Thanks to all of the Society of Wine Educators participants who joined me at lunch to taste wines from Southern Oregon. Here are some highlights from our talk…
Southern Oregon Wines We Tasted:
2016 Abacela Albarino
2013 Abacela Barrel Select Tempranillo
2015 Kriselle Cellars Viognier
2013 Kriselle Cellars Tempranillo
2015 Cliff Creek Cellars blend Marsanne, Roussanne,Viognier
2014 Reustle Vineyards Gruner Veltliner
2014 Reustle Vineyards Syrah
2015 Brandborg Riesling
2014 Brandborg Gewurtzraminer
2013 Two Hawk Winery Malbec
2014 Del Rio Vineyards Cab Sauv
Southern Oregon Terroir
Located 150 miles South of Portland
Extends 125 miles to California Border
5 sub AVAs – Elkton, Red Hills Douglas County, Umpqua Valley, Rogue Valley, Applegate Valley
4 Rivers: Umpqua, Rogue, Applegate, Illinois
3 Mountains: Klamath, Coastal, Cascade
70+ grapes
Southern Oregon Wine History
- 1852 – Peter Britt opened Oregon’s first official winery in Jacksonville: Valley View Winery
- 1961 – First Pinot noir planted in the Umpqua Valley by Richard Sommer; Sommer establishes the oldest estate winery still in operation (HillCrest)
- 1967 – Richard Sommer bottles first vintage of Pinot Noir in Oregon
- 1970 – Scott Henry plants Henry Estate Vineyard in Umpqua and develops the Scott Henry trellis system
- 1995 Hilda and Earl Jones of Abacela pioneer Tempranillo (and other Spanish varietals) trial in Umpqua Valley
- 2005 Reustle Vineyards produces first Gruner Veltliner in US
More info:
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