Umpqua Valley AVA: A GPS and GIS Vineyard Mapping and Analysis of Varietal, Climate, Landscape, and Management Characteristics

Transcription

1 Umpqua Valley AVA: A GPS and GIS Vineyard Mapping and Analysis of Varietal, Climate, Landscape, and Management Characteristics N By: Gregory V. Jones, Ph.D. Geography Department Southern Oregon University In Cooperation with: The Umpqua Valley Chapter of the Oregon Winegrowers' Association The Oregon Wine Advisory Board

2 Umpqua Valley AVA: A GPS and GIS Vineyards Mapping and Analysis of Varietal, Climate, Landscape, and Management Characteristics Gregory V. Jones, Ph.D. Geography Department Southern Oregon University December 2003 Funding for this project was provided from a matching grant from the Umpqua Valley Chapter of the Oregon Winegrowers Association and the Oregon Wine Advisory Board

3 TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS... 3 SUMMARY... 4 INTRODUCTION... 7 THE UMPQUA VALLEY... 9 History Topography and Soils Climate DATA AND METHODS RESULTS GPS SURVEY Landscape Characteristics Climate Characteristics VINEYARD SURVEY CONCLUSIONS REFERENCES APPENDIX TABLE OF FIGURES FIGURE 1 THE COLLECTION OF FACTORS THAT ONE ENCOUNTERS IN THE GRAPE GROWING TO WINE PRODUCTION CONTINUUM FIGURE 2 MAP DEPICTING THE LOCATION OF THE UMPQUA VALLEY AVA FIGURE 3 A) LOCATION AND SIZES OF THE VINEYARDS OF THE UMPQUA VALLEY AVA (THE DASHED LINES REPRESENT THE BOUNDARY OF THE THREE SUB-REGIONS AS DESCRIBED IN THE TEXT), B) ELEVATION MAP OF THE UMPQUA VALLEY AVA WITH VINEYARD LOCATIONS FIGURE 4 ANNUAL PRECIPITATION FOR THE UMPQUA VALLEY AVA (OCS, 2002) FIGURE 5 GROWING DEGREE-DAYS FOR THE UMPQUA VALLEY AVA SUMMED FROM APRIL THROUGH OCTOBER USING A 50 F BASE TEMPERATURE (OCS, 2002) FIGURE 6 THE LAST SPRING FROST FOR THE UMPQUA VALLEY AVA AS DEFINED BY THE MEDIAN DATE OF THE OCCURRENCE OF 32 F (OCS, 2002) FIGURE 7 THE FIRST FALL FROST FOR THE UMPQUA VALLEY AVA AS DEFINED BY THE MEDIAN DATE OF THE FIRST OCCURRENCE OF 32 F (OCS, 2002) FIGURE 8 THE LENGTH OF THE FROST-FREE PERIOD FOR THE UMPQUA VALLEY AVA AS DEFINED BY THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE MEDIAN DATES OF THE FIRST FALL AND LAST SPRING FROSTS AT 32 F (OCS, 2002) TABLE OF TABLES TABLE 1 AVERAGE CLIMATE CHARACTERISTICS FOR REPRESENTATIVE STATIONS IN THE UMPQUA VALLEY AVA TABLE 2 MEDIAN FROST DATES FOR REPRESENTATIVE STATIONS IN THE UMPQUA AVA TABLE 3 VINEYARD STATISTICS FOR THE UMPQUA VALLEY AVA AND THE SUB-REGIONS AS DEFINED IN THE TEXT TABLE 4 SIZE DISTRIBUTION FOR ALL VINEYARDS IN THE UMPQUA VALLEY AVA TABLE 5 DESCRIPTIVE STATISTICS FOR TOPOGRAPHICAL VARIABLES OF ELEVATION, SLOPE, AND ASPECT DERIVED FROM A DIGITAL ELEVATION MODEL FOR ALL VINEYARDS IN THE UMPQUA VALLEY AVA AND SUB-REGIONS TABLE 6 SUMMARY OF CARDINAL DIRECTIONS FOR ALL VINEYARD ASPECTS IN THE UMPQUA VALLEY AVA

4 TABLE 7 THE MAIN GEOLOGY, EPOCH, AND LITHOLOGY THAT THE EXISTING VINEYARDS ARE FOUND ON IN THE UMPQUA VALLEY AVA TABLE 8 THE MOST COMMON SOIL SERIES OR UNITS, THE ACRES ENCOMPASSED, AND THE NUMBER OF VINEYARDS WITH THAT SOIL TYPE FOR THE ENTIRE UMPQUA VALLEY AVA (NRCS: SOIL SURVEY GEOGRAPHIC (SSURGO) DATA BASE, 2002) TABLE 9 STATISTICS OF THE PRISM GRIDDED CLIMATE DATA OBSERVED FOR THE VINEYARD SITES IN THE UMPQUA VALLEY AVA. THE PRISM DATA ARE FOR THE CLIMATE NORMAL TIME PERIOD (SEE THE TEXT FOR DETAILS) TABLE 10 NUMBER OF VINEYARDS ESTABLISHED BY DECADE IN THE UMPQUA VALLEY AVA TABLE 11 NUMBER OF YEARS BETWEEN INITIAL PLANTING AND FIRST MARKETABLE HARVEST TABLE 12 SURVEYED ACREAGE OF ALL VARIETALS GROWN, SUMMARIZED FOR THE UMPQUA VALLEY AVA AND EACH SUB-REGION TABLE 13 TYPES OF ROOTSTOCKS USED IN THE UMPQUA VALLEY AVA TABLE 14 TYPES OF TRELLIS STYLES USED IN THE UMPQUA VALLEY AVA TABLE 15 PRUNING METHODS USED IN THE UMPQUA VALLEY AVA TABLE 16 SURVEY RESULTS SUMMARIZED FOR THE THIRTEEN MAIN VARIETALS GROWN IN THE UMPQUA VALLEY AVA TABLE 17 SITE TOPOGRAPHICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE MAJOR VARIETIES PLANTED IN THE UMPQUA VALLEY AVA TABLE 18 SURVEY RESULTS SUMMARIZED FOR THE PHENOLOGICAL DATES AVERAGED OVER ALL VARIETIES, RED VARIETIES, AND WHITE VARIETIES GROWN IN THE UMPQUA VALLEY AVA TABLE 19 SURVEY RESULTS SUMMARIZED FOR THE PHENOLOGICAL TIMING FOR EACH OF THE THIRTEEN MAIN VARIETALS GROWN IN THE UMPQUA VALLEY AVA TABLE 20 GROWER RATINGS OF EACH VARIETY S ABILITY TO CONSISTENTLY PRODUCE THE BEST FRUIT ON THEIR SITE TABLE 21 SURVEY RESPONSES SUMMARIZED FOR THE QUESTION, WAS A SOIL SURVEY CONDUCTED AND IF SO BY WHOM? TABLE 22 SURVEY RESPONSES SUMMARIZED FOR THE QUESTION, "IS THE SITE IRRIGATED, AND IF SO WHAT TYPE OF IRRIGATION IS USED? TABLE 23 SURVEY RESPONSES SUMMARIZED FOR THE QUESTION, "WHAT IS THE SOURCE OF YOUR IRRIGATION WATER?" TABLE 24 SURVEY RESPONSES SUMMARIZED FOR THE QUESTION, "HOW OFTEN DOES YOUR VINEYARD EXPERIENCE FROST DAMAGE?" TABLE 25 SURVEY RESPONSES SUMMARIZED FOR THE QUESTION, "DOES THE SITE HAVE ANY SORT OF FROST PROTECTION AND IF SO WHAT TYPE IS USED?" TABLE 26 SURVEY RESPONSES SUMMARIZED FOR THE QUESTION, IS THE SITE INSTRUMENTED WITH WEATHER RECORDING DEVICES (E.G., WEATHER STATION, TEMPERATURE SENSOR(S), RAIN GAUGE, ETC.)? TABLE 27 NOW THAT YOU HAVE EXPERIENCE IN THE BUSINESS, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE ABOUT YOUR OPERATION AND WHY? TABLE 28 SURVEY RESPONSES SUMMARIZED FOR THE QUESTION, "WHAT VARIETIES AND HOW MUCH ACREAGE OF EACH DO YOU PLAN TO PLANT OVER THE NEXT 5 YEARS?"

5 Acknowledgments The author would like to thank the Oregon Wine Advisory Board and the Umpqua Chapter of the Oregon Winegrowers Association for the funding necessary to complete this project. The author also owes gratitude to Will Brown, wine aficionado and historian, for his help with the historical information used in the report and John Boyd and the Douglas County Planning Department for providing some of the background GIS data. Thanks also go to the faculty in the Geography Department at Southern Oregon University and the University for giving the support, both spiritually and physically to complete the project. But most importantly, thanks goes out to all of the growers in the Umpqua Valley for allowing access to your vineyards, your motorized vehicles to get around with, and the opportunity to experience one of the most beautiful valleys anywhere. Finally, special thanks goes to Liz, Adam, and Curtis Jones, without whose understanding and love this project would not have been possible. 3

6 Summary This research has helped document the spatial characteristics of winegrape production in the Umpqua Valley AVA. Through a ground survey using Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and a grower survey of varietal, management, and site characteristics, an in depth Geographic Information System (GIS) database has been compiled for the region. Overall, the Umpqua Valley AVA encompasses 700,000 acres in Douglas County, Oregon with 58 vineyards planted to 1106 acres of grapes. Existing vineyards can be found from the Days Creek Valley to Elkton and Drain along a mile east-west corridor of the Umpqua River and its tributaries. The vineyards average 9.3 acres in size with a few small, hobby vineyards of less than acre to vineyards over 75 acres. Over 30 varieties (including some unnamed hybrids and numerous rootstocks) were identified as being grown in the Umpqua Valley with red grapes representing 73% of the total acreage. The most commonly planted red varieties in order include: Pinot Noir (44%), Cabernet Sauvignon (5.7%), Syrah (5.2%), Merlot (4.1%), Tempranillo (3.5%), Zinfandel (3.1%), and Baco Noir (1.4%). The most commonly planted white varieties in order include: Chardonnay (7.6%), Pinot Gris (6.0%), White Riesling (5.3%), Gewurztraminer (3.3%), Müller Thurgau (1.5%), and Pinot Blanc (1.2%). Spatial variations show that warmer climate varieties are planted in the South and Central Umpqua areas (e.g., Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, and Tempranillo), while cooler climate varieties dominate the North Umpqua area (e.g., Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, White Riesling, and Gewurztraminer). Grape varieties grown in the Umpqua Valley AVA are most commonly done so on selfrooted vines or using or 3309 rootstocks. Grapevines are typically cane pruned and trellised to either Scott Henry or vertical shoot positioning. The Umpqua Valley AVA offers a beneficial environment for growing cool, intermediate, and warm climate varieties. Overall, the current vineyards have a mean annual rainfall of 39.2 inches with a range of 22.7 inches from the wettest (North Umpqua) to driest (South Umpqua) locations. Vineyard growing season degree-days range from 2222 to 2782, with an average of 2562 and higher accumulations in the South and Central Umpqua and lower accumulations in the North Umpqua. Frost occurrence and frequency reveals a low risk environment for most sites and varieties in the Umpqua Valley AVA. The 4

7 date of the last spring frost ranges from late March to late April with the median date of 14 April. The median first fall frost occurs on 1 November with the earliest and latest across the region happening during the second week of October and November, respectively. The frost-free period averages 201 days across all existing vineyards, with a 47-day difference between the shortest and longest periods (site-driven). This climate structure results in an average budbreak on 14 April, flowering on 12 June, véraison on 20 August, and harvest on 11 October. From a landscape perspective, Umpqua Valley AVA vineyards are situated at an average elevation of 580 feet with sites typically situated from 362 to 798 feet. Slopes average 9.4% (5.4 ) and range from flat to a few greater than 50% (27 ). Site aspects were found to range from E to WSW, averaging roughly SSE. Geologically, Umpqua Valley AVA vineyards are planted on landscapes that formed during the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods (roughly million years ago) through the Eocene epoch of the Tertiary period (35-60 million years ago) to the more recent Holocene epoch of the Quaternary period. The underlying bedrock consists of mostly alluvial deposits, marine basalts, sandstones, siltstones, and mudstones, along with isolated sedimentary and granitic rocks and volcanic ash. The soils that make up the vineyard lands include nearly 70 different types. Most vineyards are planted to mixed loams with Jory, Chapman-Chehalis, Roseburg, Sutherlin, Veneta, Pengra, and Speaker soil types the most common. The majority of growers indicated that they had conducted soil surveys to assess soil characteristics before planting, while a few indicated that yearly soil analyses were important to maintaining vineyard soil nutrient balance. In terms of vineyard management issues, two-thirds of existing Umpqua Valley AVA growers indicated that they irrigated, with the majority using various drip irrigation systems. Water used for irrigation is most commonly sourced from allocated river water or managed district water, however many growers also used wells, springs, ponds, or community reservoirs. Umpqua Valley AVA growers do not generally use frost protection (over 85%), however, damaging frosts resulting in an average 10% loss were stated as occurring in 1 out of 5 years on average across all sites. Of those growers that use frost protection, wind machines were deemed most effective and were used four times per year on average, while cultivation methods were stated as being less effective. 5

8 Grower experiences revealed three general themes related to grape growing in the region: varietal issues, structural issues, and economic issues. Most growers indicated the desire to alter varieties, clones, and rootstocks to better match their individual site environments. In addition, many growers suggested that they would alter structural issues such as irrigation and trellis styles. Surveys indicated that many of the initial plantings were done without fully understanding the region or site climate, soil, and landscape characteristics enough to make the proper choices. Economically, many of the surveyed growers said that it was critical to have a better understanding of labor and market issues. Regardless of these concerns, many of growers stated an interest in planting more acreage in the next five years. Of those responding, there is more interest in planting red varieties with Syrah, Tempranillo, and Pinot Noir representing the most acreage. For white varieties, Viognier and Pinot Gris were listed as the two that growers see as a good fit to the region. Grape growing and wine production in the Umpqua Valley AVA has a rich history and a bright future. This research represents another step in the continuing process to better understand the potential of this important winegrape-growing region. 6

9 Introduction Grape growing and wine production is a rapidly expanding agricultural pursuit in many regions worldwide, including diverse areas of the United States and Oregon. A long history of grape growing has resulted in the majority of the best wine producing regions being found in distinct regions the Mediterranean region of Europe, the chaparral region of the western United States, the mattoral of Chile, the fynbos of South Africa, and the mallee of Australia and New Zealand. In addition, many of these regions have developed cultural identities with specific varieties or wine styles. These identities did not come easily as it has taken many years of trial and error to find what grows best in each environment and in many cases, the experimentation continues today. Each individual that decides to pursue grape growing and/or wine making has to face myriad decisions in which good planning and education should not be sacrificed (Figure 1). While each person will approach the challenge from different standpoints, arguably the single most important decision that any potential grape grower will face is choosing the right site and the best variety that matches its environmental potential. While site selection will typically involve compromises, in that few sites will possess ideal landscape and climate characteristics in every respect, this all-important decision will have a major impact on the vineyard s yield, the quality of the wine produced, and the vineyard s long-term profitability. The first suite of factors in Figure 1 take on the holistic ecological view of the French, termed terroir in which it is believed that the combination of the grape variety, the climate, the landscape, the soil, and the grower and winemaker interact to produce the distinctive wine style of a site or region. While it can be long debated which factor is most critical, climatic potential is the baseline by which all growers should establish the potential varieties that can be ripened in a given area or on a particular site. Ripening potential is driven by various weather and climate factors that occur from the macroscale (broader regional climate structure), to the mesoscale (the local or site climate structure), and the microscale (the climate of the vineyard s canopy). Broadly speaking, there are four climate groupings that relate to the maturity potential at these scales: cool, intermediate, warm, and hot. Typical varieties for each grouping are: 7

10 Cool: Müller-Thurgau, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay Intermediate: Dolcetto, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Semillon Warm: Cabernet Franc, Tempranillo, Merlot, Malbec, Viognier, Syrah Hot: Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Nebbiolo These groupings are largely based upon the heat accumulated over a growing season (growing degree-days), but are also affected by the occurrence of frost, the length of the growing season (frost free period), solar radiation and cloud cover, and rainfall. Grape Variety Climate Soil Terrain Regional Association Viticulture Training Pruning Vineyard Care Harvest Methods Regional Traditions Legal Constraints Viniculture Crushing, Fermentation, Aging Style-Directed Methods Cultural Traditions Legal Constraints Wine Figure 1 The collection of factors that one encounters in the grape growing to wine production continuum. Note that viniculture is the study or science of making wines. Once a broad climate/variety match is made to a region, a potential grower can maximize the ripening potential by picking a site that enhances weather and climate characteristics of solar radiation receipt, frost avoidance and cold air drainage, and wind. This is can be accomplished by choosing sites with good soil and landscape characteristics. Topographic factors that exert the greatest influence on a site s climate include elevation, slope, aspect (the direction the slope faces), hill isolation and how it 8

11 affects air drainage, and proximity to bodies of water (Hellman, 2003). Elevation effects are related either to the pooling of cold air in low-lying areas or vertical temperature declines produced at higher altitudes. Growing grapes on sloping land enhances solar radiation receipt and reduces spring and fall frost occurrence by allowing for drainage of cold air. In addition, sloping land increases water drainage, which leaves drier soil that promotes rapid warming and earlier vine growth. However, slope limits should be observed with slopes less than 1% having little added benefit and those more than 20% resulting in greater difficulty using machinery. Aspect plays a big role in growth timing, evaporative potential, and radiant heating of fruit and vines. Aspects from southeast to southwest tend to have the earliest growth in the spring and the highest heat loads during the growing season, and are therefore generally the most beneficial. Easterly aspects provide for rapid evaporation in the early morning, which can minimize moisture problems, but have lower overall heat accumulation. Northwest to northeast aspects minimize all of these effects, but can be appropriate if one wants to grow a cooler climate variety on warmer climate site. Many of the best grape-growing landscapes are found on mid-valley hillsides or on isolated hills where nocturnal inversions occur (temperature increases with height). Once the cold air drains away, the slopes reside in a thermal belt, which has less frost potential and warms rapidly during the daytime. Finally, proximity to bodies of water provides moisture to the air, which can moderate the climate extremes (lower daytime maximum temperatures and higher nighttime minimum temperatures). While the other components in the grapes to wine continuum (Figure 1) can be arguably as important as the match of a variety to a site s climate and landscape as discussed above, the topics are beyond the intended scope of this study and interested individuals should consult the book Oregon Viticulture (Hellman, 2003). The Umpqua Valley Oregon currently ranks as the fourth largest wine producer in the United States, growing grapes in six appellations (Federally designated grape growing and wine making regions, called American Viticultural Areas-AVAs): the Applegate Valley, the Columbia Valley, the Rogue Valley, the Umpqua Valley, the Walla Walla Valley, and the Willamette Valley. In 2002, there were 582 vineyards and 176 wineries growing over 25 different 9

12 varieties on over 12,000 acres with an economic benefit of over 250 million dollars to the state (Oregon Vineyard and Winery Reports, 2002). The Umpqua Valley American Viticultural Area (AVA) was established in 1984 and its boundary is located entirely in Douglas County (Figure 2) (Code of Federal Regulations, 2000). Geographically, the Umpqua Valley AVA is bounded to the west by the Coastal Range, to the south by the Klamath Mountains and to the east by the Western and High Cascades. Often called the Hundred Valleys of the Umpqua, the Umpqua River and its tributaries drain a beautiful array of landscapes, which ultimately empties into the Pacific Ocean. Today, the Umpqua Valley AVA is a rapidly expanding winegrape growing region offering a diverse array of landscapes and climates that provide the various conditions needed to produce cool, intermediate, and warm-climate grape varieties. History The history of grape growing in Oregon began with the Hudson Bay Company planting grapes in Fort Vancouver around However, more widespread grapevine plantings did not occur until the opening of the Oregon and Applegate Trails, which brought pioneers to Oregon with dreams of prosperity. These early plantings most likely resulted in table grapes or wine production for personal consumption. By 1855, Peter Britt had initiated wine production on a larger scale when he opened a winery in southern Oregon and produced wines with grapes grown outside the state. Eventually Britt planted over 200 varieties of grapes from California and the eastern United States, conducting the first experimentation on what grew best in Oregon s climate. In 1873, after a challenge by the Internal Revenue (predecessor of the IRS) to pay taxes on his wine, Peter Britt became a legal entity called Valley View Vineyards (possibly the first legally designated winery in Oregon). For the Umpqua Valley, the history of grape growing and wine production largely mirrors that of Oregon. In 1849, Jesse Applegate had taken a donation land claim in the 1 The historical information mentioned here is derived mostly from research conducted by Will Brown on both the Rogue Valley and Umpqua Valley regions (2003), discussions with Richard Sommer, and historical newspaper articles and documents from the Douglas County Museum of History and Natural History. 10

13 Figure 2 Map depicting the location of the Umpqua Valley AVA. area of present day Yoncalla and Drain. It is thought that he planted an orchard and vineyard on the property. However, after losing his property, Applegate returned to California to recover financially. He returned to the Umpqua Valley in 1876 and planted what was reported to be 12,000 vines. By this time, others had planted what were mostly thought to be table grapes and the opening of the railroad from Roseburg to Portland in 1872 facilitated the commercial marketing of fresh fruit. Much of this early production was probably propagated wild native grapes (V. californica) or American varieties made available from Peter Britt s plantings in the Rogue Valley or from the Lewelling Nursery in Milwaukee, Oregon which brought vines from the eastern United States as early as 1847 (varieties such as Delaware, Black July, Royal Muscadine, and Isabelle are mentioned). The United States Census report of 1880 gives a production of 2865 pounds of grapes in Douglas County. The numbers were questioned by Hardin Davis of Oakland, Oregon in a letter to the Portland Oregonian in which he stated that his neighbors, E.W. Ottey and Fen Sutherlin, each grew more than what was reported and that he knew of at least

14 farmers raising on the average 1000 pounds of grapes annually. Davis letter must have been a refutation of wine production as he concluded by saying that grapes were a drug on the market. The first serious experimentation with V. Vinifera vines in the Umpqua Valley appears to have started with the arrival of the Von Pessl brothers, John and Edward. The Von Pessl s were immigrants from the Landau province of southwestern Germany (Rhineland-Pfalz region) who had worked in vineyards and wineries in Lodi and St. Helena, California. They established a vineyard, a distillery, and a winery near Cleveland, Oregon to the northwest of Roseburg, experimenting with European grapes using cuttings from the Beringer Brothers vineyard in California. In a Roseburg Review column in January 1903, Edward Von Pessl stated that, Riesling, Sauvignon Vert, Sweetwater, Rose and Golden Chasselas, Semillon, Burgundy, and Carignane bear abundantly every year and do not often fail to mature. Following the Von Pessls to the Umpqua Valley was Adam Doerner, an immigrant from Bavaria, Germany. Doerner had worked in vineyards in California, but came to Oregon as a cement worker on the Winchester Bridge. Because wine was such an important cultural tradition in his family, he planted a vineyard on his Melrose/Cleveland area homestead that he purchased in Around this time, Doerner secured a license as a distillery, which was later abandoned. With the anticipation of Prohibition, the Umpqua Valley and all of Oregon saw a sharp decline in wine production. In 1916, Oregon enacted state prohibition, which closed all wineries in Oregon and in 1920, National Prohibition was established. During prohibition, the Doerners sold grape juice from their farm of which some undoubtedly ended up in home winemaking. In addition, there are records of at least one local table grape grower who was convicted of the manufacturing and possession of intoxicating liquor. While still in the grip of Prohibition, Adam Doerner died in 1923 never being able to completely realize his goal of large-scale commercial wine production. In 1933, Prohibition was repealed nationally and many wineries quickly opened in Oregon, including Oregon bonded winery #7 which was started by Adolph Doerner, Adam s son. Adolph also planted more acreage including Zinfandel, Sauvignon (it was most likely Sauvignon Vert), and Berger (or Burger). The Doerners produced wine under the name Melrose, reaching a production of 5-7 thousand gallons a year. The wine produced was a light red style largely thought to be a blend of Zinfandel, White Riesling, and Sauvignon [Vert]. The wine 12

15 production part of the operation continued until 1953 followed by nine years when only stock on hand was sold (indicating a potential market issue). In 1965, Ray Doerner closed the entire operation with about twelve thousand gallons of wine still on hand in storage tanks. The new era of Umpqua Valley and southern Oregon grape growing and wine production started in the late 1950s with the arrival of Richard Sommer. Sommer, who studied viticulture at the University of California at Davis, was told by his instructors that grapes would not grow in Oregon. Having family ties to Oregon, Sommer thought better and explored the possibility of planting grapes in Oregon. Deciding that the Willamette Valley was too wet and that the Rogue Valley was too hot, he focused on the Umpqua Valley. Visiting the Doerners in the late 1950s, Sommer made some wine from their fruit and decided that the area would suit his interests in grape growing and wine production. Following the recommendation of the Doerners, Sommer bought an old chicken and turkey farm and planted five acres of White Riesling cuttings obtained from Louis Martini of Napa Valley. In 1963, Sommer bonded Hillcrest Vineyard and made a few hundred gallons of wine in his first year (Oregon Bonded Winery #44). Finding the climate conducive, Sommer eventually planted nearly 35 acres of vines; including many new varieties never planted in Oregon before. Others soon followed Richard Sommer s lead in rediscovering the Umpqua Valley wine industry. One of the first was Paul Bjelland who, in 1968, planted a vineyard and established Oregon Bonded Winery #47 in the Ten Mile area southwest of Roseburg. While the Bjelland winery does not exist anymore, he left a legacy when he established an organization of winegrape growers, which eventually joined with growers in the Willamette Valley to become the Oregon Winegrowers Association. Others that followed included many that had worked for Richard Sommer at one time or another at Hillcrest. They include Donna Souza-Postles (La Garza Cellars), Dino DeNino (DeNino Estates), and Patty Green (Patty Green Cellars) each starting with experience and/or cuttings from Hillcrest. Other earlier contributors to the grape and wine industry in the Umpqua Valley include Bill Sims (Sims Vineyard), Frank Guido (Garden Valley Winery), Philippe and Bonnie Girardet (Girardet Wine Cellars), Scott Henry (Henry Estate), Tony Tringolo (Cleveland Hill Vineyard), Mike and Shelley (Doerner) Wetherell (Wetherell Vineyards), and Alfred Mack McCorquodale (McCorquodale Vineyard). 13

16 By 1972, the grape and wine industry in the Umpqua Valley had grown from the Von Pessl and Doerner period to a reported 12 vineyards growing 115 acres of grapes (Oregon Vineyards Directory, 1972: Also of note is the rebirth of the Doerner Vineyard in 1979). By the initial Oregon Vineyard and Winery Report of 1987 (OASS, 1987), the Umpqua Valley was reported to have had 31 vineyards with 313 acres planted, producing 724 tons of grapes, and seven wineries with 618 tons of grapes crushed for wine production. By 2002, the region had seen reported acreage increase to 648 acres on 36 vineyards producing 1299 tons of fruit, increases of 107, 16, and 79 percent from 1987, respectively. In addition, the number of wineries increased to 12 (71% growth since 1987) and 542 tons of grapes were crushed in 2002 (OASS, 2002). The differences in the relative amount of Umpqua Valley AVA production being crushed at wineries in the region from 1987 to 2002 (85 to 42 percent) can be attributed to more grapes being sourced to wineries outside the region, which indicates the growing desirability of Umpqua Valley AVA fruit. The dominant varieties planted in the region include Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Gris, Merlot, and Gewurztraminer. Although the varieties listed above make up over 80 percent of the crop in the Umpqua Valley, the region is proving to be well suited for other varieties such as Baco Noir, Maréchal Foch, Tempranillo, Syrah, Malbec, and Dolcetto. Thanks to the pioneering efforts of Jesse Applegate, John and Edward Von Pessl, Adam Doerner, and Richard Sommer, the Umpqua Valley has been proven to be a region that can produce many V. Vinifera varieties. It from their vision and hard work that the grape growers and wine makers of today can be firm in their ideals of the Umpqua Valley being a high quality wine producing region. Topography and Soils The topography of the Umpqua Valley is extremely diverse being derived from the joining of three mountain formations of varying ages and structure: the Klamath Mountains, the Coastal Range, and the Cascades. The Klamath Mountains extend into the southwestern portion of the AVA and consist of complex folded and faulted igneous and metamorphic rocks that are the oldest in the region. The Cascade Mountains to the east are volcanic in origin and consist of the younger High Cascades and the older, more 14

17 deeply eroded Western Cascades that make up the eastern boundary of the AVA. The region is partially protected from the ocean and storm systems by the moderate relief of the mountains of the Coastal Range, which are composed of mostly marine alluvial fans, marine sediments, and volcanic islands that were accreted to the landscape over the last 50 million years. Overall, the joining of these three mountain formations and the drainage patterns created by the Umpqua River and its tributaries creates a landscape that is mostly valley lowlands scattered by isolated hilltops and ridges. Within the AVA, the best grape growing sites can be found on isolated hills, stream terraces or benches, and at the foot of alluvial fans that range from ft in elevation. From the diverse geology of the region comes a widely varying mix of metamorphic, sedimentary, and volcanic derived soils. The lower elevations of the valley are mostly deep alluvial material or heavy clays while the hillside and bench locations have mixed alluvial, silt, or clay structures. In general, flatter landscapes tend to have deeper mixed loams, northern and eastern slopes tend to have heavier clay and silt soils, and south and western facing slopes have lighter silt and sandy soils. Complex faulting, especially in the southern part of the AVA, can produce large variations in soil types over small areas. Drainage and moisture-holding capacity varies greatly by soil type, and while most soils in the region do retain water into the growing season, available irrigation water for mid to late summer growth is generally needed. Soil fertility varies greatly over the region with issues generally related to either imbalances of nitrogen, calcium, potassium, phosphorous, magnesium, boron, or zinc. Soil ph also varies from region to region (roughly from 4.5 to 7.0) and is mostly due to differences in climate and parent rock material. In general, the soils in the northern portion of the AVA are slightly more acidic due to more rainfall and greater leaching potential, while the southern AVA soils tend to be less acidic. Climate In comparison to the other grape growing regions in Oregon, the Umpqua Valley AVA has the most beneficial climate structure in the state with the longest growing season, the lowest risk of both spring and fall frosts, and has low ripening period rainfall and temperature extremes (Jones, 2003). The region is warmer than the Willamette Valley to the north, but slightly cooler than the Rogue Valley to the south. Heat accumulation varies 15

18 north to south in the AVA with growing degree-days averaging in the north and in the south (Table 1). Precipitation is also quite variable from north to south, averaging inches annually with less than 15 percent of the total precipitation occurring during the growing season of April through October. The growing season averages 200 days across the AVA and varies from 180 to over 215 days depending on elevation while the median last and first frost (32 F) occurs on April 10 and October 31, respectively (Table 2). Table 1 Average climate characteristics for representative stations in the Umpqua Valley AVA. Station (Elevation) Average July Maximum Temperature (ºF) Average January Minimum Temperature (ºF) Average Mean Growing Season 1 Temperature (ºF) Growing Degreedays (Apr- Oct., 50ºF base) Precipitation (inches) Drain (292 ft.) Elkton (122 ft.) Flournoy Valley (700 ft.) NA 2 NA NA NA 45.2 Riddle (680 ft.) Roseburg (465 ft.) Winchester (460 ft.) *All data are from the climate normals for that station, except for Flournoy Valley which are from monthly climate summaries over for and , respectively (OCS and WRCC, 2003). 1 April through October. 2 NA = data not available. While the Umpqua Valley AVA has been an important region in Oregon s grape growing history and has proven to be a diverse and beneficial suite of landscapes and climates to grow winegrapes, very little is known about the overall make up of the vineyards in the region (i.e., planting environment, vineyard development, and management). Most of the previous research done in the region has been carried in specific trials (mostly by growers) and for general statewide agricultural assessment (Oregon Vineyard and Winery Reports, ). Therefore, the overall purpose of this study was to conduct a comprehensive mapping of vineyards in the region and the creation of a geospatial database of vineyard location and management characteristics that will facilitate future research. The information derived from research will provide a better understanding of the regional aspects of viticulture; facilitate current management 16

19 Table 2 Median frost dates for representative stations in the Umpqua AVA. Station Median Date of Last Spring Occurrence Median Date of First Fall Occurrence Frost-Free Period (# of days last to first, 32ºF) 24ºF 28ºF 32ºF 36ºF 24ºF 28ºF 32ºF 36ºF Drain (292 ft.) 2-Feb 13-Mar 24-Apr 16-May 23-Dec 30-Nov 26-Oct 30-Sep 193 Elkton (122 ft.) 16-Jan 10-Feb 2-Apr 6-May NA 15-Dec 9-Nov 15-Oct 220 Flournoy Valley (700 ft.) NA 1 NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA Riddle (680 ft.) 30-Jan 6-Mar 22-Apr 13-May NA 28-Nov 31-Oct 4-Oct 191 Roseburg (465 ft.) 16-Jan 10-Feb 7-Apr 6-May NA 20-Dec 8-Nov 15-Oct 215 Winchester (460 ft.) 31-Jan 3-Feb 28-Mar 11-Apr NA 9-Dec 5-Nov 23-Oct 222 Data Source: WRCC, 2003 (from the period of record for that station). 1 NA = data not available. practices; and provide insights into future development decisions. The research has four main goals: 1) to map the individual vineyard sites in the Umpqua Valley AVA using a Global Positioning System (GPS); 2) to use existing geospatial data in a Geographic Information System (GIS) to analyze the physical factors that make up the grape growing environments of the Umpqua Valley AVA; 3) to create map-based products that can be used for further analysis and promotion; and 4) to create a comprehensive geospatial database containing information regarding each vineyard that will facilitate current and future research. Data and Methods The research described in this report was created using a Geographic Information System (GIS) database of the individual vineyard sites in the Umpqua Valley AVA. Each vineyard in the viticultural area was surveyed via two methods: 1) using a Global Positioning System (GPS) to geographically-locate each vineyard (required a visit to each vineyard), and 2) a paper survey to gather information specific to each vineyard. Data from both surveys was then combined with a larger geographical database at Southern Oregon University that contains region-wide information on elevation, slope, aspect, soils, and climate. To collect the data regarding each vineyard 2 a survey was constructed asking vineyard specific questions on varietals (type, acreage, clones, rootstocks, and 2 Mailing lists from the Umpqua Valley Chapter of the Oregon Winegrowers Association and the Oregon Wine Advisory Board were collated and used to contact each grower in the region. 17

20 phenology), vineyard management practices (pruning, trellis type, irrigation, and frost protection), vineyard site characteristics (topography and soil), and viticultural strategies (historical development, knowledge base, and future directions). The survey was administered as a paper document mailed to the growers (Appendix Table 1) in the early summer of 2002 and data collection started soon thereafter. During September of 2002, the field portion of the research started with visits to each vineyard to conduct the GPS work. A Trimble GPS Pathfinder Pro XR receiver, a GIS data collection and data maintenance system that provides real-time sub-meter accuracy, was used during the fieldwork. The GPS data collection was done during September 5-11, The vineyards were GPS surveyed either by the perimeter of the entire acreage or by block where feasible. The coordinates were collected using a 3-5 foot buffer around each end row or post and by either walking or riding in available farm vehicles. Once the data was collected in the field, it was processed using sophisticated GPS/GIS data processing software (Trimble's GPS Pathfinder Office) using a local base station for differential correction of the data (a process by which potential errors in the points are corrected to a known location). Once processed, the data were combined into a GIS database using Environmental Systems Research Institute s ArcView and ArcGIS software. The GIS allowed for combining the vineyard location data with existing data and provided a multiple layering and analysis tool. Existing geophysical data from the Douglas County Planning Department (2002), the Oregon Geospatial Data Clearinghouse (OGDC, 2002), the Oregon Climate Service (OCS, 2002), and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS, 2002) was acquired to facilitate the research. The data consists of various boundary files (e.g., counties, National Forests, etc.), surface features (e.g., soils, roads, rivers, etc.), gridded climate data (e.g., precipitation, growing degree-days, frost, etc.) from the PRISM climate model (Daly et al., 2001; OCS, 2002), and a 10-meter (32.8 feet) digital elevation model for Douglas County (created by mosaicking together numerous 1:24,000 USGS quad maps). The PRISM (Parameter-elevation Regressions on Independent Slopes Model) model is derived from a combination of point data (established weather stations), a digital elevation model, and other spatial data sets to create estimates of monthly and annual climate variables that are gridded at resolution of roughly 1.45 miles (Daly et al., 2001). This data allows for the spatial analysis of the vineyard climate structure by overlaying the 18

21 vineyard locations with the gridded climate data. Climate variables assessed include annual precipitation, growing degree-days (from April to October using a base temperature of 50 F), the date of the last spring frost, the date of the first fall frost, and the length of the frost-free growing period in days (each of the frost parameters are given for the median value at 32 F). The digital elevation model was further processed, producing slope and aspect layers from which to summarize the vineyard characteristics. The topographical data at this scale means that each square grid of 32.8 feet has an elevation, slope, and aspect value allowing for very precise estimation of vineyard location characteristics. In addition, the Umpqua Valley AVA boundary was digitized from the legal description and associated map (Code of Federal Regulations, 2000 and Federal Register, 2000) producing the first accurate electronic form of the AVA boundary. To examine vineyard geology, digital data was obtained from the Oregon Geospatial Data Clearinghouse (OGDC, 2002) that was originally compiled from Walker and MacLeod s (1991) Geologic Map of Oregon. Vineyard soil types were analyzed using the digital soils database from the National Resource Conservation Service for Douglas County was used (NRCS, 2002: formerly known as the Soil Conservation Service). The soil surveys contain information describing soil types, their properties including drainage and water-holding capacity, and detailed maps of soil locations. While the data from soil surveys tend to be spatially limited in their accuracy, they describe the general pedon 3 that can be found in a given area. The vineyard location and characteristic data were then summarized over the whole region and by sub-region within the AVA. In addition, maps of the important spatial characteristics were produced for the region. In the sections that follow, the results of the survey and spatial depiction of the data are described. 3 A pedon is the smallest body of one kind of soil large enough to represent the nature and arrangement of horizons and variability in the other properties in that area (NRCS, 2002). 19

22 Results GPS Survey The Umpqua Valley AVA encompasses a total of 689,154 acres and is located completely within Douglas County, Oregon (Figure 2). The landscape in the AVA consists of over 60% of agriculturally zoned lands with the remaining 40% mostly mixed forest use and urban or urban-rural interface zoned lands. The GPS survey resulted in 58 vineyards being geo-referenced with an average horizontal and vertical precision of all points of less than two and three feet, respectively. Geographically, vineyards in the Umpqua Valley AVA are found as far south as the Days Creek Valley to the Elkton and Drain areas to the north. From the east to west, vineyards in the region are found mostly within a narrow miles of the main sections of the Umpqua River and its tributaries. Overall, the 58 vineyards that were ground surveyed consist of a total of acres with a median vineyard size of 9.3 acres and a range of less than one acre to 205 acres (Table 3). However, a size distribution shows that the majority of the vineyards in the region (60%) are from acres in size with only six vineyards greater than 30 acres (Table 4). For ease of description and interpretation, the sub-regions have been designated as the South Umpqua region (from Roseburg to the southern AVA boundary), the Central Umpqua region (from Roseburg to Sutherlin, including the Garden Valley, Melrose, and Coles Valley areas), and the North Umpqua Region (from Sutherlin to the northern AVA boundary). A comparison by these sub-regions (Figure 3a) shows that the majority of the vineyards are found in the Central Umpqua region followed by the South Umpqua and then North Umpqua. Over 50% of the current acreage is found in the Central Umpqua region and the greater average sizes in the Central and North Umpqua regions is due to both having single large vineyards (Table 3). 20

23 a b Figure 3 a) Location and sizes of the vineyards of the Umpqua Valley AVA (the horizontal lines represent the boundary of the three sub-regions as described in the text), b) Elevation map of the Umpqua Valley AVA with vineyard locations. 21

24 Table 3 Vineyard statistics for the Umpqua Valley AVA and the sub-regions as defined in the text. Statistic Entire AVA* South Umpqua Central Umpqua* North Umpqua* # of Vineyards Total Acres Mean Size Median Size Std. Deviation Maximum Minimum Range *Note that large vineyards in these regions can skew the mean and the median is a better measure of average size. Table 4 Size distribution for all vineyards in the Umpqua Valley AVA. Acres Number of Vineyards Landscape Characteristics Overlaying the vineyard coordinate information with the USGS digital elevation model (USGS, 2002) reveals the topographical characteristics for the surveyed vineyards in the region (Figure 3b). On average vineyards are currently sited at 580 feet across the entire AVA (the median is a better measure of the average because one or two high elevation sites skew the mean) with a standard deviation across all vineyards of 218 feet (Table 5). Vineyards are found from a minimum elevation of 197 feet along the Umpqua River near Elkton to a maximum elevation of 1296 feet at a site northeast of Oakland. Summarized for each region, elevations are highest on average in the South Umpqua averaging 698 feet, followed by the North Umpqua at 642 feet, and the Central Umpqua region at 502 feet (Table 5). Vineyards in the Umpqua are currently planted to landscapes that average 9.4% (5.4 ) slope with variations that run from flat sites to those with some portions of their 22

25 vineyards with slopes greater than 50% (27 ) (Table 5). Vineyard slopes are roughly similar between the South and Central Umpqua regions with the North Umpqua having a few sites on steep slopes that skew the averages (the North Umpqua has a higher standard deviation). Over the entire AVA it is most common to find vineyards planted to slopes that range from 3.0 to 15.8% (9.4% ± 6.4%). Vineyard aspects (dominant slope direction) in the Umpqua Valley AVA are found to range from E to WSW (mean 75 ), averaging roughly SSE (Table 5). By region, average vineyard aspects tend to be more SSW in the North Umpqua region, SSE in the Central Umpqua region, and S in the South Umpqua region. Dividing the vineyard aspects into the main cardinal direction quadrants (e.g., a south quadrant is all aspects from SE to SW, a west quadrant is all aspects from SW to NW, etc.) finds that over 64% of the vineyards are planted to south or west aspects (Table 6). In addition, the results reveal that over 10% of all vineyards are planted on flat (no dominant aspect) or north facing sites. Table 5 Descriptive statistics for topographical variables of elevation, slope, and aspect derived from a digital elevation model for all vineyards in the Umpqua Valley AVA and subregions. Variable Statistic Entire AVA South Central Umpqua Umpqua North Umpqua Elevation Mean (feet) Median Std. Deviation Maximum Minimum Range Slope Mean (%) 1 Median Std. Deviation Maximum Minimum Flat Flat Flat Flat Range Aspect Mean 166.6, SSE 168.7, S 152.2, SSE 206.4, SSW (direction) Median 163.2, SSE 171.4, S 152.8, SSE 213.8, SSW Std. Deviation *Note that the values given are first summarized for each vineyard (not shown) and then for the AVA or sub-region (an average of an average). 1 Degree and percent slope are not equivalent - to derive slope in degrees, divide the number given above by 100 and take the arctan -1 of that value. 23

26 Table 6 Summary of cardinal directions for all vineyard aspects in the Umpqua Valley AVA. Aspect Percent of Vineyards Flat 7.1 North 5.4 East 23.2 South 42.9 West 21.4 From a geological perspective, vineyards in the Umpqua Valley AVA are found residing on landscapes that formed during the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods (roughly million years ago) through the Eocene epoch of the Tertiary period (35-60 million years ago) to the more recent Holocene epoch of the Quaternary period (Table 7). The lithology of the underlying bedrock that vineyards are found on consists mostly of alluvial deposits, marine basalts, sandstones, siltstones, mudstones, and isolated sedimentary and granitic rocks and ash deposited from the eruption of Mount Table 7 The main geology, epoch, and lithology that the existing vineyards are found on in the Umpqua Valley AVA. Name Type Age-Epoch Lithology Acres Percent of Total No Name Qal Holocene Alluvial Deposits Siletz River Volcanics Tsr Mid-Lower Eocene Marine Basalts and Paleocene No Name Lower Eocene and Marine Sandstone, Tmsm Paleocene Siltstone, and Mudstone Marine Siltstone, No Name Tmsc Lower Eocene Sandstone, and Conglomerate Dothan Formation KJds Lower Cretaceous Sedimentary Rocks and Upper Jurassic Yamhill Formation Ty Marine Siltstone and Mid-Upper Eocene Basaltic Sandstone Tyee Formation Tt Mid-Eocene Marine Sandstone and Carbonaceous Siltstone No Name KJg Cretaceous and Jurassic Granitic Rocks No Name Tmss Middle Eocene Marine Sandstone and Siltstone No Name Qma Holocene Mazama Ash Deposits

27 Mazama (resulting in Crater Lake). The most common bedrock type is Holocene alluvial deposits, which make up over 35% of the vineyard geology in the region (Table 7). An examination of vineyard soil types finds that nearly 70 different soil series or units occur within the Umpqua Valley AVA vineyards. However, nearly 80% of the current vineyard acreage contains 13 dominant soils (Table 8). Nearly all of the soils are variations in loams (a mixed loam soil exhibits the properties of sand, silt, and clay equally) with most containing silt or clay loam variations. While the first four soils Jory, Chapman-Chehalis, Roseburg, and Sutherlin make up over 45% of the vineyard acreage, more vineyards are planted to the Sutherlin, Veneta, Pengra, Speaker, and Roseburg loam soil types. These seven soils have the following general characteristics (all other soils are as described in NCRS, 2002): Jory a dark reddish brown soil that is found more predominantly in the Willamette Valley but also occurs in the northern portion of the Umpqua Valley. Jory soils are generally very deep (depths to basalt or sediments are normally over 60 inches), well drained with moderately slow permeable soils that formed in colluvium weathered from basic igneous materials and secondarily from tuffaceous and sedimentary materials. Chapman-Chehalis Complex a complex of soils that are dark brown to dark grayish brown. In general, the complex is very deep, well-drained, and formed in mixed silty, clayey and sandy alluvium from volcanic and sedimentary rocks. Both main soil types are found on stream terraces and high flood plains in the Umpqua Valley and are usually quite moist during the winter and spring (subject to flooding). Each has slow runoff with moderate to rapid permeability. Roseburg a soil type found mainly in the Umpqua Valley that is very dark grayish brown, well-drained (flooding is rare) but with slow runoff and moderate permeability. The soils are commonly found on the gradual slopes at the edges of flood plains with depths to gravel of 60 inches or more quite common. 25

28 Table 8 The most common soil series or units, the acres encompassed, and the number of vineyards with that soil type for the entire Umpqua Valley AVA (NRCS: Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Data Base, 2002). Soil Series/Unit Acreage Percent of Total Number of Vineyards JORY SILTY CLAY LOAM CHAPMAN-CHEHALIS COMPLEX ROSEBURG LOAM SUTHERLIN SILT LOAM EVANS LOAM ROSEHAVEN LOAM BATEMAN SILT LOAM PENGRA SILT LOAM WINDYGAP SILT LOAM OAKLAND SILT LOAM SPEAKER-NONPAREIL COMPLEX VENETA LOAM DUPEE SILTY CLAY LOAM NEKIA SILTY CLAY LOAM SPEAKER LOAM MALABON SILTY CLAY LOAM OAKLAND-SUTHERLIN COMPLEX COBURG SILTY CLAY LOAM NONPAREIL LOAM NEWBERG FINE SANDY LOAM PACKARD GRAVELLY LOAM JOSEPHINE GRAVELLY LOAM PHILOMATH-DIXONVILLE COMPLEX WALDO SILTY CLAY LOAM NONPAREIL-OAKLAND COMPLEX WINDYGAP-BELLPINE COMPLEX SIBOLD FINE SANDY LOAM DICKERSON LOAM WOLFPEAK SANDY LOAM STOCKEL FINE SANDY LOAM OAKLAND-NONPAREIL-SUTHERLIN COMPLEX BRAND SILTY CLAY LOAM CONSER SILTY CLAY LOAM GREENGULCH-CEDARGROVE COMPLEX WINDYGAP CLAY LOAM REDBELL SILT LOAM CURTIN CLAY PANTHER SILTY CLAY LOAM FOEHLIN GRAVELLY LOAM YONCALLA SILTY CLAY LOAM FORDICE VERY COBBLY LOAM ABEGG VERY GRAVELLY SANDY LOAM

29 Sutherlin a soil series of moderate extent occurring in the interior valleys of south and west-central Oregon and northern California. The soil type is dark to yellow brown, moderately well-drained with very slow permeability that formed in alluvium and colluvium that tends to be more loam in the upper horizons and more clayey lower down. This soil is commonly found on landscapes that range from broadly convex foot slopes to moderately steep hill slopes. Pengra a soil series found mainly in localized areas of the southwestern interior valleys of Oregon. The soils are usually found on foot slopes and alluvial fans of foothills and were formed in clayey alluvium that is overlain by more recent slope alluvium. The soils are generally dark grayish brown and are quite deep but somewhat poorly drained with very slow permeability (in many cases, perched water tables can be found during the winter and spring). Veneta a soil series that consists of very deep, moderately well-drained, slow to medium runoff soils that were formed in old stratified clayey alluvium. Usually dark brown, the soils are generally found on stream terraces and low foothills between feet of elevation. Found throughout Southern Oregon. Speaker an extensive soil series being found throughout southwestern Oregon and northern California. The soils are found on foot slopes over a wide range of elevations and formed in moderately fine textured colluvium weathered from volcanic, conglomerate, and sedimentary sandstones along with metavolcanic rocks. Usually dark brown, the soils are normally well-drained with medium to high runoff and moderately slow permeability. Soil types by sub-regions in the Umpqua Valley AVA reveal spatial variability due mostly to the underlying geology (Table 7) or surface processes that are dominant in creating the soils and are detailed in Appendix Tables 2-4. In general, the most common soil type (in number of vineyards) occurring across all regions is Sutherlin silt loam. In the South Umpqua region Sutherlin silt loam occurs on nearly 25% of the vineyards with 27

30 the other soil types containing more gravelly structure than the other two regions (Appendix Table 2). The Central Umpqua region s acreage largely consists of two broad types; 1) the Chapman-Chehalis Complex, which is found mostly in the Melrose area, and 2) various loams and silt loams (Appendix Table 3). The North Umpqua region is dominated by Jory silty clay loam with over 50% of the acreage planted to it (Appendix Table 4). However, the soil is found on only three vineyards mostly in the Red Hill area near east of Yoncalla. The region also is home to soils not found to a large degree in the other regions (e.g., Bateman, Windy Gap, Dupee, and Nekia loams) and are formed mostly because of the wetter climate. Climate Characteristics Overlaying the vineyard coordinate information with the PRISM gridded climate model (Daly et al., 2001; OCS, 2002) reveals the climatic characteristics for the surveyed vineyards in the region (Table 9). Over the entire AVA, the current vineyards have a mean annual rainfall of 39.2 inches with a range of 22.7 inches from the wettest to driest locations (Figure 4; Table 9). The South Umpqua and Central Umpqua regions have comparable annual rainfall, while the North Umpqua region has higher rainfall totals due to the lower topography and opening of the Umpqua River canyon to the west allowing more moisture inland. Degree-days accumulated over the April through October time period range from 2222 to 2782 for the entire AVA, with an average of 2562 (Figure 5; Table 9). Again, comparable values are found between the South Umpqua and Central Umpqua regions with the North Umpqua region having slightly lower accumulated heat. Frost timing reveals a mean date of the last spring frost of April 14 for the entire AVA (Table 9). Spring frost dates range 29 days over the region with last frost dates as early as March 28 in the North Umpqua area and as late as April 26 in the South Umpqua area (Figure 6; Table 9). The first frosts in the fall typically occur on November 1 with a 20-day variation between all sites in the Umpqua Valley AVA. The earliest first 28

31 Table 9 Statistics of the PRISM gridded climate data observed for the vineyard sites in the Umpqua Valley AVA. The PRISM data are for the climate normal time period (see the text for details). Statistic Annual Precipitation (inches) Growing Degree- Days 1 Last Spring Frost (doy) 2 First Fall Frost (doy) 2 Frost Free Period (Days) Entire AVA Mean Apr 1-Nov 201 Std. Dev days 5 days 10 Maximum Apr 10-Nov 227 Minimum Mar 21-Oct 180 Range days 20 days 47 Region 1 Mean Apr 30-Oct 196 South Umpqua Std. Dev days 3 days 7 Maximum Apr 4-Nov 205 Minimum Apr 23-Oct 180 Range days 12 days 25 Region 2 Mean Apr 4-Nov 205 Central Umpqua Std. Dev days 2 days 4 Maximum Apr 7-Nov 210 Minimum Apr 29-Oct 193 Range days 9 days 17 Region 3 Mean Apr 30-Oct 201 North Umpqua Std. Dev days 8 days 20 Maximum Apr 10-Nov 227 Minimum Mar 21-Oct 180 Range days 20 days 47 1 Growing degree-days are accumulated over April to October using a base temperature of 50 F. 2 Note that doy stands for day of the year. Each of the frost parameters is given for the median date at 32 F. frosts in the fall occur in the third week of October and the latest first fall frosts occur in the first and second weeks of November (Figure 7; Table 9). The difference between spring and fall frost dates provides a median number of days of growth potential (often called the growing season length). The frost-free period in the Umpqua Valley AVA averages 201 days across all vineyards, however there is a 47-day difference between the longest and shortest periods (Figure 8; Table 9). Longer intervals are found in the Central Umpqua and North Umpqua regions. The shortest intervals of 180 days are both found at higher elevation sites in the North and South Umpqua regions (Table 9). Variations in dates or the number of days, both between or within regions, are undoubtedly due to microscale and mesoscale site differences and indicate how important good site selection can be to the climate structure of a particular site. 29

32 Figure 4 Annual Precipitation for the Umpqua Valley AVA (OCS, 2002). Figure 5 Growing degree-days for the Umpqua Valley AVA summed from April through October using a 50 F base temperature (OCS, 2002). 30

33 Figure 6 The last spring frost for the Umpqua Valley AVA as defined by the median date of the occurrence of 32 F (OCS, 2002). Figure 7 The first fall frost for the Umpqua Valley AVA as defined by the median date of the first occurrence of 32 F (OCS, 2002). 31

34 Figure 8 The length of the frost-free period for the Umpqua Valley AVA as defined by the difference between the median dates of the first fall and last spring frosts at 32 F (OCS, 2002). Vineyard Survey The vineyard survey (Appendix Table 1) was completed and returned by 53 of 58 (91%) vineyards that were GPS surveyed. Of the remaining five vineyards, three were not being farmed anymore due to retirement or unidentified issues and the other two either did not respond or did not wish to participate. The earliest planting in the region occurred in 1961 followed by three other vineyards being established in the 1960s (Table 10). During the three decades that followed, vineyard establishments were roughly 10 per decade, however the first three years of the current decade has seen a large increase in vineyards being established. Extrapolating the current development to cover the time period would suggest that 50+ could be realized in the region during that time period. Growers were also asked how many years it took from the time of the initial planting to the first marketable harvest. From the responses, it appears that the window of time for a marketable harvest is 2-5 years (Table 11). 32