Get to Know the Willamette Valley AVAs: Laurelwood District
If you haven’t heard of the Laurelwood District American Viticultural Area (AVA), that’s likely because it's one of Oregon's youngest AVAs, just approved in June 2020. While the name is new, there is a wealth of winemaking history in the area just waiting to be discovered. Today we continue our series exploring the 11 nested AVAs within the Willamette Valley AVA by introducing you to the Laurelwood District.
Laurelwood District AVA
Nested within the larger Chehalem Mountains AVA, the Laurelwood District AVA earned its own distinction thanks to the presence of rich Laurelwood soil found on the north- and east-facing slopes of the Chehalem Mountains. This unique soil comprises a 15-million-year-old basalt base with a windblown freshwater silt top layer, known as loess, that accumulated over 200,000 years. Both fertile and well-draining, the loess soil allows grapevines to thrive because the region’s self-regulating temperature during the summer encourages deep root growth.
Consisting of more than 25 wineries and 70 vineyards, the Laurelwood District covers 33,000 acres of some of the highest elevation in the Willamette Valley, at 1,633 feet. The area’s soil composition results in distinct terroirs, with the most common grapes grown including Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, and Chardonnay.
Featured Laurelwood District Wineries
Popular For: Luxe Sustainability
REX HILL | Newberg, Oregon
REX HILL has been making Pinot Noir for over 40 years, and after selling to A to Z Wineworks in 2007, they were able to reduce their case production and focus on quality and Biodynamic principles. Now a luxury boutique brand focused on sustainability, they hand-select clusters and craft wines with the utmost attention to detail. Taste the difference for yourself at their airy and modern tasting room in Newberg, Oregon.
Popular For: Scenic Tastings
Six Peaks Winery | Hillsboro, Oregon
Owned and operated by the Albin family, Six Peaks Wine was planted in 1981 and named for the panoramic view of the five cascade mountains from their vineyard atop Bald Peak Mountain: Rainier, St. Helens, Adams, Hood, and Jefferson. Enjoy the mountainous surroundings with wine flights and bites at one of their appointment-only tastings.
Popular For: Brut Rosé
Raptor Ridge Winery | Newberg, Oregon
Located fifteen minutes from downtown Newberg and thirty minutes outside of Portland, Raptor Ridge Winery is a LIVE-certified winery planted back in 1995. Originally hosting tastings at their kitchen counter, the Shull family now has a beautiful tasting room at their estate site, the Tuscowallame vineyard, with views of the Cascade Mountains where you can sample pours of their Pinot Noir, Grüner Veltliner, and Sparkling Brut Rosé.
Popular For: Historic Winery
Ponzi Vineyards | Sherwood, Oregon
One of the first founding wineries in the Willamette Valley, Ponzi Vineyards was established in 1970 and helped to put the region on the map. Sample Oregon winemaking history with their classic pours of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grown in the Laurelwood District AVA at their expansive tasting room featuring fireside seating, a covered terrace, and bocce ball courts.
Book Your Stay in the Willamette Valley
Conveniently located near the Laurelwood District AVA, Tributary Hotel is nestled in the heart of historic McMinnville, Oregon and offers a boutique hotel experience with world-class hospitality and luxury suites. Tributary is your ideal base for exploring Oregon Wine Country.
Book now to reserve your stay.