Chehalem Mountains AVA facts for kids
| Wine region | |
Pinot noir from the Chehalem Mountains AVA, Adelsheim Vineyard 2014
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| Type | American Viticultural Area |
|---|---|
| Year established | 2006 |
| Country | United States |
| Part of | Oregon, Willamette Valley AVA, Oregon Coast Range (Part of an inland limb/arm) |
| Other regions in Oregon, Willamette Valley AVA, Oregon Coast Range (Part of an inland limb/arm) | Dundee Hills AVA, Eola-Amity Hills AVA, McMinnville AVA, Ribbon Ridge AVA, Yamhill-Carlton AVA |
| Sub-regions | Ribbon Ridge AVA |
| Growing season | May-October |
| Climate region | Woodland, Pacific Northwest, Maritime |
| Precipitation (annual average) | About 37 to 60 inches in a typical year |
| Size of planted vineyards | 2,685 acres (1,087 ha) |
| Varietals produced | Pinot noir, Pinot gris, Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay, Auxerrois |
| No. of wineries | 69 |
| Comments | Bald Peak, the highest in Chehalem Mountains, is 1,636 feet at the peak. |
The Chehalem Mountains AVA is a special area in northwestern Oregon. AVA stands for American Viticultural Area. This means it's a recognized region for growing grapes, especially for making wine. You can find it in Yamhill and Washington counties.
Contents
History of the Chehalem Mountains AVA
How the Wine Region Started
The idea to create the Chehalem Mountains AVA began in 2001. A person named David Adelsheim helped lead this effort. He is from Adelsheim Vineyard, a well-known winery. The area officially became an AVA in 2006. This made it a special place for growing grapes.
Geography of the Chehalem Mountains
Where is this Special Area?
The Chehalem Mountains AVA is located within the larger Willamette Valley AVA. It covers the area known as the Chehalem Mountains. This region stretches about 20 miles (32 km) long. It goes from Wilsonville in the southeast to Forest Grove in the northwest.
What's Inside the Chehalem Mountains AVA?
This special grape-growing area includes a few smaller places. One of them is the Ribbon Ridge AVA. It also covers Parrett Mountain and Bald Peak. Bald Peak is the highest point in the Chehalem Mountains. There's also a proposed area called Laurelwood AVA within it.
