Category Archives: maps

Southern Oregon AVA

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While over time the focus has been on smaller and smaller wine regions, in 2004 the TTB went completely the other way, creating a super-AVA in the form of the Southern Oregon AVA. This region consists of the Umpqua, Rogue and Applegate Valleys and Red Hill Douglas County, Oregon AVAs as well as additional territory linking the regions together. The idea for the super-sized AVA was that of H. Earl Jones of Abacela and his son, associate professor of geography, Gregory V. Jones of Southern Oregon University. (editor’s note: See? I am not the only person with a degree in geography!) They evidence cited to justify the designation includes historical, cultural, climatic, geologic and geographical justifications for the creation of the viticultural area.

Historically, the region has been a wine producing area since the 1850s with modern viticulture restarting in the 1950s. From a cultural perspective, they cite the “physical and cultural” divisions of the state of which Southern Oregon is an example. The region is located south of Eugene to the California border largely within the Umpqua, Rogue, Applegate, Illinois and Bear Creek Valleys. The petition indicates that the soils in the area, while varied are older than those in the Willamette to the north or the coastal zones to the west and contain fewer silts from ancient oceans and lakes. The temperatures in the area are on average the warmest in the state which allows for the cultivation of warmer climate grapes as well as allowing for select microclimates that are perfect for colder acclimated varietals. Additionally, the elevations in the region are higher than the surrounds areas and it receives less rainfall.

The appellations is home to over fifty (50) wineries and produces wines from varietals including:

  • Albarino
  • Bastardo
  • Cabernet Franc
  • Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Chardonnay
  • Dolcetto
  • Gewurztraminer
  • Grenache
  • Malbec
  • Merlot
  • Muscat Canelli
  • Petit Verdot
  • Petite Sirah
  • Pinot Blanc
  • Pinot gris
  • Pinot Noir
  • Riesling
  • Sangiovese
  • Sauvignon Blanc
  • Semillon
  • Syrah
  • Tempranillo
  • Viognier
  • Zinfandel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gretchen Neuman
VinoVerve Editor

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Chehalem Mountains

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Next up alphabetically speaking are the Chehalem Mountains.  This appellation snakes around the town of Newburg and the Willamette (dammit) River in northwestern Oregon just southwest of Portland.  The area has grown from a few vineyards in the late 1960s to 100 vineyards and 31 wineries currently.  The mountains are the highest in the valley and contain soils of basalt, eolian silt and ocean sediments.  Along with being the highest land within the Valley, the weather is the most varied allowing for multiple micro-climates at elevations that range from 200- 1,633 feet.  Grapes produced in the region include Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir and Riesling.

 

Gretchen Neuman
VinoVerve Editor

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Calistoga Map

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Gretchen Neuman
VinoVerve Editor

As I mentioned a while ago, the Calistoga AVA was finally approved after years of negotiations. When the final description was published in the Federal Register and I got right to the mapping of the area (ok, I took some time getting to it).

But here it is! The AVA is located between St. Helena to the southeast and Kellogg on the northwest and is centered around the town of Calistoga.

Calistoga AVA

As always, these maps are done to the best of my puny abilities as a geography nerd and should not be used for land speculation or navigation purposes.

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Central Delaware Valley AVA

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Gretchen Neuman
VinoVerve, Editor

Welcome to another edition of the Stephen T. Colbert Memorial Better Know an AVA! Stephen wants all Americans to know the rich heritage of our Congressional districts and get to meet the people who occupy those seats. VinoVerve believes that you should get an opportunity to see where your local wine is being produced. So, as an homage to Stephen (who inspired me and who I would love to have a picture of holding a flag and a glass of wine (hint, hint…)) I give you a description of the fighting Central Delaware Valley AVA.

This viticulture area was designated in 1984 and further amended in 1987 and consists of 96,000 acres on both the Pennsylvania and New Jersey side of the Delaware River north of Philadelphia. The AVA at least as far as I can tell takes on the outline of a dragon. Why? I do not know. I just know that I tried to follow the descriptions listed in CFR as closely as possible and I have never gotten the image of an mythical creature before. So, I am going to chalk it up to dumb luck and hope I haven’t made a grave error. Ironically, I don’t think that you will find a lot of other sources for a map of this AVA so I am sincerely sorry for any weirdness that I may have created. I am a map nerd, but I am far from perfect.

Oh, and I am reasonably certain that you will NOT encounter any dragons while exploring this region. Marguerite has been out scouting the area already and she has not yet reported the smell of sulfur or scorched earth, so I think we are safe.

Central Delaware Valley AVA

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Plantation Wineries – That is Rhode Island and Providence Planations

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Gretchen Neuman
VinoVerve Editor

Now that Marguerite is getting ready to check out the rest of the New England, I thought that she should have some maps to go with them….

This is obviously Rhode Island.  The smallest state with the largest name….

Rhode Island Wineries

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A Map For Marguerite

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South Eastern New England AVA

South Eastern New England AVA

It seemed wrong that Marguerite was heading out on a new adventure in a new AVA without a map. So, I got my geek on and made one for her. Obviously this is not to scale…so please don’t use it for navigation purposes.

Merci and enjoy.

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A Resolution That I Can Stick To!

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Gretchen Neuman
VinoVerve Editor

I know that at this time of year most people are talking about making resolutions about drinking less…

Well, that is just crazy.

My resolution is to drink more local wine.

and to visit the wineries too.

Aunt Maggie shouldn’t get to have all the fun!

My first plan?

Make a map. Why? Because I can and because I need to justify a geography degree that made me learn how to make maps by hand.

Indulge me…

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