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Willamette Valley

United States

Willamette ValleyWillamette Valley

United States wine regions

About Willamette Valley

Oregon's flagship wine region, where David Lett planted the first Pinot Noir vines in 1965, defying skeptics who said it was too cold. The valley runs 240 km between the Coast Range and the Cascades, with eight sub-AVAs that reflect distinct soil types and exposures. This is now one of the world's premier sources of Pinot Noir, with a style that bridges Burgundy and the New World.

30–300 m

Elevation range

redwhite

Wine styles

8 AVAs

Avg. slope 4°

Vintage Ratings

Rating:
5
4
3
2
1
PeakReadyHold
Year20242023202220212020201920182017201620152014
Red
White

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Outstanding Willamette Valley Vintages

The best recent vintages rated excellent or exceptional.

Red

2024

Ready
Excellent

Promising early reports. Clean, balanced fruit.

2026Peak 2029–20332035

2023

Ready
Excellent

Fresh and pure. Cooler vintage with bright acidity and aromatic complexity.

2025Peak 2028–20322034

2022

Ready
Excellent

Classic, balanced Pinot Noir. Red cherry, spice, and earthy complexity.

2024Peak 2027–20322034

2021

Ready
Exceptional

Exceptional. A warm, dry vintage produced Oregon Pinot of unprecedented depth and concentration.

2024Peak 2027–20352038

2019

At peak
Excellent

Elegant and age-worthy. Red fruit, forest floor, and fine tannins.

2021Peak 2024–20302032

2018

At peak
Excellent

Excellent. Balanced between the warmth of 2014-15 and the cool of 2016.

2020Peak 2023–20302032

2016

At peak
Excellent

Return to classic Oregon Pinot: red fruit, earth, and vibrant acidity. A benchmark year.

2019Peak 2022–20302032

2015

At peak
Excellent

Another warm year. Concentrated, structured Pinot Noir with ageing potential.

2018Peak 2020–20282030

2014

At peak
Excellent

Warm vintage with rich, generous Pinot Noir. Dark fruit, spice, and accessible tannins.

2017Peak 2019–20262028

White

2024

At peak
Excellent

Promising.

2025Peak 2026–20292030

2023

At peak
Excellent

Aromatic and balanced. Excellent Chardonnay and Pinot Gris.

2024Peak 2025–20282029

2022

At peak
Excellent

Fresh, classic Oregon whites. Bright and mineral.

2023Peak 2024–20272028

2021

At peak
Excellent

Concentrated whites. Rich Chardonnay, ripe Pinot Gris.

2022Peak 2023–20262027

2019

Drink now
Excellent

Vibrant whites with bright acidity. Age-worthy Chardonnay.

2020Peak 2021–20242026

2018

Past window
Excellent

Balanced and textured. Excellent Chardonnay.

2019Peak 2020–20232025

2016

Past window
Excellent

Crisp, mineral whites. Chardonnay shows real Burgundian character.

2017Peak 2018–20222024

Sub-AVAs

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Terroir & Character

Climate

Cool maritimeLong growing seasonRain shadow

Cool, maritime-influenced climate moderated by the Coast Range. Growing seasons are long and mild, with rain concentrated in winter and dry, warm summers. The Van Duzer Corridor channels cool Pacific air through the Coast Range, creating some of Oregon's coolest vineyard sites.

Terroir

Volcanic basaltMarine sedimentLoessJory clay

Three distinct soil types tell the geological history: ancient marine sediments from when the valley was an ocean floor, volcanic basalt from Cascade eruptions, and windblown loess deposited by ice age floods. The red Jory volcanic soils of Dundee Hills are the most famous.

Typical Aromas

red cherrycranberryforest floorrose petalwet earthbaking spices
Explore the aroma wheel

Grapes of Willamette Valley

Chardonnay

white
Body
Sweetness
Acidity
green applelemonpearnectarine

Increasingly acclaimed, with a Burgundian profile: bright acidity, citrus, and subtle oak. A rising star.

Pinot Gris

white
Body
Sweetness
Acidity
lemonpeachmangobanana

Oregon's second grape: medium-bodied, with pear and white peach. Drier and more textured than Alsatian Pinot Gris.

Pinot Noir

red
Body
Tannins
Sweetness
Acidity
strawberryraspberryred cherryviolet

Oregon's signature grape: earthy, elegant, with red fruit, mushroom, and forest floor. The volcanic Jory soils of Dundee Hills produce the most structured wines.