Oregon Hits Record Wine Grape Production in 2011

We recently posted about the banner year Oregon had with regards to agricultural sales in 2011. A story from the Portland Business Journal reports that 2011 was also record breaking for the state's wine grape production. 

The 41,500 tons of Oregon wine grapes produced last year was a 33 percent increase from 2010. Higher production appears to have been a result of increased fruit yields (up 28%) rather than an expansion of plantings (down by 100 acres). The value of Oregon's grape harvest also rose, increasing by nearly 30 percent from the previous year.

The article notes that while Oregon's vineyards are concentrated in the Willamette Valley, the industry also has a presence in other areas across the state. In 2011, the Willamette Valley had 610 wine grape operations. The Rogue Valley was home to 210 operations, followed by the Columbia River Valley with 90, and the Umpqua Valley with 50.

For more information, check out the full story from the Portland Business Journal, or the full report published by the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Oregon Field Office.