Valley View Winery is a winery in the Applegate Valley AVA in Southern Oregon, United States.[1] Started in 1972, Valley View is one of the oldest wineries in Oregon. Best known for producing a wide variety of wines, Valley View is noted for pioneering Bordeaux varieties in Oregon.
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The original Valley View Vineyard was started by pioneer photographer Peter Britt in 1860 and was located in the gold rush town of Jacksonville in the Rogue Valley. Valley View Vineyard was the first winery in Oregon. Peter Britt produced wines under the Valley View label until his death in 1919. In 1971, Frank Wisnovsky and his family purchased 76 acres (310,000 m2) in the Applegate Valley and planted 12 acres (49,000 m2) of grapes in the spring of 1972. In 1974, Valley View planted 14 acres (57,000 m2) more. The original 26 acres (110,000 m2) of vineyards consisted of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Pinot noir and Gewürztraminer. Valley View’s first two vintages, which consisted of Cabernet Sauvignon, were produced by Tualatin Vineyard in the Willamette Valley. In 1980, Frank Wisnovsky died in a drowning accident at Lost Creek Lake.[2] He is survived by wife Ann along with their daughter Joanne and their sons Robert, Mark and Michael.
Through the years Valley View has won numerous national and international awards including a Double Gold medal for the 1990 Chardonnay in the World Wine Championships in Ljubljana, Slovenia. With the 1990 vintage the winery began using the Anna Maria label for its best wines in honor of the founding mother Ann Wisnovsky.
Valley View has had four winemakers in its 35 years. University of California, Davis graduate Guy Ruhland was winemaker for the 1978 and 1979 vintages. John Eagle was winemaker from 1979 to 1982, and Rob Stewart from 1982 to 1984. In 1985, John Guerrero, a new graduate from UC Davis, became Valley View’s fourth winemaker in six years and has been with Valley View ever since. He is now in his 26th year as winemaker and is one of the most award winning winemakers in Oregon history.[1]
Valley View is most known for its pioneering efforts in producing Bordeaux varieties and blends. However in recent years Syrah, Viognier and the Spanish variety Tempranillo have become the major focus along with late harvest wines including a port-style wine.