Wineries located throughout Lane and Benton counties have received federal recognition as an American Viticultural Area (AVA). The Lower Long Tom AVA was officially announced on December 10, 2021.
The Lower Long Tom is characterized by a chain of rolling hills separated by east-to-west valleys, cut by the distributaries of the region’s namesake, the Long Tom River. Long Tom River is a tributary of the Willamette River, and its watershed marks the eastern edge of the new AVA, according to a press release issued by the Oregon Wine Board.
This new AVA is the tenth AVA within the Willamette Valley, but the first within the Southern Willamette Valley consisting of 12 wineries and 14 vineyards making up 25,000 acres in portions of Lane and Benton Counties.
“We are thrilled that this special place in the Southern Willamette Valley has been recognized for its uniqueness, which is something Benton-Lane has known since its inception in 1988,” said Gretchen Boock, General Manager for Benton-Lane Winery. ”The Willamette Valley is an incredible, vast growing region, and for these sub-pockets to continue to be recognized helps tell the story of this great valley and its many sub-communities that are truly one of a kind.”
The new AVA was granted approval by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) on November 10 of 2021.
“We believe this will fuel a new curiosity amongst those looking for discovery and adventure and hope to host them soon at the winery,” said Boock.
The wineries of this new AVA include Antiquum Farm, Bennett Vineyards and Wine Company, Bradshaw Vineyard, Brigadoon Wine Co., Benton-Lane Winery, Five Fourteen Vineyard, High Pass Winery, Pfeiffer Vineyards and Winery, Poco Collina, Rainsong Winery, Territorial Vineyards and Wine Company, and Walnut Ridge Vineyard.
By: Jennifer Williams
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