Oregon’s Emerging Wine Country Sets the Standard for Sustainable Wine
Tualatin Valley is located in the northern tip of the Willamette Valley American Viticultural Area (AVA), and is a 30-minute drive from downtown Portland. Known as the gateway to Oregon’s wine country, this region offers a variety of wines and wineries ranging from larger, well-known brands to boutique labels.
Tualatin Valley’s wine country consists of more than 30 family-owned wineries, including Ponzi Vineyards, one of the oldest and most recognized wineries in Oregon. Many of Washington County’s wineries produce accessible, drinkable, sustainable, environmentally friendly wines.
Washington County’s Wine History
Oregon has earned a strong reputation of producing some of the best Pinot Noir in the country. As the state’s wine industry has grown, so has attention to the Willamette Valley, specifically cities and towns such as Dundee, Newberg, Carlton and McMinnville, Ore. As a wine region, Oregon’s Washington County, is not as well-known as other areas in the state. However, this burgeoning wine region boasts some of the oldest vines in the state, and the county played a significant part in the state’s wine history.
Sustainability: Biodynamic and Organic Wines
For many years, Oregon’s agricultural industry incorporated sustainable farming techniques, and the region’s wine industry adopted techniques to create biodynamic and organic wines. The Pacific Northwest has remained a leader in the sustainability wine movement, which has gained in popularity in recent years.
A Growing Wine Industry Brings New Events to the Tualatin Valley
For decades, Memorial Day and Thanksgiving open-house weekends have been popular wine events throughout the Willamette Valley. These events, in which wineries collaborate to offer special tastings, pairings and entertainment at their respective wineries and tasting rooms, continue to be a draw for residents and visitors. In recent years, numerous new events have launched in the Tualatin Valey, furthering the collaborative spirit of the wineries in the region.
The Future of Washington County’s Wines
Wine production in this region continues to grow, as more vintners are looking to the Willamette Valley to produce high-quality wines. Oregon’s unique urban growth boundary has protected the region’s agricultural lands by limiting urban growth and sprawl. Washington County’s wine industry is ever-changing, and new developments, including new wineries, have been announced in recent months.
New and coming soon:
About Tualatin Valley
Tualatin Valley–the heart of Oregon’s Washington County–is scenically situated between Portland and the Oregon Coast. The destination covers 727 square miles and includes the growing communities of Banks, Beaverton, Cornelius, Forest Grove, Gaston, Hillsboro, King City, North Plains, Sherwood, Tigard, Tualatin and Wilsonville. Washington County is home to world-class golf courses, award-winning wineries, an array of outdoor recreation opportunities, lush, natural and scenic wetlands and wildlife preserves, superb dining, and myriad shopping.
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MEDIA CONTACTS
Sylke Neal-Finnegan, APR
Director of Marketing and Communications
(503) 644-5555 | Email
