The Chehalem Mountains AVA is the largest and most diverse appellation within the Willamette Valley. Its 100 square miles are home to over 150 vineyards. Only 20 miles southwest of Portland, it makes for
The first modern vineyard on the Chehalem Mountains dates back to 1968, when Oregon wine pioneer Dick Erath He called the property “Chehalem Mountain Vineyards” and started planting it the following spring. Other pioneers including David Adelsheim of Adelsheim Vineyard, Dick and Nancy Ponzi of Ponzi Vineyards and Paul Hart of Rex Hill Vineyard, planted their vineyards in the Chehalem Mountains soon after. Harry Peterson-Nedry of Chehalem winery planted the first Pinot Noir on Ribbon Ridge in 1980.
