There are currently 6 AVA's in Oregon, with many more seeking approval. Willamette Valley, for example, has several sub-regions that could be classified as AVA's. The interesting paradox in Willamette though, is that many winemakers do not want to give up the Willamette Valley AVA on their bottles, because they fear they would lose the prestige Willamette has come to represent. Columbia Valley and Walla Walla are two of the Oregon AVA's, but they mostly lie within Washington state, and while there grapes grown there, there are no actual Oregon wineries in the AVA's.

Willamette Valley

Willamette is Oregon's primary wine producing area. It runs North to South and lies about 50 miles east of the Pacific, which gives the area a maritime climate. Most of the vineyards are planted on the sides of the hills on the western side of the Valley. Willamettte Valley features Red Jory Clay and Willakenzie Alluvial Soil. The 4 sub-regions of the valley, all of which could be considered as a sub-AVA, are the Red Hills of Dundee, Eola Hills, South Salem Hills, and the area just to the west of Eugene.

Umpqua Valley

Umpqua Valley is just south of Willamette. The Valley has many hillsides that offer drainage from the rivers in the area. It is drier and warmer than Willamette, and allows many different grapes to be grown, including Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Riesling.

Rogue Valley

The Rogue Valley is the longest standing wine area in Oregon. It has two distinct climactic areas. In the western area, the Illinois Valley, the Pacific Ocean's proximity exerts a great deal of cooling influence, and Pinot Noir is most common. South of the Valley, the Rogue River sub-region is more sheltered from the Ocean, and the warmer drier climate is better for Bourdeaux style varietals, as well as Chardonnay.

Applegate Valley

Applegate Valley is Oregon's newest AVA. It separates the Rogue Valley into North and South. It has deep soils that drain very well, and has warm days and cool nights. The best wines from this area are intense full-bodied reds including Merlot, Syrah, Zinfandel, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Oregon is located at the exact same latitude as Burgundy in France, the other predominantly Pinot Noir area in the world. During the summer, the breezes from the Pacific combined with the northerly location result in warm summer days and cool autumns. The growing season here is relatively long, which gives the grapes a chance to gradually ripen. It typically rains in late fall and winter in Oregon, after the grapes have already been harvested. In the Willamette Valley, it rains much less in Oregon during growing season than it does in Burgundy. Almost all of Oregon's wine producing areas are protected from the effects of the Pacific Ocean by the Cascade Mountains and the Coastal Range.

Pinot Noir is the dominant grape variety in Oregon. The cool climate during the ripening period is essential for Pinot Noir. Yields are kept low to maintain quality. The best soil types for Pinot Noir in Oregon are Red Jory Clay, Nekia, and a clay loam called Willakenzie Alluvial Soil. The Red Jory has excellent drainage and brings out the cherry fruit flavors sometimes found in Pinot Noir. Nekia needs added drainage and irrigation but Willakenzie soil drains on its own and holds water very well. Both of these soil types produce Pinot Noirs that feature black fruit flavors, and tend to be higher in tannins.

As far as white grapes go, Chardonay is the largest in production. Pinot Gris is on the rise however, and it's quality is often more reliable. Pinot Gris from Oregon shows strong fruit flavors and often an essence of honey.