Willamette Valley Vineyards

Celebrate Oregon’s Wine Month beginning May 1. It’s not too early to start planning your visit!

To celebrate, a special sweepstakes has been planned, the 2018 Oregon Wine Month Sweepstakes. “One lucky winner and guest will spend 4 days and 3 nights in the vineyards, the kitchens and the company of some of Oregon’s most acclaimed winemakers, chefs and craftspeople for an immersive celebration of Oregon’s wine and food bounty. Three runners up will win a two-month, two-bottle membership to Cellar 503, the premier wine club for anyone wheo wants to explore Oregon’s small-batch wineries.”

Vineyards at Abacela

Many of the Oregon wineries are events offering special events during May. Visit the Oregon Wine website or the websites of the individual wineries for details.

Quick Facts about Oregon’s Wine Industry

• Oregon is the third largest grape producer
• Oregon is home to 18 AVAs.
• Oregon has 720 wineries
• Number of grape varieties: 72
• Top 12 grape varieties: Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, Viognier, Gewürztraminer, Tempranillo, Pinot Blanc and Cabernet Franc.
• Oldest continually operating winery is Honeywood Winery in Salem.

Youngberg Hill Vineyards and Inn

Oregon has several wine growing regions including: Central Oregon, Columbia Gorge, Portland’s Urban Wineries, Southern Oregon, Walla Walla Valley and Willamette Valley. Some of these regions include smaller wine regions. For example, Willamette Valley includes Chehalem Mountains and Ribbon Ridge, Dundee Hills, Cascade Foothills, Eola-Amity Hills, Heart of Willamette, McMinnville, North Willamette, South Willamette and Yahmill-Carlton. Another one of our favorite wine regions in Oregon is Southern Oregon where wine enthusiasts will find wineries in Applegate Valley and Umpqua Valley.

If you are planning to visit Oregon during your summer vacation, order the 2018 Oregon Wine Tour Guide.

Wine Trail Traveler has visited many of Oregon’s wineries over several years. Read the articles about each winery we have visited, the information and photos may spark your interest in visiting a particular winery or wine region.

Cheers!
Kathy