As of 2016, Oregon has 424 wineries.
Oregon produces more than 39 different varietals.
(Source: the Oregon Wine Advisory Board)
In 2015, total acreage in Oregon was 28,034 acres.
In 2016 the top five varieties produced in Oregon were:
- Pinot noir 17,744 acres
- Pinot gris 3,705 acres
- Chardonnay 1,482 acres
- Riesling 713 acres
- Cabernet Sauvignon 626 acres
(Source: the Wikipedia)
In 2015, Oregon wine sales yielded 3,000,000 cases, worth an estimated $470 million.
Compare this to 2001, in which Oregon wine sales yielded 1,082,058 cases, worth an estimated $195 million.
(Source: Wikipedia)
Oregon’s wine industry has grown consistently and rapidly!
In 1995, Oregon had 92 wineries crushing grapes and producing wine.
In 2000, that number had climbed to 122.
In 2005, Oregon wineries increased in numbers to 215.
In 2010, it had increased again to 310.
As of 2016, 424 Oregon wineries were crushing grapes.
These statistics don’t include wineries that purchasing juice or participating in private production, which by some estimates in 2017 account for up to 300 additional wineries across the State.
In 2002, comparing wine production strictly on the basis of white to red, the ratio stood at 50% white and 50% red wine.
In 2001, comparing wine production strictly on the basis of white to red, the ratio stood at 45% white and 55% red wine.
(Source: the Oregon Wine Board)
In 1855, Peter Britt opened a winery, and produced wines with grapes grown outside the state.
Oregon’s first commercial winery opened in 1883.
The Hudson Bay Company established Oregon’s first vineyard in Fort Vancouver, around 1825. Pioneers planted vines in Oregon, many along the Columbia Gorge, 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.
Oregon has 17 officially recognized AVAs (appellations, or growing regions). As defined by federal law, each AVA is host to a unique set of growing conditions, which include soil quality and mineral content, and precipitation levels.
For more information, visit our section on Oregon wine growing regions.
There is no one single group in charge or control of Oregon wineries. However, several independent groups provide local wineries with a number of services, including wine shipping legislation, event planning, and wine marketing. These include:
– Oregon Wine Advisory Board
– Oregon Winegrowers Association
– Southern Oregon Winegrowers Association
– Yamhill County Wineries Association
– And of course… OregonWines.com!