The Willamette Valley

“Go west, young man, and grow up with the country.” Horace Greeley’s famous declaration sent droves of intrepid pioneers on a trail to a better life. Their destination? Oregon, and the banks of the Willamette River. Long known as some of the most fertile land in America, the Willamette’s surrounding valley is an icon of agriculture and viticulture. But it took some steady formation. About 35 million years ago, volcanism and erosion burst forth the Willamette Valley, which was then altered by the Missoula Floods of the most recent ice age. Its location, proximity to the mountains in central Oregon and Columbia River up north, and centuries of industrializing inhabitants from indegenous tribes to early pioneers, were pure kismet. The majestic Willamette put Portland on the map as well as the entire valley, truly growing with the country. Fifty years ago, people would have said you were crazy to try to harvest wine grapes out here. A hundred fifty years ago, they would have said you were crazy to just make the trip. But anything that takes a little hard work is worth it.