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The settlers of Oregon began planting grapes and producing wine in the Umpqua valley in the 1880s. Coming up slowly three decades ago, the Oregon wine industry has since grown at a very healthy pace.

What began as five wineries in 1970 has blossomed into more than 200 today, ranking just behind California, Washington and New York.

The North Willamette Valley Region of Oregan is about 100 miles long and up to 60 miles wide. This small stretch of land is where you'll find the greatest number of vineyards in the area. With the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Cascade Mountain Range to the east, the conditions are ideal for cool climate grape varieties including Pinot Gris, Riesling, Chardonnay, and especially Pinot Noir.

The South Willamette Valley produces warmer climatic varieties —Merlot, Marechal Foch, and Cabernet franc—as well as the cool loving Pinot noir, Pinot gris, Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Muller-Thurgau and Chardonnay.

In the southwest, Oregon's Umpqua Valley, Applegate Valley and Rogue Valley wine regions are warmer and drier and known for their Bordelaise and Rhone varietals. The wineries that dot the northern coast do not grow their own grapes for the most part...but you can get a fine chocolate-orange wine at one!

Oregon Wines, Oregon Wineries, Oregon Wine - The Guide - News and feature columns, articles and reviews, a busy messageboard, upcoming events, a comprehensive database of Oregon wineries searchable by name, location, wines and tasting rooms, plus general guides to varietals, wine and food pairing and Wine 101 Educational Articles.

Oregonwine.org - More from the Oregon Wine Board with a winery and vineyard directory, an interactive map, downloadable wine guide, event calendar, wine glossary, fast facts, favorite wine toasts, forums, newsletter and more.

Wines of Oregon - Besides listing wineries and vineyards, this site has sections on each region explaining the climate and the the setting that creates it. The short intros explain why various grape varieties do better in certain areas and give you a good idea of which wines you'll find. .

The Southern Oregon Winery Association - Listings with links to the many wineries who are members and a brief discussion of the wines produced and the different conditions which make up the terroir of the wine growing areas in the region.

Oregon Wine, Wineries and Wine Country - Extensive info on Oregon's wine regions including Umpqua Valley, Applegate Valley, Rogue Valley, Columbia Gorge and Willamette Valley with more on sorting out Oregon's appellations.

OregonLive.com - Oregon & Washington Wineries - A guide to all of Oregon's wineries with interactive map and closeup profiles of featured wineries.

Oregon Wineries - Powerful database courtesy of Avalon Wines searchable by Oregon or Washington region, varietal and more with intractive maps, feature stories.

also see -> Oregon Beaches | Oregon Tourist Attractions

Oregon Fall Foliage

also see -> Washington State Wineries