Oregon, land of winemakers
Located in the northwest of the United States, on the shores of the Pacific Ocean, Oregon’s picturesque landscapes have earned it a place among wine lovers the world over. With some 14,000 hectares of vineyards, spread over several regions with different climates – Willamette Valley, Columbia Gorge and Rogue Valley – Oregon’s vineyards offer a diversity of grape varieties, depending on the soil, exposure…
Landscapes and grape varieties
The region’s varied landscapes, from the rolling hills of the Dundee Hills to the warmer slopes of Southern Oregon, provide an ideal terroir for growing a wide range of grape varieties. The region is one of the most promising in the United States, with a reputation for producing excellent wines. There are no fewer than 16 appellations, and a dozen grape varieties, including the most widespread (62%) pinot noir, which, after having made the reputation of the red wines of Burgundy, is now forging that of Oregon wines. Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Gamay Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon are also found here… This rich mosaic of grape varieties gives Oregon wines a complexity and character that are highly prized by wine lovers. With a production of some 3.5 million cases by 2022 (55% of which will be exported), Oregon is now the third largest wine-producing region in the United States, behind California and Washington.
And now bubbles….
While the production of sparkling wines remains complex and expensive, some Oregon winemakers have successfully taken the plunge. The cool climate and diversity of terroirs create an ideal environment for the production of sparkling wines that rival champagne. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are the main grape varieties used.
A wine world in harmony with nature
Oregon’s winegrowing landscape is characterized by the particular attention paid by winegrowers to the work of the vines and the soil. More and more are opting for sustainable, environmentally-friendly practices, with an emphasis on organic and even biodynamic viticulture. More than half of Oregon’s vineyards are “certified sustainably farmed”.
The importance of the barrel!
Tonnellerie Saury makes a large number of barrels for winemakers in Oregon. Every year, some 150 barrels are sent to this region across the Atlantic. Patience is the essence of winemaking, and in Oregon, winemakers let time do its work. On average, the region’s wines are aged in barrels for 12 to 18 months, using the finest French oak, such as that produced by Tonnellerie Saury, to enhance their complexity and depth. The combination of wood, toasting and slow, controlled micro-oxygenation throughout the ageing period ensures that the wines acquire all the aromatic potential so characteristic of the region’s wines.
Jelena Rumora – Oregon Sales Manager for Tonnellerie Saury.
Originally from Croatia, Jelena is deeply rooted in the winemaking traditions of her family’s vineyards, where she cultivated her love of the craft from an early age. After moving across the Atlantic to Napa, the largest wine-growing region in the United States, located in California, she put her skills to work at the famous Rutherford Ranch winery. With a background that blends old-world charm and new-world expertise, Jelena has joined the Saury Cooperage team in the United States in 2019. Jelena brings to Saury USA a wealth of winemaking experience coupled with a passion for the Oregon wine world that creates high quality, world-renowned wines.
