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NEW 2008 GUIDE TO OREGON’S WILLAMETTE VALLEY WINERIES HELPS TRAVELERS PLAN A WINE TOURING ADVENTURE
10-04-2007
PORTLAND, Oregon (October 4, 2007) — Traveling the back roads of Oregon’s Willamette Valley wine
region is easier with the latest touring guide produced by the Willamette Valley
Wineries Association. Comprised of 167 member wineries and tasting rooms, the
WVWA strives to promote Oregon’s largest wine producing regions located within
driving distance of downtown Portland and spanning the valley south to Eugene.
The new 2008 Guide
to Willamette Valley Wineries is free of charge and is available
at visitor associations, hotels and travel centers throughout Oregon, or by
ordering online at www.willamettewines.com.
The guide contains a map and listings for wineries and
tasting rooms located throughout the Willamette Valley with the seven American
Viticulture Areas (AVAs) highlighted in different colors. The oldest AVA is the
Willamette Valley made up of 5,372 square miles and designated an AVA in 1983.
The other AVAs, sub AVAs of the Willamette Valley, have been added more
recently. They include Chehalem Mountains, Dundee Hills, Eola-Amity Hills,
McMinnville, Ribbon Ridge and Yamhill-Carlton District. The guide also features
dining, lodging and attractions in the Willamette Valley to round out a wine
touring holiday.
“Every year our guide expands as new wineries and tasting
rooms open in the Willamette Valley,” said Sue Horstmann, Executive Director of
the Willamette Valley Wineries Association. “The national popularity of wine
touring together with the increase in demand for Pinot Noir has brought
favorable attention to Oregon and to the Willamette Valley. We are thrilled that
the Willamette Valley was recently named a finalist for the Wine
Enthusiast’s Star award for the top wine region in the
world.”
Celebrating 25 years of wine
tasting
Winter wine tasting season in Oregon’s Willamette Valley
kicks off with the 25th annual Wine Country Thanksgiving from November 23-25, 2007 from 11
a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. This annual holiday weekend brings families together to
explore the pastoral beauty of the Willamette Valley and taste a wide range of
Oregon wine -- from the highly acclaimed Pinot Noir to other varietals such as
Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc and
Syrah. Many small, family-owned wineries only open to the public
during Thanksgiving and Memorial Day weekends allowing for opportunities to meet
the winemaker and sample new releases. Each winery organizes their own events
ranging from artisan food tastes of local cheeses and hand-dipped truffles to
art displays and live music. For a complete listing of wineries open during
Thanksgiving weekend, along with details about special events and individual
tasting fees, visit www.willamettewines.com to request a touring map and
guide.
Oregon Bounty Promotion Celebrates Willamette Valley
Wineries
Many of the region's wineries are also part of Oregon
Bounty, a two-month promotion produced by Travel Oregon (the Oregon Tourism
Commission). During October and November, Oregon Bounty highlights the state's
wineries, restaurants, breweries, inns and hotels, and culinary destinations. To
learn more about special events and lodging packages available in the Willamette
Valley, visit www.TravelOregon.com/bounty.
About Willamette Valley Wineries
Association
The WVWA is a non-profit industry association dedicated to
achieving recognition for the Willamette Valley as a premier Pinot Noir
producing region. Currently, the WVWA has 167 members representing wineries and
tasting rooms throughout the Willamette Valley region – from Portland to Eugene.
Memorial Weekend in
Wine Country (May 24-26, 2008) and Wine Country
Thanksgiving (November 23-25, 2007) are the two oldest wine touring
events in Oregon. The WVWA is led by Executive Director Sue Horstmann and a
Board of Directors including David Adelsheim, Adelsheim Vineyard; Josh
Bergstrom, Bergstrom Winery; Harry Peterson-Nedry, Chehalem; Pat Dudley, Bethel
Heights; Annie Shull, Raptor Ridge and Steve Vuylsteke. For more information or
to request a wine touring map, please visit www.willamettewines.com or call
503-646-2985. [Back to Press Releases Main]
