American Viticultural Area · OR
Rogue Valley
Rogue Valley is a federally-designated American Viticultural Area in OR, established in 1991. The map below shows its official TTB boundary alongside nearby AVAs.
The Rogue Valley boundary is highlighted. Nearby AVAs are rendered in gray — click any of them to view that AVA's page.
At a glance
Established
1991
State
OR
Climate
Mediterranean
Signature varietals
Boundary recorded in 27 CFR Part 9 · Source: TTB
About the Rogue Valley AVA
Rogue Valley, designated 1991, is the southernmost AVA in Oregon, tucked against the California border in the drainage of the Rogue River and its tributaries. It is the warmest and driest of Oregon's major wine regions, and also among the highest in elevation, with vineyards planted in a series of valleys at 1,200 to 2,000 feet. That elevation brings cool nights even in a warm, sunny climate, preserving acidity. Rogue Valley lies within the larger Southern Oregon AVA and contains the Applegate Valley AVA.
Because it is warmer than the Pinot Noir country to the north, Rogue Valley ripens Bordeaux and Rhône varieties well: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, and Tempranillo are widely planted, alongside cooler-site Pinot Noir and aromatic whites at higher elevations. The range of microclimates across its sub-valleys gives the region an unusually broad varietal mix for Oregon.
Nearby AVAs
Other American Viticultural Areas closest to Rogue Valley — useful when a vineyard sits inside more than one AVA at once.