98 { THE SOMM JOURNAL } OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017
The SOMM Journal recently explored the various regions of the Umpqua Valley
with 16 sommeliers and wine buyers from the West Coast and Colorado. Led by truly hos-
pitable hosts, the tours of three key wineries—Brandborg Vineyard & Winery to the north,
Reustle-Prayer Rock Vineyards in the center and Abacela to the south—introduced us to the
exciting wines and grape varieties being grown in the area while giving us a glimpse of its
newest developments.
The north end of the Umpqua Valley lies approximately 150 miles south of Portland,
Oregon. The large region comprises three distinct climates (and many more microclimates):
The Elkton Oregon AVA in the north offers a cooler climate due to its proximity to the
acific cean central pua is slihtly ore inland, resultin in a ore teperate cliate
and the southern stretches of the alley boast warer weather with less coastal inuence.
Undiscovered
THE UMPQUA
VALLEY IS A HUB OF
EXPLORATION AND
DEVELOPMENT
Umpqua
by Allyson Gorsuch
principal photography by
Angela Chenoweth
CAMP
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