal Register: May 10, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 90)</ref>.  The region lies to the east of the summits of nearby [[Mount Hood]] and [[Mount Adams (Washington)|Mount Adams]], situated in their [[rain shadow]]s; thus, the region is significantly drier than the [[Willamette Valley]].  It also exhibits significant differences in elevation due to gorge geography, and strong winds common in the area also play a factor in the region's climate.  This allows a wide variety of grapes to be grown in the Columbia Gorge.<ref>{{cite paper|
title=Description of grapes and wines of Columbia Gorge AVA|
publisher=Columbia Gorge Winegrowers|
url=http://www.columbiagorgewine.com/documents/Columbia%20Gorge%20AVA%20Description.doc|
format=doc}}</ref>  The region has nearly 40 vineyards, growing a wide variety of grapes, including [[Syrah]], [[Pinot Noir]], [[Chardonnay]], [[Gewürztraminer]], [[Zinfandel]], [[Cabernet]], [[Pinot Gris]], [[Riesling]], and [[Sangiovese]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Gorge Vineyards |publisher=Columbia Gorge Winegrowers |url=http://www.columbiagorgewine.com/vineyards.htm}}</ref>

===Walla Walla Valley===
[[Image:Valley-of-North-Fork-WallaWalla.JPG|thumb|right|Valley of the North Fork of the Walla Walla River above Milton-Freewater in Oregon]]
Portions of northeastern Oregon (in the vicinity of [[Milton-Freewater]]) are part of the [[Walla Walla Valley AVA]], which was established in 1984.  This appellation, which is part of the [[Columbia Valley AVA]], lies primarily within Washington state.  This region has nearly 100 wineries and {{convert|1200|acre|sqkm|0}} planted.  Wines grown in the valley include [[Syrah]], [[Merlot]], and [[Cabernet Sauvignon]], as well as [[Sangiovese]] and a few exotic varietals including [[Counoise]], [[Carmenère]], [[Mourvèdre]], [[Cabernet Franc]], [[Nebbiolo]] and [[Barbera]].<ref>{{cite web|
title=Walla Walla Valley APA|
work=AppellationAmerica.com|
publisher=Appellation America|
url=http://wine.appellationamerica.com/wine-region/Walla-Walla-Valley.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|
title=Appelation (Walla Walla)|
work=Walla Walla Wine.com|
publisher=Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance|
url=http://www.wallawallawine.com/region/appellation.html}}</ref>

===Snake River Valley===
{{main|Snake River Valley AVA}}
A new viticultural area along the [[Snake River]] was established on [[April 9]], 2007.  Principally located in Idaho, the area also encompasses two large counties in [[Eastern Oregon]], [[Baker County, Oregon|Baker County]] and [[Malheur County, Oregon|Malheur County]].<ref name=snake />  The region's climate is unique among AVAs in Oregon; the average temperature is relatively cool and rainfall is low, creating a shorter growing season.  Current production is led by hardy grapes such as [[Riesling]], [[Gewürztraminer]], and [[Chardonnay]].  The climate also lends itself extremely well to the production of [[ice wine]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.cnbc.com/id/18909148 | publisher=[[CNBC]] | author=Mike Hegedus | title="Fruit of the Vine" | date=[[May 29]], 2007}}</ref>  However, the AVA is quite large and warmer [[microclimate]]s within the area can also support different types of grapes such as [[Cabernet Sauvignon]] and [[Merlot]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://wine.appellationamerica.com/wine-review/374/New-AVA-in-Idaho.html | title="Snake River Valley Appellation a First for Idaho" | author=Cole Danehower | date=[[April 9]], 2007 | publisher=AppellationAmerica.com}}</ref>

==Wine tourism==
With the continuing improvement in the region's winemaking reputation, [[wine tourism]] in Oregon has become a significant industry in its own right.  On-site sales are becoming an increasingly important part of the business of Oregon winemaking, and other businesses which cater to wine tourists, such as lodging, fine [[restaurant]]s, [[art gallery]]s, have been appearing in places like [[Dundee, Oregon|Dundee]], many of which have long been rural farming communities.  Wine festivals and tastings are commonplace.  It is estimated that wine tourism contributed USD $92 million to the state economy in [[2004]], excluding sales at wineries and tasting rooms.  There are approximately 1.48 million visits to Oregon wineries each year; 49% of which are by Oregonians, and 51% from out of state visitors.  Major events which draw significant numbers of tourists to wine country include the [[International Pinot Noir Celebration]] and the [[Oregon Pinot Camp]].<ref name="OWC_Study"/>

Facilities for wine tourists in Oregon are considered underdeveloped compared to wine regions in California, especially premium growing regions like the [[Napa Valley]].  Only 5% of overnight leisure trips in the state involve visits to wineries, a much smaller figure than comparable California growing regions which range from 10%&ndash;25%.<ref name="OWC_Study"/>  Oregon lacks many accommodations found in wine growing regions in other states such as luxury hotels, resorts, and other attractions suitable for well-heeled tourists.  [[as of 2006|As of August 2006]], a resort hotel is being planned in Dundee, which would be located near notable wineries such as [[Domaine Drouhin Oregon]].  A local developer and businessman has proposed construction of a 50-room hotel, spa and restaurant in the Dundee Hills region, but has met with opposition from many notable vintners, including [[David Lett]], who fear that such a development would dramatically alter the landscape of the region.  Concern has also been raised by vintners that the proposed site is on prime growing land that should be used for wine production rather than a resort hotel.<ref>{{cite journal|author=Steiman, Harvey|
title=Oregon Grapples with Wine Tourism|
date=2006-05-02|
journal=[[Wine Spectator]]|
url=http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Features/0,1197,3240,00.html}}</ref>

The increase in winery-related tourism, as well as the presence of a [[Spirit Mountain Casino (Oregon)|casino]] in the Willamette Valley, has greatly impacted the region's transportation infrastructure.  [[Oregon State Route 99W]], the highway which runs through the heart of Willamette Valley wine country (and which is the [[main street]] in towns such as [[Newberg, Oregon|Newberg]] and [[Dundee, Oregon|Dundee]]), is plagued with frequent [[traffic jam]]s.  Plans to construct a [[freeway]] bypass around Newberg and Dundee (avoiding the prime growing areas in the hills) are in motion<ref>{{cite web|
title=Newberg-Dundee Transportation Improvement Project|
work=ODOT Region 2 Construction Projects|
publisher=[[Oregon Department of Transportation]]|
url=http://www.newbergdundeebypass.org}}</ref>, but are highly controversial.  Currently, construction of the highway project is unfunded, and the [[Oregon Department of Transportation]] has proposed making the new bypass a [[toll road]], highly unusual for Oregon.   Tolls have also been proposed on the existing route of OR-99W, in addition to the new bypass.  <ref>{{cite paper|
title=Alternatives Assessment: Summary Feasibility Review: Newberg-Dundee Transportation Improvement Project|
author=Oregon Roads Project|
publisher=Oregon Transportation Improvement Group|
date=2006-04-17|
url=http://www.portlandtransport.com/documents/newberg_dundee_tolling.pdf|
accessdate=2006-08-17}}</ref>  This proposal has proven to be highly controversial, with many local residents opposing the plan, primarily due to potential negative effects on businesses located on 99W.<ref>{{cite news|author=Schellene Clendenin|title= Proposal to toll 99W proves to be an unpopular idea|publisher=The Newberg Graphic|date=2006-05-13|url=http://www.newberggraphic.com/news/archive/5-13-06/index.htm|accessdate=2006-08-17}}</ref>

==Recognition==
Oregon wines have won several major awards, and/or been praised by notable wine [[critic]]s.
<!-- Please limit this to major, verifiable recognition.-->
* In 1904, [[Forest Grove]] winemaker Ernest Reuter won a silver medal at the [[1904 St. Louis World's Fair|St. Louis World's Fair]].<ref name="Chemeketa"/>
* In 1979,  [[Eyrie Vineyards]]' 1975 South Block Pinot Noir placed in the top 10 of [[Burgundy]]-style wines at the [[Wine Olympics|Gault-Millau French Wine Olympiades]], and was rated the top [[Pinot Noir]].  In a rematch, however, the Eyrie finished second to a French wine.<ref>{{cite news|
author=Matt Giraud|
title=Grape Expectations: The Birth of Oregon's Wine Industry|
publisher=[[Willamette Week]]|
date=1984|
url=http://www.wweek.com/html/25-1979.html}}</ref>
* Two gold medals in the [[International Wine Competition]] in [[London]] in 1982.<ref name="Chemeketa"/>
* A Yamhill Valley Vineyards 1983 Pinot noir was the first place preference at the 1985 Oregon Pinot Noir/French Burgundy Challenge at the [[International Wine Center]] in [[New York City]].<ref>http://www.oregonwine.org/members/winery_profile_view_ind.php?id=60 Oregon Wine Center: Yamhill Valley Vineyards (profile)</ref>
* In 2006, a record seven Oregon wines made [[Wine Spectator]]'s annual Top 100 Wines list.{{Fact|date=February 2007}}  Producers on the list included: Shea, Argyle, Archery Summit, Lemelson, Ken Wright, Elk Cove, and Benton Lane.
<!-- more to come!-->

==Further reading==
*''The wines and wineries of America's Northwest : the premium wines of Oregon, Washington, and Idaho'', [[1986]], ISBN 093666603X
*''A travel companion to the wineries of the Pacific Northwest : featuring the pinot noirs of Oregon's Willamette Valley'', [[2002]], ISBN 0970415435
*''Legal issues affecting Oregon wineries & vineyards'', [[2003]] 
*''Oregon wine country'', [[2004]], ISBN 1400013674
*''Cooking with the wines of Oregon'', [[2007]], ISBN 
155285843X

==See also==
* [[List of Oregon wineries and vineyards]]
* [[Oregon Wine Board]]

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
* [http://www.winesnw.com Wines Northwest]
* [http://www.oregonwinegrowers.org Oregon Winegrowers Association]
* [http://www.oregonwine.org/ Oregon Wine Center]
* [http://www.oregonwine.org/press/images.php Images of Oregon wine and wineries]

{{American wine}}

[[Category:Companies based in Oregon|*W]]
[[Category:Oregon wine|*]]
[[Category:Wine regions of the United States]]