The Willamette Valley is a large, fertile valley running south from the city of Portland. It is protected from the cold, wet weather of the Pacific Ocean by the Coast Range mountains, which creates a relatively dry and sunny, but still cool, growing season.

The climate is mild and maritime, with cool, wet winters and warm, dry summers. This provides the long, gentle growing season that is perfect for ripening the fickle Pinot Noir grape, allowing it to develop complex flavors while retaining its signature acidity and elegance. The valley’s diverse soil types are a key factor in the complexity of its wines.

Napa Valley is a small, narrow valley about 30 miles long and a few miles wide. It is flanked by the Vaca Mountains to the east and the Mayacamas Mountains to the west. This geography creates a perfect climate for grape growing, with a variety of microclimates.

The San Pablo Bay at the southern end funnels in cool fog and breezes, making the southern part of the valley (like the Carneros AVA) cooler and ideal for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. As you move north, the climate gets progressively warmer, providing the perfect conditions for ripening Cabernet Sauvignon.

The valley floor and the surrounding hillsides offer a complex mosaic of soil types, contributing to the diversity of wine styles.