Oregon

Question 1

Who planted the HillCrest vineyard in 1961?

Answer 1

Richard Sommer

Question 2

In what valley is the HillCrest vineyard located?

Answer 2

Umpqua Valley

Question 3

In what year did David Lett first arrive in Oregon?

Answer 3

1965 - started a nursery @ Corvalis while looking for a permanent vineyard site.

Question 4

Who were the first two people to plant Pinot Noir in the Willamette Valley?

Answer 4

David Lett

Charles Coury

Question 5

Who was the first to plant in the Eola-Amity Hills?

Answer 5

Myron Redford

Question 6

In what year was Eyrie Vineyards established?

Answer 6

1966

Question 7

What bottling from Eyrie Vineyards brought attention to the Willamette Valley in 1979?

Answer 7

1975 South Block Reserve

Question 8

What geographical feature channels maritime winds into McMinnville and the Eola-Amity Hills?

Answer 8

Van Duzer Corridor - a break in the coastal mountain range.

Question 9

When does the Willamette Valley receive the majority of its annual rainfall?

Answer 9

Late autumn, winter.

October-April

Question 10

What primary threat do vine growers face with late-season rains?

Answer 10

Rot during harvest

Question 11

How does southern Oregon differ climactically from the Willamette Valley?

Answer 11

Notably warmer and drier

Question 12

How was the loess found throughout Oregon formed?

Answer 12

Glacial movement created “rock flour” - it’s easily windblown

Question 13

Broadly speaking, where would one expect to find the deepest loess deposits?

Answer 13

In sheltered/protected sites

Question 14

Briefly describe the Missoula Floods, and their importance.

Answer 14

Cyclical flooding from Lake Missoula carved the Columbia Gorge and deposited sediment throughout the Columbia and Willamette valleys.

Question 15

What is the primary soil series left/created by the Missoula Floods?

Answer 15

Woodburn

Question 16

True/False: Woodburn soils are most prominently found in low-lying areas and across valley floors.

Answer 16

True

Question 17

What two mountain ranges frame the Willamette Valley?

Answer 17

Coastal range (west)
Cascade Mountains (east)

Question 18

Where are the Klamath Mountains located?

Answer 18

Southern Oregon, east of the coastal range

Question 19

Name the 5 major river systems of Oregon.

Answer 19

Willamette
McKenzie
Snake 
Rogue
Umpqua

Question 20

What is the most common aspect for vineyards in the Willamette Valley?

Answer 20

South, southeast facing

Question 21

Describe Willakenzie soils.

Answer 21

Uplifted marine seabeds

Silty clay loam over sandstone and siltstone

Question 22

Wines produced from grapes grown on Willakenzie soils are known for having what chracteristics?

Answer 22

Black fruit! - Black cherry, black currant, blackberry

Density, concentration, richness.

Question 23

Describe Jory soils.

Answer 23

Volcanic soils from Columbia River Basalt

Noted red/russet color

Question 24

Wines from Jory soils often show what characteristics?

Answer 24

Red fruit dominant

Ethereal, light

Question 25

Name one other volcanic soil series found in Oregon that is not Jory.

Answer 25

Nekia

Question 26

True/False: Jory soils can be found all across Oregon.

Answer 26

False. They are found only in western Oregon.

Question 27

Woodburn soils are better suited to 1) viticulture, or 2) mixed agriculture.

Answer 27

2) Mixed agriculture | They are too fertile and productive for quality grape growing.

Question 28

What were the earliest clones of Pinot Noir to be planted in the Willamette Valley?

Answer 28

Wädenswil, Pommard

Question 29

Who isolated the "Dijon" clones of Pinot Noir?

Answer 29

Dr. Raymond Bernard

Question 30

From where did the cuttings of Dijon clone Pinot Noir originate?

Answer 30

Domaine Ponsot

Question 31

Who brought Dijon clones of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay to the United States?

Answer 31

David Adelsheim

Question 32

Why are Dijon clones preferred over others?

Answer 32

Earlier ripening, lower yields

Question 33

How do Wädenswil and Pommard clones compare?

Answer 33

Wädenswil is known for lift, perfume and elegance Pommard shows more dense fruit, color, and spice

Question 34

How is irrigation most commonly utilized in Oregon?

Answer 34

To help establish new vineyards and offset summer drought.

Question 35

What broad viticultural practices are widely adopted in Oregon?

Answer 35

Biodynamics, organic | Most producers follow, even without official certification

Question 36

When was phylloxera discovered in the Willamette Valley?

Answer 36

1990

Question 37

How does classic Willamette Pinot Noir differ from California and Burgundy?

Answer 37

Lighter, more earth driven than California More ripe and forward than Burgundy

Question 38

Stylistically, is new oak the norm or the exception for Willamette Pinot Noir?

Answer 38

The exception!

Question 39

What is the required percentage for varietally labelled wines from Oregon? Does this differ from the standards set by the TTB?

Answer 39

90% | Yes, the TTB only requires 75%

Question 40

What is the required percentage for AVA-labelled wines in Oregon? Does this differ from the TTB?

Answer 40

95% | Yes, the TTB only requires 85%

Question 41

Name the sub-AVAs of the Willamette Valley.

Answer 41

``` Chehalem Mountains Ribbon Ridge Yamhill-Carlton District Dundee Hills McMinnville Eola-Amity Hills ```

Question 42

What is the most important vineyard located in Yamhill-Carlton District?

Answer 42

Shea Vineyard

Question 43

What soil type is prominently found in the Dundee Hills?

Answer 43

Jory

Question 44

Name 3 important vineyards in the Dundee Hills.

Answer 44

Eyrie Maresh Abbey Ridge

Question 45

From where do the Eola-Amity Hills get their name?

Answer 45

Aeolus - Keeper of Winds from Greek mythology.

Question 46

Are wines from McMinnville and Eola-Amity more likely to be light and delicate, or dense and concentrated? Why?

Answer 46

Dense and concentrated. Winds coming through the Van Duzer Corridor are harsh on the grapes, keeping them smaller. Higher skin to juice ratio = deeper color, more tannin, bigger structure.

Question 47

What vineyard in the Eola-Amity Hills has been described as "one of Oregon's finest, most consistent vineyards"?

Answer 47

Seven Springs Vineyard

Question 48

What two soil types comprise most of the vineyards in the Eola-Amity Hills?

Answer 48

Uplifted marine sediments Volcanic

Question 49

Applegate Valley AVA is wholly located within what larger AVA?

Answer 49

Rogue Valley AVA

Question 50

Elkton Oregon and Red Hill Douglas County are sub-AVAs of what larger region?

Answer 50

Umpqua Valley AVA

Question 51

Name 5 red varietals that adhere to the 75% rule, not the 90% rule for labelling laws in Oregon.

Answer 51

``` Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc Petite Sirah Malbec Grenache ```

Question 52

Name the 4 white grapes that follow a 75% minimum for varietal labelling in Oregon.

Answer 52

Marsanne Roussanne Sauvignon Blanc Sémillon