Location matters

WVWA is proud to be a member of the Declaration to Protect Wine Place & Origin.

Total Geographic Area

Between Oregon’s Cascade Mountains and the Coast Range, more than 100 miles long and spanning 60 miles at its widest point. 3,438,000 acres.

Major cities & populations

Portland: 639,863
Salem: 161,637
Eugene: 160,561
Corvallis: 54,953
McMinnville: 33,393
Newberg: 22,692

Distance to the Pacific Ocean

50 miles (McMinnville to Lincoln City)

Total number of:

Vineyard acres planted: 25,452
Vineyards: 877
Wineries: 676

First Pinot noir planting

David Lett, 1965

Major soils

Marine Sedimentary: Willakenzie
Volcanic (Basalt): Jory, Nekia
Windblown Loess (Silts): Laurelwood

Willamette Valley % of Oregon production

68% of planted vineyard acreage
70% of wine production
83% of Pinot noir production

REGION 1 cool climate

Typical Summer/Winter Temperature
June-August high/low: 78.3/52.2ºF
December-February high/low: 47.6/35.1ºF

Typical Monthly Rainfall
June-August rainfall: 1.02″
December-February rainfall: 6.4″

Typical Annual Rainfall
Portland: 39 inches
McMinnville (wine country): 29 inches

Typical Rainfall
June-September total: 3.27″ (0.8″ per month)

Typical Growing Season Weather (McMinnville)
Typical Temperature
June-September high/low: 79/50ºF
June-September days > 80ºF: 60
June-September days > 90ºF: 18

Typical Heat Accumulation
April-October: 2,285 degree-days

Data from the 2019 Oregon Vineyard & Winery Census Report, University of Oregon