Nestled in the verdant hills of Oregon Wine Country, the Willamette Valley American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) stand as a testament to the region’s reputation as a premier destination for Pinot Noir enthusiasts and wine connoisseurs alike. With its diverse terroir, cool climate, and passionate winemaking community, the Willamette Valley boasts a tapestry of AVAs, each contributing its own unique character and flavor profile to the region’s acclaimed Pinot Noir wines.
The McMinnville American Viticultural Area covers an area of nearly 40,500 acres and is located directly west of the city of McMinnville, which is the county seat of Yamhill County. It was established in 2005 and stretches about 20 miles south-southwest towards the mouth of the Van Duzer Corridor – the lowest coast range pass in Oregon that leads to the Pacific Ocean. Younberg Hill Winery and Bailey Family Wines call this AVA home in Oregon Wine Country.
Founded by Nicolette and Wayne Bailey in 2003, for more than 20 years these vineyards have been producing some beautiful, biodynamic, and sustainably farmed wines. Wayne’s winemaking experience traces back to his early days of growing up on a farm in Iowa, and then an opportunity to work with wine producers in Burgundy sparked his love of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The best way to experience these amazing wines is at our tasting room, made even better with an overnight stay at our McMinnville bed and breakfast. Read on to find out more about the Oregon Wine Country AVAs and book your next getaway today!
Oregon Wine Country: Wine Regions in the Willamette Valley
At the forefront of the Willamette Valley’s wine landscape are its unique AVAs, each characterized by its own microclimate, soil composition, and topography, which impart distinctive flavors and complexities to the wines produced within their boundaries.
Here’s a list of Oregon Wine Country’s Willamette Valley AVAs:
- McMinnville AVA: Established in 2005, this area covers 39,045 acres, and the soils are shallow and composed primarily of uplifted marine sedimentary loams and silts.
- Dundee Hills AVA: Established in 2004, the area covers 12,500 acres; the basaltic landmass runs north-south and overlooks the Willamette River and the Chehalem Valley.
- Willamette Valley AVA: Established in 1983, this AVA is unique as it’s large at 3,438,000 acres but encompasses many of the other smaller, pocket AVAs of Oregon Wine Country.
- Chehalem Mountains AVA: Established in 2006, located on an uplifted landmass at the northern end of the Valley, this AVA covers 62,500 acres with soils of basaltic, ocean sedimentary, and loess.
- Ribbon Ridge AVA: Established in 2005, this AVA sits in the middle of the Chehalem Mountain AVA and is distinguished by uniform, unique ocean sedimentary soils.
- Eola-Amity Hills AVA: Established in 2006, this area covers 39,045 acres and is known for volcanic basalt soils from ancient lava flows combined with marine sedimentary rocks.
- Yamhill-Carlton AVA: Established in 2005, this 59,000 acres sits in the foothills of the Coastal Range and is home to some of the oldest soils.
- Van Duzer Corridor AVA: Established in 2018, it includes 59,850 acres located in a corridor that funnels ocean breezes that cool the vineyards.
- Tualatin Hills AVA: Established in 2020, it has the largest concentration of Laurelwood soil, a windblown volcanic soil mixed with basalt.
- Laurelwood District AVA: Established in 2020, it covers 33,000 acres and includes the highest elevation in the Willamette Valley, at 1,633 feet.
- Lower Long Tom AVA: Established in 2021, this 25,000-acre AVA sits between Eugene and Corvallis in Oregon Wine Country.
- Mt. Pisgah, Polk County AVA: Established in 2022, this is the newest AVA in Oregon Wine Country, known for being one of the most densely planted areas.
Wine Tasting at our McMinnville Bed and Breakfast
While our tasting room at Youngberg Hill Winery is always open to the public for walk-ins and reservations for seated tastings, there’s no better way to experience Oregon Wine Country than with an overnight retreat, weekend getaway, or extended trip to the Willamette Valley. Our hilltop McMinnville bed and breakfast is luxurious—offering nine romantic suites with some of the most epic and sweeping views of the vineyards, valley, and stretching to the surrounding mountains.
Our spacious McMinnville bed and breakfast offers various lodging options with unique layouts and designs, including king suites and luxuriously appointed guest rooms with queen beds. All rooms have private baths and comfortable chairs to relax in, where you can take in spectacular views. Each room has luggage racks, an iron and ironing board, a blow dryer, and spa robes. The entire bed and breakfast is set with complimentary WIFI.
We are pleased to offer complimentary concierge service to guests who stay at our McMinnville bed and breakfast. Our specialty is helping you customize your visit according to your preferences, and there’s so much to explore in Oregon Wine Country. When making your reservation, request our assistance arranging all your activities and reservations in wine country. We are passionate about ensuring that your entire trip to the area is perfect. We can’t wait to host you; book your lodging today!
