Instructor: David Anderson, WSET- 3

The Columbia River Gorge serves as a border for much of Oregon and Washington. Vineyards are easily visible on both sides of the river starting about an hour east of Portland and continuing in sections well into the Columbia Valley plateau, near Hermiston and Tri-Cities.

A segment of the region produces so many distinct grapes and styles of wine that it has earned its own American Viticultural Area. The Columbia Gorge AVA is a geological and micro-climate wonder, spanning just west of Hood River to The Dalles, and extending north into Washington State along the same longitudinal lines.

Here, climate, geology, and elevation combine to create a wild and diverse terroir that produces some of the most incredible range of white and red varietals. Blustery winds cause the grapes to grow thicker skins. Rich, volcanic soils infuse grapes with properties that bring out intense and spice-driven fruits. Wines can be produced in myriads of ways, using stainless steel, concrete, lots of oak, and everything in between!

In this Wine 101 class, we sample nine distinct varietals and blends of wines exemplifying the diversity of the region, looking at natural historical events that shaped it, site-specific factors influencing vineyard production, and environmental concerns like wildfires and droughts.

Cirriculum contains 3362 words. This is an online self-guided course. Wines are not included.