Umpqua Valley Wine History
The Umpqua Valley’s wine-growing history dates back to the 1880s when German immigrants who had worked for the Beringer Bros. planted the first wine grape vineyard.
Post-Prohibition, Richard Sommer established HillCrest Vineyard near Roseburg in 1961. He was the first to plant and bottle Pinot Noir in Oregon despite being told by his UC Davis cohorts that it was impossible to successfully grow wine grapes in Oregon. During the 1970s, new wineries opened, including Henry Estate Winery and Girardet.
Today the Umpqua Valley appellation continues to evolve and now has over 30 wineries making over 40 varieties into some of America’s most distinctive wines. Everyday more winemakers discover the area, bringing with them a passion for innovation and world-class wine. The Umpqua Valley appellation became official in 1984.
Timeline
The Begining
German immigrants establish vineyards, a winery and a distillery, and produce an estimated 20,000 gallons of wine in the Umpqua Valley.
Anticipation of Prohibition
A sharp decrease in production is felt by the anticipation of Prohibition. Oregon embraces Prohibition in 1914, six years before it was declared nationwide. Farmers producing wine grapes stayed in business as private vineyards and those continuing winemaking did so in private basements and bathrooms.
Grape Growing is Legalized
Oregon legislature legalizes grape growing by establishing the Farmer’s Winery License for production of light wine from privately owned fruit.
Post-Prohibition Winery
Umpqua Valley’s first Post-prohibition winery is established by Adolph Doerner as “Old # 7” on Heydon Road near Roseburg. Ray Doerner, Adolph’s son, continued to operate “Old # 7” until 1965 when he paid the last BATF taxes and closed his business.
Richard Sommer, Winemaking Pioneer
Richard Sommer, a winemaking pioneer in the Umpqua Valley, plants 36 acres of California Vinifera, including Oregon’s first Pinot Noir, despite warnings from his U.C. Davis educators that grapes will not grow in Oregon.
A Hotbed for Winegrowing
The Roseburg area was the hotbed of winegrowing in Oregon and the birthplace of the Oregon Winegrowers Association.
Umpqua Valley AVA is Established
A First in the Pacific NW
The first Tempranillo grape to be planted in the Pacific Northwest, by Abacela in the Umpqua Valley.
Estate Tempranillo
Abacela’s Estate Tempranillo becomes America’s first internationally acclaimed bottling of the varietal.
The First Albariño
Abacela plants the first Albariño vines in the Pacific Northwest and in 2001 produced its first Albariño wine. Abacela is also considered to have pioneered this variety in America.
Larger Vineyards Are Planted
Abacela Winery leads the way in the Umpqua Valley of Oregon. Larger vineyards ranging from 100 – 200 acres are planted in the Umpqua Valley, bringing Umpqua into its large vineyard era. Historically, the Umpqua Valley was a region of small vineyard plots ranging from 5 to 30 acres.
Over 30 Wineries & Counting
New vineyard owners are expanding the Umpqua’s grape list to include other international favorites. These newcomers moved from other states to establish vineyards that specialize in Syrah, Tempranillo, and Grenache.
Our Organization
The Umpqua Valley Winegrowers Association is a non-profit member organization dedicated to promoting the wineries and vineyards located in Douglas County, Oregon, in the southwest part of the state. We work collaboratively to produce experiences and events that demonstrate the quality and diverse variety of wines made in our appellation.