6. The Southern Region, Ore.
Where: The Southern Region is a
rugged mountain valley that stretches 125 miles from south of Eugene to
the California border. It's edged by the Cascade Mountain Range to the
east and the Coast Range to the west.
Why go: Known for its thunderous
waterfalls, covered bridges, diverse wildlife, and awesome overlooks,
the Southern region also produces nearly 12 percent of Oregon's wines.
Leafy vineyards pepper the green valley, along with majestic mountains,
breathtaking volcanic formations, and the 7,000–year–old Crater Lake—the
deepest in all of North America.
Regional specialties: Notably warmer
than up north in the better known Willamette Valley, the southern region
grows rich dark fruit with higher sugar levels and intense flavors.
Big, bold beefy reds, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, and
Cabernet Franc do well here. However, there are cooler areas of this
region in the higher sections, which produce floral Viogner, crisp
Riesling, savory Gewurtzraminer and spicy Syrah.
