Page 71 - Grapevine JanFeb 2022

Around The Vineyard

Image Credit: Bradshaw Vineyard

Oregon Welcomes its 22nd

American Viticultural Area (AVA)

Lower Long Tom Becomes Tenth Nested AVA in the Willamette

Valley and the first AVA in the Southern Willamette Valley
P ortland, Ore. (December 13, 2021) – rated by east-to-west valleys, cut by the tributaries

Lower Long Tom, the newest appellation
of the region’s namesake, the Long Tom River. The
in Oregon and the southernmost in the
River, and its watershed marks the eastern edge of
Willamette Valley, has received federal recognition Long Tom River is a tributary of the Willamette
as an American Viticultural Area (AVA). Drawn to the new AVA.
reflect distinct soil, topography, and climate attri-
butes, Lower Long Tom becomes the 22nd feder- Vineyards in the appellation are located on
ally recognized winegrowing region in Oregon, the stream-cut ridge lines, with Bellpine as the predom-
tenth nested AVA within the Willamette Valley, inate soil type. These shallow, clay-loam soils are
and the first in the Southern Willamette Valley. The formed from up-lifted ancient marine sediments,
new AVA was granted approval by the Alcohol and primarily sandstone. To the west, the region is
Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) on November flanked by a stretch of significant peaks within the
10 and took effect on December 10, 2021. Coast Range, which serve as a weather shield. The
rain shadow contributes to consistent grape matu-
Located in Lane and Benton counties, Lower Long rity in the region.
Tom is characterized by a chain of rolling hills sepa-
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