About the Willamette Vallley
Location:
The Willamette Valley is located at the foot of the Oregon Coast Range and comprises some of the most fertile and lush farmland in the Northwest. Stretching from just below the Oregon-Washington border to the city of Eugene, the Willamette Valley has long been considered the heartbeat of Oregon. Nineteenth century pioneers following the Oregon Trail were drawn by its Eden-like reputation for abundant land, idyllic beauty and ample resources. These first emigrants did not turn to farming to make a living, but rather to profitable gains of the lumber and fur trades. It was not until later that Oregon's farming industries truly took shape.
Climate:
Our macro-climates are influenced by three openings in the Coast Range which bring cool air from the Pacific into the Valley. One is called the Van Duzer Corridor, which runs from Lincoln City on the coast to Salem in the Valley. The other two are unnamed; one runs from Newport to Corvallis and the other from Florence to Eugene. Cool night air moderates the hot summer days. Summer temperatures can reach the high 90s and sometimes 100+, although mid-to-high 80s are more common. Summer nights tend to be cool and refreshing, which the Valley’s residents truly appreciate. Winters are relatively mild, although overnight temperatures do drop below freezing often during December and January. Spring and Fall both tend to be mild and quite pleasant.
Annual rainfall in the Valley is 40-45 inches. A few miles west, heading into the Coast Range, the rainfall increases dramatically. In fact, it's said that rainfall increases by 10" for every 10 miles you travel west. Coastal rainfall is in the 80" plus range. While rainfall in the Valley is rarely a downpour, or accompanied by thunderstorms, it tends to be steadily wet in the winter (if only as mist). However, it must be noted that no true Oregonian owns (or at least admits to owning) an umbrella. You can count on some amount of rain from September through June. July and August are drier and almost rain-free. Most areas receive a few inches total snowfall in the winter, most often a dusting that melts away quickly.
Population:
Now containing Oregon's largest metropolitan area, the Willamette Valley is considered the state's economic center and is home to more than 2 million people. At its northern tip lies Portland, Oregon's largest city and cultural center. The evidence of Oregon's 19th century homesteaders can still be seen today in the Portland vicinity, where historic landmarks such as Oregon City still flourish.
Agriculture
The Willamette Valley's farmlands stretch far and wide, comfortably supporting crops of nursery stock, wheat, mint, grass seed, blueberries, blackberries, marionberries, raspberries, hazelnuts, garlic, organic produce gardens, and Christmas trees. They all share space with the growing wine-grape industry as there is little competition for acreage.The Willamette Valley is also known for its flourishing wine industry. The valley is divided into two distinct appellations, although both are known for their rich and robust Pinot Noir and exceptional Pinot Gris.
Massive flood waters helped shape this valley more than 10,000 years ago, when the glacial waters of Lake Missoula washed over areas of Oregon and Washington's western regions in a series of periodic floods. The result was a transplantation of rich volcanic soil from eastern Washington to western Oregon, where the moist, cool winds of the Pacific Ocean continue to nurture Oregon's most abundant agricultural region.
