Washington may be the Evergreen State, but Oregon is simply the ‘green state.’ Sustainable is the operative word, whatever the industry. Its key city, Portland, made the news last year for proving that an environmentally sustainable city can also be a financially sustainable city. Oregon boasts more bike paths, more recycling, more organic activity, more, well, ‘green’ than any other state. Even the traffic lights are environmentally friendly.

One could say that the Oregon wine scene was born out of a rejection of ‘big wine’ production. In the 1960s (and still today), University of California at Davis boasted the largest oenological research institution in the nation. At the time, however, its program was based on how to grow more grapes in varying climates and unpredictable weather, rather than how to elevate winemaking to an artisanal level. A small group of these disgruntled students moved to Oregon to do just that, despite the warning from one professor that Oregon’s damp climate would result in nothing but “athlete’s foot up to the knees.”

These earlier pioneers toiled hard, often holding down second jobs to sustain their winemaking efforts. The focus was always on quality wine modeled after the European greats: the Rhine and Mosel valley of Germany and the Burgundy region of France. Such hard work paid off, and Oregon today boasts a thriving industry and a stellar reputation for Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir and its mascot-grape, Pinot Noir, particularly in the Willamette Valley in the northern part of the state.

As the state continues to explore and further define its rich and varied terroirs, Winebow is pleased to be able to offer selections from family-owned, quality-oriented producers who are leaders in their regions and market categories. Such good quality at equally good values is difficult to surpass!

Click here to see our Oregon Distribution Portfolio .