Applegate Valley AVA facts for kids
| Wine region | |
Hillside vineyards near the town of Ruch in the Applegate Valley AVA.
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| Type | American Viticultural Area |
|---|---|
| Year established | 2000 |
| Country | United States |
| Part of | Oregon, Rogue Valley AVA, Southern Oregon AVA |
| Climate region | Warm-summer mediterranean |
| Precipitation (annual average) | 20-25 inches |
| Total area | 275,000 acres (1,113 km2) |
| Size of planted vineyards | 340 acres (138 ha) |
| No. of vineyards | 4 |
| Grapes produced | Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Riesling, Syrah, Tannat, Tempranillo, Vermentino, Zinfandel |
| No. of wineries | 18 |
The Applegate Valley AVA is a special place in southern Oregon where delicious grapes are grown to make wine. An AVA, or American Viticultural Area, is a special grape-growing region recognized by the United States government.
The Applegate Valley is like a smaller neighborhood inside a bigger wine region called the Rogue Valley AVA. The Rogue Valley AVA is also part of the even larger Southern Oregon AVA.
Contents
What Makes Applegate Valley Special?
The Applegate Valley is named after the Applegate River. This river flows through the town of Applegate and near the city of Jacksonville. The river helps shape the land and climate, making it great for growing grapes.
A Look at Its History
People have been growing grapes in the Applegate Valley for a very long time. It all started in 1870 when a person named A. H. Carson planted 30 acres of grapes. This was along North Applegate Road.
One of Oregon's very first wineries was also built here. Today, that old winery has been fixed up and is open again as Valley View Winery. It's a cool piece of history!
Where are the Vineyards?
The vineyards in Applegate Valley are planted on hillsides at different heights. Some are about 1,000 feet (300 m) above sea level. Others are as high as 1,500 feet (500 m) above sea level.
The climate here is warmer and drier than some other nearby areas. For example, it's warmer than the Illinois Valley to the west. But it's not as hot and dry as the Bear Creek Valley to the east. This unique weather helps the grapes grow well.
Grapes Grown Here
Many different types of grapes grow very well in the Applegate Valley. Some of the popular ones include:
These grapes are used to make many different kinds of wines.
