Oregon Wine Grape Production Hits Record

By SARAH SKIDMORE
Associated Press Writer

5:12 AM CDT, March 17, 2008

PORTLAND, Ore. - Oregon produced and crushed a record amount of grapes in 2007, the third year in a row it has hit such highs.

Experts say it’s the result of the right mix of good weather and demand for Oregon wine.

“I think it’s just another impressive figure to show the continued growth in Oregon,” said Chris Mertz, director of the Oregon Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, which compiled the report.

Oregon wineries sold 1.7 million cases of wine for $207.8 million in 2007. But there is still unmet demand, the report found, particularly for mature grapes such as pinot noir.

“Oregon wines have never been more popular around the world,” said Ted Farthing, executive director of the Oregon Wine Board, which represents the state’s wineries.

Pinot noir and pinot gris production both increased by 15 percent. Cabernet sauvignon production increased by 33 percent.

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