Oregon is the third largest wine producing state in the US. There are 16 AVAs in Oregon with 450 wineries and 850 vineyards. Oregon and Idaho share an AVA in the Snake River Valley. Oregon and Washington share two AVAs; the Walla Walla Valley and the Columbia Valley. The wine industry contributes $2.7 billion to the state’s economy and Wine Tourism contributed $158 million to Oregon’s economy in 2012.

Winemaker Tony Rynders, former winemaker of Domaine Serene, samples pinot noir during the 2008 Willamette Valley harvest. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The first AVA’s in Oregon were: Columbia ...