Umpqua Valley AVA
The modern era of grape growing in Oregon began in the Umpqua Valley with the first commercial planting of fine wine grapes northwest of Roseburg in 1961. Today, family owned artisan wineries are creating wines of distinctive quality and character that are receiving international acclaim for the Umpqua Valley.
The complex topography of the Umpqua Valley, formed by the convergence of three mountain ranges of varying ages and structure, contributes to the occurrence of varied soil types and the many sub-valleys known as the Hundred Valleys of the Umpqua. The rich diversity of landscapes and climates provide a wide range of conditions needed to produce an exciting array of grape varieties. The cooler valleys allow varietals such as Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Riesling and Gewurztraminer to flourish while the warmer valleys include Merlot, Cabernet, Syrah, Tempranillo and Grenache. Overall, the Umpqua Valley is Oregon's most complex wine growing region.