Umpqua Valley Wineries
Umpqua Valley wineries come from the most diverse winegrowing region of Oregon.
Spanning 40 miles in width and 60 miles in length, the Umpqua Valley AVA sits south of the Willamette Valley AVA and north of the Rogue Valley AVA.
The Umpqua Valley has been growing wine grapes since 1934, making the region the oldest continuously producing wine region in the Pacific Northwest.
Umpqua Valley wineries now number 27, though the figure changes every few years.
In 1961 Richard Somers of Hillcrest Winery was the first to plant pinot noir, which has grown to become the signature grape of Oregon.
In 1969 Umpqua Valley winery pioneers established the first Oregon wine trade organization, which has now evolved into the statewide Oregon Winegrowers Association.
Umpqua Valley wineries can successfully grow both cool and warm varieties. It’s comprised of three distinct climatic sub-zones:
1) The northern area around the town of Elkton enjoys a cool, marine-influenced climate. It receives around 50 inches of annual rainfall, making irrigation unnecessary. Pinot noir, riesling and gewurztraminer were first planted there in 1972.
2) The central area to the northwest of Roseburg has a transitional, or intermediate, climate where both cool and warm varieties do quite well.
3) The area south of Roseburg is warmer and more arid with 24 annual inches of rainfall, making irrigation necessary.
Warm-climate varieties, including tempranillo, syrah, albarino, and merlot thrive here.
Locals like to claim that you can travel from Alsace through the Rhone to Rioja in less than one hour in the Umpqua Valley. And from my three days in the region it is certainly true
Umpqua Valley Wineries: Meadows Estate
In our tour of Umpqua Valley wineries, Meadows Estate offers a great variety of red wines, from pinot noir to Rhone varieties.
This family owned winery was formally known as MarshAnne Landing Winery. It is located in the heart of the Umpqua Valley in Southern Oregon, just 20 minutes north of Roseburg and 3 miles off I-5.
Native Amerians used it as a winter basecamp. Later it becamea stage coach stop between Portland and San Francisco.
Their goal is to continue the Cramer legacy of producing flavorful “Out of This World Wines” from fruit meticulously grown and freshly harvested from our own 17 Acre vineyard.
Their grapes are varietals traditionally grown in the Rhone and Bordeaux regions of France. Popular varietals include, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Viognier, Tempranillo and Chardonnay to name a few.
MarshAnne Landing was the vision of Greg and Francis Cramer that began in 1996 with the purchase of a cattle ranch in the Umpqua Valley.
It’s a region similar to the Rhone Valley of France.
In the Spring of 1999, 12,000 grafted vines were delivered to a planting team of 17 friends who came from across the country to help the Cramer’s launch their dream, planting 10 varieties on 14 acres.
New owners Dexter and Marilyn Meadow let passion lead them to MarshAnne Landing.
Today, as Meadows Estates Vineyard and Winery takes possession from MarshAnne Landing it has expanded to 17 acres of vines.
Through planned events, workshops, tasting room, onsite lodging, wedding venue, vineyard and grounds tours, Meadows Estates presents rich history and local traditions!
Brandburg Vineyards and Winery
Next we headed over to Elkton where pinot noir, riesling and gewurztraminer were first planted in 1972 for stops at Brandborg Vineyard and Winery and Bradley Vineyards . Elkton is only 35 miles from the coast and the gap in the Coast Range facilitates a very strong marine influence.
Brandborg Vineyard & Winery grows and produces distinct, elegant Pinot noir and Alsace inspired white wines with pure varietal expression
Terry and Sue Brandborg began their search for a cool, coastal climate terroir that would produce harmonious, distinct wines.
Their journey of discovery led them to Elkton, Oregon, in Oregon’s Umpqua Valley. With passion and a steadfast belief in the quality of their chosen site, they planted the first 5 acres of pinot noir, only the beginning of an eventual 50 acres of vines.
This spectacular property rises to 1100 feet with a direct sightline to the Umpqua River and the Oregon coast range.
The Brandborgs have built a functional winery with a beautiful spacious tasting room in charming Eltkon. Both are self-taught in winemaking and grape growing and after 40 vintages remain committed to continued learning and growth.
A stubborn focus on detail and an uncompromising, do it yourself, hands on approach has resulted in harmonious wines made for the table, praised by customers and critics alike.
Elkton Oregon AVA - Unique Winegrowing Region in Oregon's South Central Foothills
The Umpqua Valley has 3000 planted acres, with pinot noir the most planted variety. Lying within the Umpqua Valley is the Elkton Oregon AVA (American viticultural area).
It was officially designated in 2013 as a means to differentiate this area from the much warmer microclimates characteristic of most of southern Oregon.
Elkton lies just 36 miles inland from the Pacific. There is a very long frost free growing season, with cool temperate conditions lasting until late fall. The average July and August high temperatures are only 83F. This all results in grapes that can hang on the vine longer, developing truly complex flavors.
Bradley Vineyards
Bradley Vineyards is a 2nd generation vineyard and winery, owned and operated by the Bradley family.
With over 20 acres of Pinot Noir, Riesling, Gewurztraminer and Baco Noir grapes mostly planted in 1983, Bradley is the largest grape producer in the Elkton Oregon AVA.
They sell most of their fruit to other winemakers and keep the finest estate grown grapes for their boutique label.
Bradley Vineyards was founded in 1983 by brothers John and Richard Bradley.
With the helping hands of family and friends, over 20 acres of Pinot Noir, Gewurtztraminer and Riesling grapes were planted in the South and West facing hills of Elkton, Oregon.
For the first 17 years, John developed as a viticulturist, and sold the entirety of his crop to wineries around the state of Oregon.
But when friends Mike and Vonnie Landt moved to town and built their winery, River’s Edge, a partnership began allowing John to start producing a small amount of wine under the Bradley Vineyards label.
Triple Oak Wine Vineyards
Triple Oak Wine Vineyard
Presenting her wine along with the Meadow family was Betty Tamm, owner of Triple Oak Wine Vault.
Betty and her late husband Paul planted the vineyard in 2000. After his passing in 2013, Betty continued the winery situated in the historic community of Oakland.
She showcases her wines in a tasting room in Oakland’s small town.Triple Oak has won awards for Tempranillo and other Spanish varieties. Pinot Gris and Gerwurztraminer also feature on the list.
Today Betty Tamm works with her new husband Geoffrey Faraghan.
