The industry has grown in stages, and like any industry, has a rich history. The Hudson Bay Company established Oregon's first vineyard in Fort Vancouver, around 1825. Pioneers planted vines in Oregon in the mid-1800s. Some of the oldest Zinfandel vines can be found near Hood River, in the Columbia Gorge, and were planted well over 125 years ago. The first winery opened in 1855. The first commercial winery opened in 1883. Present-day wineries in Oregon were first established in the late 1950s, and their numbers increased quickly in the 60s and 70s. Oregon's wine industry typically looks to the 1960s as its birthyear, despite the state's lengthy history.
This article was written by OregonWines.com staff.
