10 OREGON WINE TOURING GUIDE The diverse landscape of Oregon is thriving and growing, with over 100 varieties of wine grapes spread throughout the state’s 23 American Viticultural Areas (AVAs). Winemakers and wine lovers alike are excited by the varying expressions of these grapes when grown in different climates or crafted by different hands. Try some of the many different types of wines at convivial festivals throughout the year in Oregon. CHARDONNAY Growing by leaps and bounds in popularity and quality in Oregon, Chardonnay grows in both cool and warm climates throughout the state. Styles range from crisp, fruity and unoaked to more decadent expressions aged in oak barrels, creating diverse styles depending on location and winemaker. You can taste some of the top Chardonnays in the state each year, as well as attend thought-provoking seminars, at the Oregon Chardonnay Celebration, typically held in February. oregonchardonnaycelebration.org PINOT NOIR Oregon’s flagship grape is delicate and finicky, and traces its legacy back to the Bourgogne (or Burgundy) and Champagne regions of France. It grows best in cooler climates, like the Willamette Valley and many others throughout Oregon. Distinguished by red- and blue-berry fruits, baking spices, herbs and earth (think mushroom and truffle), Pinot noir displays textures that range from light- to medium-bodied with bright acidity. One of the most highly anticipated wine events of the year, the International Pinot Noir Celebration, happens each July in McMinnville. ipnc.org GAMAY, SYRAH, VIOGNIER AND MORE Oregon is home to over 100 wine grape varieties that have energized creative winemakers in recent years. Wines like light-bodied Gamay noir have proven themselves to have great promise in Oregon’s cooler growing regions, while warmer areas experiment with aromatic Syrah-Viognier blends. Billing itself as “Oregon’s other wine festival” as a good-natured reference to the IPNC, also held in July, the Alt Wine Fest in Carlton invites winemakers to celebrate wines made in Oregon that are not Pinot noir — everything from Albariño to Zinfandel. altwinefest.com MALBEC A red wine grape variety that's beloved in France and Argentina, Malbec has been quietly finding a home in Oregon. Popular because it pairs so well with food, it’s known for its full body and bright acidity and plush cherry and plum flavors. Malbec in the City explores the wine in all styles from white, pink and red to sparkling. Held every year in Portland, the April event includes over 40 Malbec producers, food pairings, tango dancing and live music. It also benefits Our Legacy Harvested, a nonprofit founded in 2020 dedicated to advancing and empowering the diverse community in the wine industry. malbecinthecity.com TEMPRANILLO Most often associated with the wines of Rioja, this Spanish variety thrives in warmer climates and produces wines that are full-bodied, with dark cherry, tobacco, leather, vanilla and peppery characteristics. Southern Oregon is home to many of the state’s plantings, where the thickskinned grapes are well suited to sites with hot summer days and cooler nights. As winemakers across the state have become inspired by the Iberian variety, acreage of Tempranillo vines has expanded. You can taste Oregon-grown Tempranillo paired with paella and tapas at an annual event typically held in July. oregontempranilloalliance.com Stoller Family Estate Oregon Grapes 101 By Mary Cressler SHAWN LINEHAN FOR YEAR-ROUND EVENTS: oregonwine.org/events
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