Page 120 - SOM_FALL_2020_FLIPBOOK

OUT OF STATE

INROADS

While the Northern region of
the Willamette Valley, outside
of Portland, has long been the
Grand Poohbah of the Oregon
wine industry, other regions are
making steady gains. Many of the
Willamette’s Pinots have been
closely compared to Burgundy
given the similar climatic condi-
tions in which they are produced.
French investors, such as the
Drouhins, the noted Burgundian
family who established their
winery in the Willamette in
1987, have long been drawn to
the region. In addition, because
of global warming and afford-
able land, California investors
and wineries have been buying
land and wineries at a brisk pace.
They have often been accused of
sometimes emulating their home
state’s bigger structure and style
with their new Oregon winery
acquisitions. However, Boskov
sees California investment in
the state’s vineyards in a positive
light. “The Californians who have
purchased vineyards or wineries
in the state are here because they
are interested in making Oregon
Pinot Noir [that is] not a clone of
the Californian style. They have
adapted very well into the local
winemaking communities and
share insights and their research
freely, and they bring a great deal
of infrastructure and investment
to our winemakers.”

Keller, not surprisingly, begs to
differ, noting, “Some of the larger
producers from California are
going with more of a bulk wine
approach, and I am concerned
that this could impact the percep-
tion of Oregon Pinot Noir from a
consumer viewpoint.”

541 899 -1770 www.bellau.com 170 West California St., Jacksonville, OR

118 www.southernoregonmagazine.com | fall 2020 Photo provided by Travel Southern Oregon