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Willamette: Articles on Willamette Wine & Wine Regions

Willamette Valley: Oregon's Pinot Noir Capital

by Nancy Parode

For many wine lovers, Oregon's Willamette Valley is synonymous with pinot noir, and only pinot noir.  The climate of the mountain-shielded valley is perfect for this famous grape from Burgundy.  Pinot noir not only gave the Willamette Valley its start, it catapulted the region to stardom when a pinot noir from The Eyrie Vineyards took first place in Gault-Millau's 1979 Paris wine tasting.  And, as they say, the rest was history – or is history, for the Willamette Valley is still evolving as a wine region.

Pinot Gris: Oregon’s Second Wine

by Krista Winjum

The southern Willamette south of Eugene has a special place in my heart.

My first visit was in 1992 when I house-sat for friends on the mid-Oregon coast in Florence. I took a day trip inland and just for fun decided to drop down south and check out the wineries. My expectations were not high. At that point, I was still a bit of a California snob.

Picking Your Pinot

by Krista Winjum
Living here in Seattle, I admit I’m among the many that are proud of our famous wine regions and wines. Since I love to vacation on the Oregon coast, I find myself in the upper Willamette/Yamhill AVA a couple of times a year. This area is conveniently located along Route 18, the road leading from Portland to the coast, and it’s easy to hop on and off the freeway to visit a variety of wineries.
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