Johan Vineyards' Change of Address: New Van Duzer Corridor AVA Approved

For years, wineries west of the Eola Amity Hills AVA have known that the Van Duzer Corridor was a definitive climatic element of their sites. Now their uniqueness has been recognized by the TTB, which last week deemed the region the Van Duzer Corridor AVA.

It is the 19th AVA in Oregon and covers nearly 60,000 acres although only 1,000 acres are planted in grapevines. It is the seventh subappellation of the broader Willamette Valley AVA. Its eastern neighbor, the Eola-Amity Hills AVA, became an appellation in 2006.

In defining the geographic and viticultural characteristics of the new AVA, the TTB wrote that the region had, "persistently high wind speeds and lower growing degree day accumulations. The grapes grown in the proposed AVA have different physical characteristics, such as thicker grape skins, and maturation rates than the same varietals grown in other parts of the Willamette Valley AVA."

Source: Johan Vineyards

"We're thrilled to have our area recognized as a viticulturally distinct growing region here within the Willamette Valley," the winery wrote on its Facebook page.

Johan Vineyards in Rickreall farms 63 acres of organic and Biodynamic vineyards, producing 3,600 cases of certified wines (out of 4,000 total cases). It was certified in 2010.

The winery is known for its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay as well as for branching out into varietals that are innovative planting in the region - Blaufrankisch, Melon de Bourgogne, and Gruner Veltliner. It also makes Pet Nats. The winery also sells grapes to local wineries, including natural wine makers, a popular movement in nearby Portland.