Dundee Hills AVA

Dundee Hills
Wine region
Domaine Drouhin vineyard in the Dundee Hills
TypeAmerican Viticultural Area
Year established2004[1]
Years of wine industry60[1]
CountryUnited States
Part ofOregon, Willamette Valley AVA
Other regions in Oregon, Willamette Valley AVAChehalem Mountains AVA, Eola-Amity Hills AVA, Laurelwood District AVA, Lower Long Tom AVA, McMinnville AVA, Ribbon Ridge AVA, Tualatin Hills AVA, Van Duzer Corridor AVA, Yamhill-Carlton District AVA
Climate regionMaritime
Precipitation (annual average)30 to 45 in (760–1,140 mm)[1]
Soil conditionsJory series reddish silt, clay and loam soils[1]
Total area6,490 acres (2,626 ha)[2]
Size of planted vineyards1,300 acres (526 ha)[2]
Grapes producedChardonnay, Melon, Müller-Thurgau, Pinot blanc, Pinot gris, Pinot noir, Riesling[3]
No. of wineries25[2]

Dundee Hills is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) located in Yamhill County, Oregon within the Willamette Valley AVA, and is located approximately 28 miles (45 km) southwest of Portland, Oregon, and 40 miles (64 km) inland from the Pacific Ocean near the town of Newberg. Over 25 wineries and independent vineyards in this region produce over 44,000 cases of wine.[2]

Dundee Hills has been a grape growing region since 1966, when David Lett established Eyrie Vineyards, planting Pinot noir and Pinot Gris.[4]

Appellation

Dundee Hills was established as the nation's 172nd, the state's ninth and the county's second appellation[5] on November 30, 2004, by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), Treasury after reviewing a petition submitted by Alex Sokol Blosser, secretary of the North Willamette Valley AVA Group, proposing a viticultural area in Yamhill County named "Red Hills."[6]

The petitioner subsequently amended the area's name to "Dundee Hills."[1] At the outset, the 6,940-acre (2,809 ha) area cultivated 1,300 acres (530 ha) under vine.

Soil and viticulture

Dundee Hills are a north–south oriented range of hills on the western side of the Willamette River valley. The soil is Jory series reddish silt, clay and loam, moderately fertile and well-drained suitable for grape cultivation. The region gets 30 to 45 inches (760–1,140 mm) of rainfall per year. The Chehalem Mountains to the north protect the region from the cool breezes that enter Willamette Valley from the Columbia Gorge.[1][3] The plant hardiness zone ranges from 8b to 9a.[7]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f "Establishment of the Dundee Hills Viticultural Area (2002R–218P)" (27 CFR Part 9 [TTB T.D.–18; Re: Notice No. 14] RIN: 1513–AA50 Final Rule). Federal Register. 69 (229). Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), Treasury: 69524–69527. November 30, 2004. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 23, 2021. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  2. ^ a b c d "Dundee Hills Winegrowers Association Brings Further Recognition to Oregon 's Premier Wine Region". Dundee Hills Winegrowers Association. undee Hills Winegrowers Association. 2006. Archived from the original on January 19, 2008. Retrieved January 29, 2008.
  3. ^ a b "Dundee Hills (AVA): Appellation Profile". Appellation America. 2007. Archived from the original on July 19, 2008. Retrieved January 29, 2008.
  4. ^ Robinson, Jancis (October 11, 2008). "Papa Pinot passes on". JancisRobinson.com. JancisRobinson.com Limited. Archived from the original on April 14, 2024.
  5. ^ "List of AVAs by Establishment Date". TTB.gov. 2024. Archived from the original on February 5, 2025. Retrieved October 20, 2025.
  6. ^ Blosser, Alex Sokol (March 15, 2002). "Red Hills AVA Proposal". TTB.gov. North Willamette Valley AVA Group. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  7. ^ "Dundee Hills - American Viticultural Area (AVA)". Plantmaps.com. United States Department of Agriculture. 2012. Retrieved November 18, 2025.

45°16′49″N 123°03′48″W / 45.28036005°N 123.06340018°W / 45.28036005; -123.06340018