The Dundee Hills AVA boasts a captivating history intertwined with Oregon’s wine-making journey. Nestled in the Willamette Valley, it’s a short 25-mile drive south-west of Portland. The first forays into wine production here began in the mid-1960s, led by visionaries who believed in the superior terroir of Oregon for cultivating Pinot Noir, over its Californian counterpart. This belief was affirmed in 1979 when a Pinot Noir from this region triumphed over renowned Burgundian wines at the Gault-Millau French Wine Olympiads.
Location-wise, the Dundee Hills are snugly placed between Salem and Portland in the north-western part of the Willamette Valley. Framed by the Ribbon Ridge and Chehalem Mountains in the north and bordered by the Yamhill-Carlton District AVA in the west, the Willamette River gently snakes past Dundee, a quaint town on the hills’ eastern periphery.
One of the most distinguishing features of the Dundee Hills is its unique soil profile. The hills, birthed from lava flows and geological shifts, managed to elude the Missoula floods that showered silt across the lower Willamette Valley. Hence, the hallmark of this region is its Jory soil—a rich, deep, and iron-heavy volcanic soil that offers optimal drainage. Such soil conditions nudge the vines to stretch their roots deeper in search of water, which, in turn, fosters the production of highly concentrated berries.
Climate-wise, Dundee Hills enjoys protection from the brunt of Pacific Ocean’s rain and wind, courtesy of its slightly inland position and the Chehalem Mountains acting as a shield. However, the region isn’t completely isolated from the ocean’s embrace. Occasional sea breezes drift in, providing a cooling effect, especially after sun-drenched days. Elevated vineyard plantations ensure warmer nights and diminished frost threats.
Dundee Hills primarily revels in its exquisite Pinot Noir wines—deeply flavored, rich, and layered with red fruits, spices, intriguing minerality, and soft tannins. Yet, it doesn’t stop there. The region also takes pride in its delightful Pinot Gris and Chardonnay, adding to its prestigious wine repertoire.
