Situated to the southwest of Portland, Oregon, the Willamette Valley produces arguably the best Pinot Noir in the United States. Smaller wineries are proving year after year that their goods can stand up to some of Burguny's best. Almost half of Willamette's vineyards are planted with Pinot Noir. Chardonnay takes second place, but will soon be overtaken by the other Pinot -- Pinot Gris. Pinot Blanc, Riesling and Gewürztraminer are also planted in lesser quantities.
Willamette Valley stretches 100 miles long between the Coastal and Cascade Mountains, from Washington County along the Columbia River all the way down to Eugene. The dominant soil type is a volcanic soil, which imbues Pinot Noir with a subtle ash on the palate. Winters are moderate and the summers are warm, but the wineries are very careful about when they pick their grapes. They must wait long enough for the grapes to fully ripen, but they have to make sure they pick the grapes before the autumn rains arrive.
Applications have been submitted to divide portions of the Willamette Valley into 6 separate AVAs. The applications are still under review, but expect some changes in the near future.
United States → Oregon → Willamette Valley
American AVA
Adea
Adelsheim Vineyard
Airlie Winery
Alloro Vineyard
Anderson Family Vineyard
Ankeny Vineyard
Anne Amie
Antica Terra
Appolloni
Aramenta Cellars
ArborBrook Vineyards
Archery Summit
Argyle
Argyle Winery
Beaux Frères
Bella Vida
Belle Pente Wine Cellars
Benton Lane
Benton-Lane
Beran Vineyards
Bergstrom Winery
Bethel Heights Vineyard
Borealis Northern lights
Brick House Vineyards
Cameron
Carabella
Carlton Hill
Chehalem
Cherry Hill Winery
Coelho
Coleman Vineyard
Cooper Mountain Vineyards
Cristom Vineyards
Cuneo Cellars
Daedalus Cellars
Dobbes Family Estate
Dobbes Family Estates
Domaine Coteau
Domaine Drouhin
Domaine Serene
Domaine Serene Evenstad Reserve
Duck Pond
Elk Cove
Eola Hills Winery
Erath
Evesham Wood
Francis Tannahill
Freja Cellars
Hip Chicks do Wine
Illahe
J. Albin Winery
J. K. Carriere
J. Scott Cellars
J.K. Carriere
Kelley Family Vineyards
Ken Wright Cellars
Kramer Vineyards
Kristin Hill Winery
La Bête
Lachini Vineyards
Lange
Laurel Ridge
Lawton Winery
Lemelson Vineyards
Maresh Red Barn
Maysara Estate
Montinore Estate
Mystic Wine
Namastè Vineyards
Natalie's Estate Winery
Owen Roe
Panther Creek
Panther Creek Cellars
Patricia Green Cellars
Patton Valley Vineyard
Penner Ash
Pheasant Court Winery
Privé Vineyard
R. Stuart & Co.
Raptor Ridge
Rex Hill
Rockblock
Scott Paul Wines
Shafer Vineyard Cellars
Sineann
Sokol Blosser Winery
Spindrift Cellars
St Josef's Winery
St. Innocent
Stag Hollow Vineyards
Stangeland Vineyards
Stoller Vineyard
Stone Wolf Vineyards
Stony Mountain Vineyard
The Eyrie Vineyards
Thistle Wines
Torii Mor
Tyee Wine Cellars
Tyrus Evan
Van Duzer Vineyards
Viridan
Walnut City Wineworks
Westrey Wine Company
White Rose Wines
WillaKenzie Estate
Willamette Farms of Oregon
Willamette Valley Vineyards
Willamette Valley Vineyards Founders Reserve
Wine Country Farm Cellars
Winter’s Hill Vineyard
Witness Tree Vineyard
Yamhill Valley Vineyards
Youngberg Hill Vineyards
Z'IVO Wines