The Wine Industry in Oregon was born at the beginning of the '60, when a group of open-minded winemaker from U.C. Davis decided that the Umpqua and Willamette Valleys were suitable for grape growing. Among the first to establish their vineyards in Oregon, we can mention Richard Sommer (Hillcrest Vineyards),Richard and Nancy Ponzi and Susan and Bill Sokol Blosser. Nowdays Oregon has more than 350 wineries, 15 approved Wine Growing Regions and over 70 grape varieties cultivated. Of this 70 grape varieties cultivated, 15 account for almost 97% of the total production. Oregon has earned its reputation for its wonderful Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay and Riesling. It also produces very good Merlot, Cabernet sauvignon, Syrah, Gewürztraminer, Pinot blanc, Müller-Thurgau, Cabernet franc, Sauvignon blanc, Semillon and Zinfandel.
The total acreage planted to wine grapes increased from 1,100 acres in 1980 to 15,600 acres in 2006. In the same year there were more than 350 wineries while in 1986 the total number was just 47.
Red wine represent 60% of the total production which was 1,6 million cases in 2006.

Oregon has one of the most diverse micro-climate variety in the world together with a wide range of different soils. That means that growers are able to plant vines where they adapt better. Moreover, most wineries in Oregon have a very small production and a high attention to detail. All together brings into the bottle very interesting wines, usually not too extracted, high in acidity and complex in the mouth. Certainly Oregon is the best place in the US to grow Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay. Some of the best Oregon Pinot Gris really resemble sometimes red Burgundies.

In Oregon today there are nine federally recognized American Viticultural Areas:

1)  Willamette Valley          Recognized in 1984 has six sub-AVAs: