Four rivers and 170 microclimates shape Southern Oregon's five nested AVAs. Cooler areas favor Pinot noir, Pinot gris and Sauvignon blanc. In warmer, arid areas, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo and Syrah ripen well. Merlot and Viognier are grown here too, giving the region a broad mix of grapes.
Elsewhere in Oregon
Continue through the region
- Columbia GorgeNo producers listed yetColumbia Gorge straddles the Oregon-Washington border, moving from a wet western climate to high desert in the east. Its vineyards range from sea level to 2,000 feet.
- Columbia Valley5 producersColumbia Valley extends beyond Oregon into a much larger growing region centered on Washington. Its broad label can cover very different wines, so the producer is useful context when choosing a bottle.
- Willamette Valley13 producersBetween the Coast Range and Cascades, Willamette Valley follows the river of the same name for more than 100 miles. Pinot noir leads, with Pinot gris, Chardonnay and Riesling alongside it.