The Umpqua Valley AVA is an American Viticultural Area located in Douglas County, Oregon. Entirely contained within the Southern Oregon AVA, the Umpqua Valley contains the drainage basin of the Umpqua River, and is bordered by the Cascade Mountains to the east and the Coastal Range to the west. It is a warmer climate than the Willamette Valley AVA to the north, but cooler than the Rogue Valley AVA to the south. Grapes grown here include Pinot Noir, with smaller amounts of Pinot Gris, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Riesling, as well as several French-American hybrids.

History

The "Hundred Valleys" of the Umpqua AVA has a history beginning in the 1880s with the introduction of Riesling and Zinfandel at the Doerner Farm, in what was then Cleveland, Oregon. (The vineyard is still in production and until 1965 was an active winery.) Forty years ago all the wine grapes in Oregon were grown in the Umpqua Valley. Lately there has been a renaissance in the wine industry with such progressive moves as planting the very first Tempranillo and Grüner Veltliner varietals in the U.S. As of 2008, there are 18 wineries open to the public. Umpqua Community College is now offering a two-year certificate in viticulture.

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