Oregon Enters Its Bubble Era: A New Chapter in Sustainable Living

Oregon has recently entered a new era of sparkling wine production, leveraging its expertise in Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Historically, the state had only a few producers creating sparkling wines, but today, the number has surged to over 100. Many of the top producers have united under a collective called ‘Method Oregon,’ inspired by South Africa’s Cap Classique organization, to promote and maintain standards for high-quality sparkling wines from the region.

Though still in its formative stages as an organization, the collective embodies the unity that has long characterized the Oregon wine scene. Recently, a tasting of their wines showcased the remarkable progress they have made.

Rollin Soles, a pioneer in Oregon’s sparkling wine industry, recalls a lone journey when he first arrived in Oregon in the late 1980s to co-found Argyle Winery. His experience in traditional-method sparkling wine, honed under the guidance of Champagne Bollinger while working at Petaluma Wines in Australia, provided him with the insights to innovate in a nascent wine region.

Soles observed that with the original vineyard practices in the Willamette Valley, where plants were spaced widely and on their own roots, achieving perfect ripeness for traditional still wines was challenging. This led him and his partners to shift their focus towards sparkling wines, knowing they could consistently achieve quality at that level.

Oregon’s sparkling wine scene is now on the cusp of broader recognition, with the potential for its unique offerings to stand alongside traditional methods from other wine regions.

About the Author: Chris Lehoux

Meet Chris Lehoux, an experienced wine connoisseur and dedicated blogger with a deep passion for all things wine-related. With years of expertise in the industry, Chris shares insightful wine reviews, valuable wine tasting tips, expert pairing advice, and captivating tales of vineyard visits. Join Chris on a journey through the world of wine, where every sip is an adventure waiting to be savored!