THE GREAT DEBATE - IS THE BEST PINOT NOIR IN OREGON PRODUCED ON SOILS FROM SEDIMENTARY OR VOLCANIC ROCKS?

Oregon has become a world famous state for the production of fine wines from the pinot noir grape. There are many soils from which to choose, but vineyard managers are favoring two soil series: Jory and Willakenzie. The Jory series was the first soil to be used to produce grapes in Oregon and is a Xeric Haplohumult that is found on deeply weathered outcrops of Columbia River basalt. The Willakenzie series is a Ultic Haploxeralf that forms mainly on marine sedimentary rocks of the northern Coast Range. Both are old, well-developed, and well-drained soils with low pH and low nutrients in the soil. These soils are especially common on the hillslopes of the northern Willamette Valley. The “Great Debate” in Oregon winemaking is which soil produces the best pinot noir grapes and henceforth the best wine. At the end of the talk, members of the audience will get a chance to decide for themselves as a winetasting of two wines from the same winemaker, the same elevation, the same grape plants, and the same exposure will take place.