| For a time our son lived in Anacortes, Washington. | | | | I recommend you contact one of the many Oregon |
| A summer not long ago, my wife and I traveled up | | | | Wine Tour businesses to set up the perfect trip for |
| Interstate 5 along the west coast to visit him. The | | | | your wine taste and interests. |
| scenery along I-5 was like looking at a collection of | | | | Many of the Oregon wine grapes, especially the |
| mail home postcards. Once we hit the Oregon | | | | cool-zone grown varieties, exhibit high levels of a |
| State line, another common thread of notoriety was | | | | potent antioxidant derived from grape skins called |
| the vast number of wineries and vineyards we saw | | | | resveratrol. Antioxidants have been known to have |
| along the way. We decided to slow our trip and | | | | positive effects on one's health. Wine drinking in |
| spend time exploring and learning more about Oregon | | | | moderation, according to recent studies, exhibited |
| Wine Country. | | | | health benefits of improved heart health and |
| We learned that there are currently over 400 | | | | decreased incident of illness. About 65 percent of |
| wineries and 875 vineyards in the state. Planted | | | | the grapes cultivated are of the red varieties, while |
| acreage is over 19,000 acres, which makes the | | | | 35 percent are of the white. |
| average vineyard about 20 to 25 acres. Oregon | | | | The top five wine varieties are cultivated on about |
| wine growers are mostly small, family-owned | | | | 85 percent of the total planted acreage of 19,300 |
| operations by people with a deep love for and an | | | | acres. Pinot noir is the most cultivated variety on |
| enduring responsibility to care for the land. Many of | | | | nearly 59 percent of the total planted acreage. |
| these small producers make 5,000 cases of wine or | | | | Pinot gris is cultivated on about 14 percent of the |
| less. What they lack in production they gain in | | | | acreage; Chardonnay on about 5 percent; Reisling on |
| quality by their careful attention to details. Oregon is | | | | about 4 percent and Cabernet Sauvignon on about 3 |
| currently ranked third in the U.S. with regard to the | | | | percent. Other wine varieties you could often in |
| number of wineries. Oregon wine sales in 2008 | | | | counter include Syrah, Gewurztraminer, Viognier, |
| were nearly 1.75 million cases and production today is | | | | Cabernet France, Zinfandel, Sauvignon blanc and Pinot |
| approaching 2.0 million cases. | | | | blanc. With close to 70 different varieties known to |
| There are six wine growing zones in Oregon | | | | be cultivated, it is reasonable to assume you will |
| scattered throughout the western base of the | | | | easily find one to fit your taste. |
| Cascade Mountains. The zones are 1) Rogue Valley, | | | | If you are considering a tour of Oregon Wine |
| 2) Umpqua Valley, 3) South Willamette Valley, 4) | | | | Country, plan to go in October or November. During |
| North Willamette Valley, 5) Columbia Valley and 6) | | | | this time of year, you will be able to experience a |
| Walla-Walla area. Zones 1 through 4 can easily be | | | | collaboration of wine makers, cheese makers, brew |
| accessed using U.S. Interstate Highway 5. Zones 5 | | | | masters, chefs, growers and producers. The annual |
| and 6 are best accessed using U.S. Interstate | | | | celebration is called Oregon Bounty, a unique Oregon |
| Highway 84. Using Portland as a starting point head | | | | event. This unique event could very well provide |
| south on Interstate 5 to the towns of Eugene, | | | | you with some tips to making your next wine tasting |
| Roseburg and Medford to tour Zones 1 to 4. Use | | | | party a favorite with your friends. Remember to |
| I-84 going east from Portland to tour Zones 5 and | | | | enjoy your wine to the greatest extent by storing it |
| 6. With the large number of wineries and vineyards, | | | | and serving it at just the right temperature. |