Tualatin Hills AVA

Tualatin Hills holds a foundational place in Oregon wine history, home to the state's first commercial vineyard and some of its oldest continuously operating estates. The petition for AVA status began in 2015, led by Alfredo Apolloni, Rudolf Marchesi, and Mike Kuenz, culminating in official recognition on May 13, 2020. The region sits in the northwesternmost corner of the Willamette Valley, centered around the towns of Gaston, Forest Grove, Sherwood, and Cornelius.

• AVA formally established May 13, 2020
• Petition process initiated in 2015 by three local producers
• David Hill, Ponzi Vineyards, and Cooper Mountain are among Oregon's oldest producing estates located here
• Oregon's first commercial vineyard is located within the AVA boundaries

The AVA encompasses the watershed of the Tualatin River and is characterized by rolling hills without major valley floors, a feature that physically distinguishes it from the broader Willamette Valley. Elevation ranges from 200 to 1,000 feet. The Coast Range provides a rain shadow effect, delivering cooler springs, warmer falls, and lower rainfall than the surrounding Willamette Valley. This creates a slightly warmer and drier microclimate than the adjacent Laurelwood District AVA.

• Watershed-defined boundary follows the Tualatin River system
• Rolling hills topography with no significant valley floor areas
• Coast Range creates a rain shadow, moderating rainfall and extending the growing season
• Located in both Multnomah and Washington Counties, less than one hour from Portland

Tualatin Hills contains the largest concentration of Laurelwood soils found anywhere in Oregon. Laurelwood soil is windblown volcanic loess deposited over ancient basalt during the Missoula Floods approximately 12,000 years ago. The combination of fine loess over basalt delivers excellent drainage while retaining just enough moisture during the dry summer months. Kinton and Cornelius soils also appear throughout the AVA.

• Laurelwood soil is the defining soil type, windblown volcanic loess over ancient basalt
• Laurelwood soils formed from Missoula Floods deposits approximately 12,000 years ago
• Largest concentration of Laurelwood soils in all of Oregon
• Kinton and Cornelius soils also present across the AVA

Pinot Noir is the dominant variety, producing wines with bright red fruits and firm acidity. Pinot Gris delivers citrus and herbal character, while Chardonnay shows mineral complexity well suited to the Laurelwood soils. The AVA also grows Gewürztraminer, Riesling, and Pinot Blanc, reflecting the cool-to-moderate climate that suits aromatic varieties alongside the Burgundian classics. Between 21 and 41 wineries operate across approximately 33 commercially producing vineyards.

• Pinot Noir is the leading variety, known for bright red fruit and firm acidity
• Pinot Gris expresses citrus and herbal notes suited to the cooler spring conditions
• Chardonnay shows mineral complexity attributed to the volcanic Laurelwood soils
• Aromatic varieties including Gewürztraminer, Riesling, and Pinot Blanc also grown