An Oregon AVA Flood of Epic Proportions

Thousands of years ago, the Missoula Floods gave birth to what are now the diverse terroirs of the Pacific Northwest. Today, the region is experiencing a different kind of flood: namely, a flood of newly-approved AVAs (American Viticultural Areas).

The Pacific Northwest might be America’s most dynamic AVA landscape at the moment: Washington State has approved five new AVAs in the last two years alone. Not to be outdone, Oregon is using its signature red grape—Pinot Noir, known for its uncanny (and, sometimes, maddening) ability to reflect the unique characteristics of the environment in which it’s grown—to reveal nuances within the Willamette Valley significant enough to merit sub-AVAs. Four such AVAs were recently approved: Van Duzer Corridor, Lower Long Tom, Tualatin Hills, and Laurelwood District.

While no AVA earns approval without serious legwork that can take years to pull together, seeing these newer AVAs on bottles of Willamette wines might come as a surprise for many consumers.

Our academy’s Oregon Wine Expert course will give you the latest and greatest details on all of these exciting changes in Oregon’s AVA scene. Before you sign up, here’s a primer on what students of the vine need to know about Willamette Valley’s newest AVAs.