Tualatin Hills
Wine region
TypeAmerican Viticultural Area
Year established2020[1]
CountryUnited States
Part ofOregon, Willamette Valley AVA
Other regions in Oregon, Willamette Valley AVAChehalem Mountains AVA, Dundee Hills AVA, Eola-Amity Hills AVA, Laurelwood District AVA, Lower Long Tom AVA, McMinnville AVA, Ribbon Ridge AVA, Van Duzer Corridor AVA, Yamhill-Carlton District AVA
Climate regionContinental
Precipitation (annual average)43.67 inches[2]
Soil conditionsFine glacial loess [2]
Total area33,600 acres (53 sq mi).[3]
Size of planted vineyards975 acres (395 ha)[3]
No. of vineyards70[3]
Varietals producedChardonnay, Pinot Noir[2]
No. of wineries25[3]

Tualatin Hills is a American Viticultural Area (AVA) located due west of Portland and just east from the Oregon Coast Range in the upland hills of the Tualatin River watershed and encompasses elevations between 200 and 1,000 feet (61 and 305 m). It was established on May 13, 2020 by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB). It lies entirely within the northernmost location of the Willamette Valley AVA in and around towns like Gaston, Forest Grove, Sherwood and Cornelius. To the south and southeast are the Chehalem Mountains with elevations of over 1,000 feet (300 m) and considered to be a separate, distinct landform from the uplands within Tualatin Hills. The region stretches over approximately 144,000 acres (225 sq mi) and contains 21 wineries with 33 commercially-producing vineyards that covers approximately 860.5 acres (348 ha). The distinguishing features of Tualatin Hills are its soils, elevation, and climate.[2][4]

Terroir

The Willamette Valley is full of microclimates, varying aspects and more that have a profound impact on the wines grown there. Tualatin Hills is partially adjacent at its southern end to Laurelwood District AVA which was established with Tualatin Hills. The two AVAs are both noted for the Laurelwood soils consisting of exceptionally fine loess deposited over ancient basalt. The silt-sized sediment was formed by the accumulation of wind-blown dust produced by the grinding down of basaltic and other volcanic rocks by glaciers during the last Ice Age. However, Tualatin Hills also contains Kinton and Cornelius soils mixed with the Laurelwood soil while its adjacent AVA is primarily a concentration of its namesake soil.[2][4]

Wine Industry

The area lies in the heart of Oregon's Pinot Noir producing zone. It is home to some of the oldest vineyards in Oregon, including David Hill, Ponzi and Cooper Mountain. The AVA petition filed at the TTB in 2015 was led by Alfredo Apolloni of Apolloni Vineyards, Rudy Marchesi of Montinore Estate and Mike Kuenz of David Hill Vineyard and Winery.[4]

References

  1. ↑ "§9.268 Tualatin Hills" (Title 27: Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; Part 9 — American Viticultural Areas; Subpart C — Approved American Viticultural Areas). Code of Federal Regulations. May 3, 2020. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Micallef, Joseph V (June 10, 2020). "Tualatin Hills And The Laurelwood District Are Oregon's Newest American Viticultural Areas". Forbes. Archived from the original on May 15, 2021.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Establishment of the Tualatin Hills and Laurelwood District Viticultural Areas" (27 CFR 9 [Docket No. TTB–2019–0003; T.D. TTB–160; Ref: Notice No. 181] RIN 1513–AC52 Final Rule). Federal Register. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), Treasury. 85 (107): 34095–34100. June 3, 2020.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  4. 1 2 3 Stock, Mark (June 10, 2020). "New Northern AVAs". Oregon Wine Press. Archived from the original on September 29, 2020.

45°32′51″N 123°09′27″W / 45.5476°N 123.1574°W / 45.5476; -123.1574


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