A fun ride through a complex AVA
If a new AVA launches during a pandemic, and no one is there to taste, did it really happen? Such was the fate of the Laurelwood District, a nested AVA of Chehalem Mountains, awarded AVA (American Viticultural Area) status in June 2020. Due to COVID-19 regulations, opportunities to pour were limited.
On a mission to educate myself and palate on this new appellation, I attended Magic in the Mountains, a tasting celebration presented by the Chehalem Mountains Winegrowers in partnership with The Allison Inn & Spa. The first major tasting experience for the area since safety restrictions loosened, the June event hosted 24 wineries (see end of story) eager to showcase the quality and diversity of the greater Chehalem Mountains.
Chehalem Mountains is known for its diversity of soil, range of elevation — from 200 to 1,000 feet — and varying topography. From Parrett Mountain on the southern edge, running northwest across Bald Peak and Ribbon Ridge, this area was formed by uplifted sedimentary seabeds, lava flows and wind-blown silt to create the highest elevations and most diverse soils in the region. So, it’s no surprise a region with such variation would produce a nested AVA in Laurelwood District.
Laurelwood’s most prominent defining feature remains its namesake soil. Loess (windblown freshwater silt) accumulated over the past 200,000 years makes up the top layer at depths of up to four feet, depending on elevation. Dig a little deeper —...
Read Full Story: https://www.oregonwinepress.com/magic-mountain
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