Umpqua Valley AVA facts for kids
| Wine region | |
Muller-Thurgau wine from the Umpqua Valley
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| Type | American Viticultural Area |
|---|---|
| Year established | 1984 |
| Country | United States |
| Part of | Oregon, Southern Oregon AVA |
| Sub-regions | Red Hill Douglas County, Oregon AVA, Elkton Oregon AVA |
| Climate region | Maritime |
| Grapes produced | Baco noir, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Dolcetto, Gewurztraminer, Grenache, Malbec, Merlot, Muscat Canelli, Pinot blanc, Pinot gris, Pinot noir, Riesling, Sauvignon blanc, Semillon, Syrah, Tempranillo |
The Umpqua Valley AVA is a special area in Oregon, United States, known for growing grapes and making wine. It was one of the very first places in Oregon to be recognized as an AVA (which stands for American Viticultural Area). This means it has unique features like its climate and soil that are great for growing certain types of grapes. The Umpqua Valley AVA is completely located inside Douglas County, Oregon.
This area became an AVA in 1984. Later, in 2004, it became a smaller part of a larger wine region called the Southern Oregon AVA.
Contents
What is an AVA?
An AVA is a special type of wine region in the United States. It's like a special zone recognized by the government. These zones are defined by their unique geography. This includes things like the climate, the type of soil, and how high up the land is. These factors all affect how grapes grow and how the wine tastes.
Sub-Regions of Umpqua Valley
The Umpqua Valley AVA has two smaller, special areas within it. These are called sub-appellations. They are:
Each of these smaller areas has its own unique features for growing grapes.
Grapes Grown in Umpqua Valley
Many different types of grapes grow well in the Umpqua Valley. Some of the popular ones include:
- Pinot noir
- Pinot gris
- Tempranillo
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Chardonnay
- Riesling
- And many more!
The variety of grapes shows how diverse the climate and soils are here. This allows winemakers to experiment with different types of wines.
History of Winemaking in Umpqua Valley
The Umpqua Valley has an important place in Oregon's winemaking history.
- In 1961, the first modern winery in Oregon was started here. This was at HillCrest Vineyards.
- At HillCrest Vineyards, the very first Pinot Noir grapevines in Oregon were planted.
- In 1995, the first Tempranillo grapevines in Oregon were planted at a place called Abacela.
- This led to the first wines made only from Tempranillo grapes in the Pacific Northwest region.
- The first time a wine called Grüner Veltliner was made for sale in the U.S. was also in the Umpqua Valley AVA. This happened at Reustle Prayer Rock Vineyards.
These events show how the Umpqua Valley has been a leader in trying new things in winemaking.
