| Lower Long Tom AVA | |
| Type: | American Viticultural Area |
| Year: | 2021[1] |
| Country: | United States |
| Part Of: | Oregon, Willamette Valley AVA |
| Similar: | Chehalem Mountains AVA, Dundee Hills AVA, Eola-Amity Hills AVA, Laurelwood District AVA, McMinnville AVA, Ribbon Ridge AVA, Tualatin Hills AVA, Van Duzer Corridor AVA, Yamhill-Carlton District AVA |
| Soil: | Bellpine[2] |
| Total Size: | 25000acres. |
| Planted: | 575acres |
| Vineyards: | 24[3] |
| Varietals: | Pinot noir, Pinot gris, sauvignon blanc, riesling, chardonnay[4] |
| Wineries: | 12 |
Lower Long Tom is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) located in Oregon's southern Willamette Valley in Lane and Benton Counties, near the towns of Junction City and Monroe. The district was established on December 10, 2021, by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau.[1] Its coverage is approximately 25000acres and contains 12 wineries and 24 commercially-producing vineyards that plant approximately 575acres. It lies entirely within the Willamette Valley AVA. The region is primarily known for its Pinot noir and Pinot gris.[3]
The AVA is located in the southwestern Willamette Valley, among Oregon's coastal foothills. The Long Tom River flows along the eastern boundary of the area.[5] The area is also warmer than surrounding regions, protected from cool marine air by a particularly high section of the Central Oregon Coast Range.[1]
The distinguishing feature of the Lower Long Tom AVA is the predominance of nutrient-poor, fast-draining Bellpine soil in the area, which forces vines to push deep in pursuit of food and water. The harder-working vines are believed to produce lighter leaf canopies and smaller grapes with more concentrated flavors and more powerful tannins.[3]
As of 2022, the Lower Long Tom is the only nested appellation located in the southern Willamette Valley AVA, in contrast to nine nested appellations in the north.[6] The approval of the AVA enhanced the southern Willamette Valley's legitimacy as an Oregon wine region.[6] The petition to form the Lower Long Tom AVA was initially filed with the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau by Dieter Boehm of High Pass Winery in 2017.[3]