Think Out Loud

Oregon has strict standards for what can be labeled a “Willamette Valley” wine. Now some wineries want to make those standards even more stringent. Currently, wines must be 95% sourced from the American viticultural area on the label and must contain 90% of the grape varietal — pinot noir, riesling, etc. — featured on the label. Two bills currently under consideration by the Oregon Legislature would raise both requirements to 100%. Proponents say it will help protect the legacy of Willamette Valley wines but some vineyard owners are concerned, particularly if they’re growing grapes outside the Willamette Valley. We’ll hear from Mike McNally, president of the Willamette Valley Wineries Association and co-owner of Fairsing Vineyard and Winery as well as Michael Moore, who runs Quail Run Vineyards and serves on the board of the Rogue Valley Winegrowers Association.