Lower Long Tom AVA

Lower Long Tom is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) located in Oregon's southern Willamette Valley in Lane and Benton Counties, near the towns of Junction City and Monroe. The district was established on December 10, 2021, by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau.[1] Its coverage is approximately 25,000 acres (10,117 ha) and contains 12 wineries and 24 commercially-producing vineyards that plant approximately 575 acres (233 ha). It lies entirely within the Willamette Valley AVA. The region is primarily known for its Pinot noir and Pinot gris.[3]

Lower Long Tom AVA
Wine region
TypeAmerican Viticultural Area
Year established2021[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, McMinnville AVA, Ribbon Ridge AVA, Tualatin Hills AVA, Van Duzer Corridor AVA, Yamhill-Carlton District AVA
Soil conditionsBellpine[2]
Total area25,000 acres (39 sq mi).[1]
Size of planted vineyards575 acres (233 ha)[2]
No. of vineyards24[3]
Varietals producedPinot noir, Pinot gris, sauvignon blanc, riesling, chardonnay[3][4]
No. of wineries12[3]

Terroir

The AVA is located in the southwestern Willamette Valley, among Oregon's coastal foothills. The Long Tom River flows along the eastern boundary of the area.[5] The area is also warmer than surrounding regions, protected from cool marine air by a particularly high section of the Central Oregon Coast Range.[1]

The distinguishing feature of the Lower Long Tom AVA is the predominance of nutrient-poor, fast-draining Bellpine soil in the area, which forces vines to push deep in pursuit of food and water. The harder-working vines are believed to produce lighter leaf canopies and smaller grapes with more concentrated flavors and more powerful tannins.[3]

Wine industry

As of 2022, the Lower Long Tom is the only nested appellation located in the southern Willamette Valley AVA, in contrast to nine nested appellations in the north.[6] The approval of the AVA enhanced the southern Willamette Valley's legitimacy as an Oregon wine region.[6] The petition to form the Lower Long Tom AVA was initially filed with the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau by Dieter Boehm of High Pass Winery in 2017.[3]

Wineries
  • Antiquum Farm[4]
  • Bennett Wine Company[5]
  • Benton-Lane Winery[4]
  • Brigadoon Wine Co.[4]
  • Five Fourteen Vineyards[4]
  • Gelardi Vineyard/Poco Collina[3]
  • High Pass Winery[3]
  • Pfeiffer Winery[7]
  • Walnut Ridge Vineyards[4]

References
  1. "T.D. TTB-175: Establishment of the Lower Long Tom Viticultural Area". Code of Federal Regulations. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau. November 9, 2021. Archived from the original on December 22, 2022. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
  2. "Lower Long Tom AVA". A Great Oregon Wine Tour. November 4, 2022. Archived from the original on December 22, 2022. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
  3. Alberty, Michael (December 18, 2021). "Lower Long Tom: Oregon's newest wine region wins the name game". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on December 22, 2022. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
  4. "Lower Long Tom". Archived from the original on December 22, 2022. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
  5. Nickles, Jane (November 11, 2021). "One more for Oregon: Introducing the Lower Long Tom AVA". Archived from the original on December 22, 2022. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
  6. Archer, LM (December 12, 2021). "Southern Willamette Valley Earns its First AVA". Wine Business. Archived from the original on December 22, 2022. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
  7. "Meet Oregon's Lower Long Tom AVA". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on December 22, 2022. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
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