The Willamette Valley story begins with ambition: the idea that this region of Oregon could rival Burgundy in producing exceptional Pinot noir. Long before the name was familiar to many American wine drinkers, a group of pioneering wine families came together to build community, define quality standards, and forge a reputation rooted in place, climate, and soil. These milestones, early plantings in the 1960s, foundational growth in the 1970s, formal AVA designation in 1983, and international recognition today, chart the evolution of one of the world’s most respected wine regions.