Oregon Wine Country Stories

Book excerpt: Just fifty years ago, Oregon had no wine industry of consequence. Today, the state teems with a wine culture that matches the fecundity of its land and the vital spirit of its people. The pioneers who dared that tradition into being, from astrophysicists to cherry farmers to harpsichord makers, stand poised to pass on their legacy to an eager new generation. The bold experimentation of urban wineries now joins the steady contributions of outstanding producers like Bethel Heights, Cerulean Skies, Eyrie and Honeywood. Kenneth Friedenreich, a noted Oregon wine writer and an equally ardent Oregon wine devotee, seizes this moment of transition to probe the state's fascinating oenological frontiers and evaluate the repercussions of the industry's dramatic success. Based on dozens of interviews and even more glasses of wine, this drinking companion volume traverses the full range of Oregon's viticultural areas, providing useful AVA maps, historical photos and extensive winery listings.