Rogue Valley is the southernmost AVA in the American state of Oregon. It is located entirely within the larger Southern Oregon AVA, with its southern boundary bordering the state of California. Grapes were grown here as far back as the 1840s, but it was not until the end of Prohibition that the area was rediscovered. It attained official AVA status in 1991.
The Rogue Valley straddles the counties of Josephine and Jackson and covers an area of 1.1 million acres (445,000ha). It is in fact three valleys: Bear Creek Valley, Illinois Valley and Applegate Valley (which has its own AVA title). Each wine-producing valley is located around a tributary of the larger Rogue River within the Klamath and Siskiyou mountains.
Rogue Valley is considered to be one of the warmest wine-producing regions in Oregon, but a range of macroclimates across the AVA means there is considerable variation within it. The elevated vineyards of Bear Creek Valley at the eastern end of the AVA sit at heights of up to 2000ft (600m) above sea level, where they enjoy warm sunshine and little rain. The diurnal temperature variation that this altitude brings about helps to extend the growing season, leading to the development of ripeness in the grapes without the loss of acidity. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah thrive in this part of the AVA.
At the other end of Rogue Valley, at the eastern base of the coastal mountains, Illinois Valley is substantially cooler and wetter due to its closer proximity to the Pacific Ocean, just 35 miles (55km) away. The growing conditions here are far better suited to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, along with the aromatic varieties of Riesling and Pinot Gris. Applegate Valley has a more transitional climate, with vineyards that sit at altitudes of around 1500ft (450m) above sea level.
The soils in Rogue Valley are as diverse as the terrain and much of the land is regarded as unsuitable for viticulture. Alluvial silt, gravel and sand provide the best options for growers, as their rapid drainage stops the vines from becoming waterlogged. Instead, root systems can penetrate the ground deeply, which adds to the strength of the vines and prevents excessive vigor.
The wide variety of wine styles produced within the Rogue Valley AVA is at odds with the usual stereotype of Oregon as simply a producer of Pinot Noir.
