Oregon Flashcards
Who planted the HillCrest vineyard in 1961?
Richard Sommer
In what valley is the HillCrest vineyard located?
Umpqua Valley
In what year did David Lett first arrive in Oregon?
1965 - started a nursery @ Corvalis while looking for a permanent vineyard site.
Who were the first two people to plant Pinot Noir in the Willamette Valley?
David Lett
Charles Coury
Who was the first to plant in the Eola-Amity Hills?
Myron Redford
In what year was Eyrie Vineyards established?
1966
What bottling from Eyrie Vineyards brought attention to the Willamette Valley in 1979?
1975 South Block Reserve
What geographical feature channels maritime winds into McMinnville and the Eola-Amity Hills?
Van Duzer Corridor - a break in the coastal mountain range.
When does the Willamette Valley receive the majority of its annual rainfall?
Late autumn, winter.
October-April
What primary threat do vine growers face with late-season rains?
Rot during harvest
How does southern Oregon differ climactically from the Willamette Valley?
Notably warmer and drier
How was the loess found throughout Oregon formed?
Glacial movement created “rock flour” - it’s easily windblown
Broadly speaking, where would one expect to find the deepest loess deposits?
In sheltered/protected sites
Briefly describe the Missoula Floods, and their importance.
Cyclical flooding from Lake Missoula carved the Columbia Gorge and deposited sediment throughout the Columbia and Willamette valleys.
What is the primary soil series left/created by the Missoula Floods?
Woodburn
True/False: Woodburn soils are most prominently found in low-lying areas and across valley floors.
True
What two mountain ranges frame the Willamette Valley?
Coastal range (west) Cascade Mountains (east)
Where are the Klamath Mountains located?
Southern Oregon, east of the coastal range
Name the 5 major river systems of Oregon.
Willamette McKenzie Snake Rogue Umpqua
What is the most common aspect for vineyards in the Willamette Valley?
South, southeast facing
Describe Willakenzie soils.
Uplifted marine seabeds
Silty clay loam over sandstone and siltstone
Wines produced from grapes grown on Willakenzie soils are known for having what chracteristics?
Black fruit! - Black cherry, black currant, blackberry
Density, concentration, richness.
Describe Jory soils.
Volcanic soils from Columbia River Basalt
Noted red/russet color
Wines from Jory soils often show what characteristics?
Red fruit dominant
Ethereal, light
Name one other volcanic soil series found in Oregon that is not Jory.
Nekia
True/False: Jory soils can be found all across Oregon.
False. They are found only in western Oregon.
Woodburn soils are better suited to 1) viticulture, or 2) mixed agriculture.
2) Mixed agriculture
They are too fertile and productive for quality grape growing.
What were the earliest clones of Pinot Noir to be planted in the Willamette Valley?
Wädenswil, Pommard
Who isolated the “Dijon” clones of Pinot Noir?
Dr. Raymond Bernard
From where did the cuttings of Dijon clone Pinot Noir originate?
Domaine Ponsot
Who brought Dijon clones of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay to the United States?
David Adelsheim
Why are Dijon clones preferred over others?
Earlier ripening, lower yields
How do Wädenswil and Pommard clones compare?
Wädenswil is known for lift, perfume and elegance
Pommard shows more dense fruit, color, and spice
How is irrigation most commonly utilized in Oregon?
To help establish new vineyards and offset summer drought.
What broad viticultural practices are widely adopted in Oregon?
Biodynamics, organic
Most producers follow, even without official certification
When was phylloxera discovered in the Willamette Valley?
1990
How does classic Willamette Pinot Noir differ from California and Burgundy?
Lighter, more earth driven than California
More ripe and forward than Burgundy
Stylistically, is new oak the norm or the exception for Willamette Pinot Noir?
The exception!
What is the required percentage for varietally labelled wines from Oregon? Does this differ from the standards set by the TTB?
90%
Yes, the TTB only requires 75%
What is the required percentage for AVA-labelled wines in Oregon? Does this differ from the TTB?
95%
Yes, the TTB only requires 85%
Name the sub-AVAs of the Willamette Valley.
Chehalem Mountains Ribbon Ridge Yamhill-Carlton District Dundee Hills McMinnville Eola-Amity Hills
What is the most important vineyard located in Yamhill-Carlton District?
Shea Vineyard
What soil type is prominently found in the Dundee Hills?
Jory
Name 3 important vineyards in the Dundee Hills.
Eyrie
Maresh
Abbey Ridge
From where do the Eola-Amity Hills get their name?
Aeolus - Keeper of Winds from Greek mythology.
Are wines from McMinnville and Eola-Amity more likely to be light and delicate, or dense and concentrated? Why?
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.
What vineyard in the Eola-Amity Hills has been described as “one of Oregon’s finest, most consistent vineyards”?
Seven Springs Vineyard
What two soil types comprise most of the vineyards in the Eola-Amity Hills?
Uplifted marine sediments
Volcanic
Applegate Valley AVA is wholly located within what larger AVA?
Rogue Valley AVA
Elkton Oregon and Red Hill Douglas County are sub-AVAs of what larger region?
Umpqua Valley AVA
Name 5 red varietals that adhere to the 75% rule, not the 90% rule for labelling laws in Oregon.
Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc Petite Sirah Malbec Grenache
Name the 4 white grapes that follow a 75% minimum for varietal labelling in Oregon.
Marsanne
Roussanne
Sauvignon Blanc
Sémillon
