• The union of two existing AVAs—the Rogue Valley AVA and the Umpqua Valley AVA
• A small strip of connecting territory is included in the Southern Oregon AVA to make it a contiguous region; however, this strip passes through mountains regions not suitable for vineyards

1. Umpqua Valley AVA

• Sits between the Coast Range to the west and the Cascade Range to the east, with the Willamette Valley AVA to the north and the Rogue Valley AVA to the south
• The Umpqua Valley has a warmer climate than the Willamette Valley, but is cooler than the Rogue Valley to the south
• The region includes one sub-AVA, the Red Hill Douglas County, Oregon AVA
• Formed by the convergence of three mountain ranges of varying ages and structure
• Many sub-valleys known as the Hundred Valleys of the Umpqua
• The Northern area around the town of Elkton enjoys a cool, marine-influenced climate
• It receives around 50 inches of annual rainfall, making irrigation unnecessary
• These cooler areas allow varietals such as Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, and Riesling
• The Central area to the northwest of Roseburg has a transitional, or intermediate, climate where both cool and warm varieties do well
• The area south of Roseburg is warmer and more arid, similar to Rogue and Applegate valleys to the south, making irrigation necessary
• The warmer valleys contain Merlot, Cabernet, Syrah, Tempranillo, and Grenache
• Generally, the soils are mix of metamorphic, sedimentary and volcanic rock; though more than 150 soil types have been identified in the region

2.  Rogue Valley AVA

• Includes the drainage basin of the Rogue River and several tributaries, including the Illinois River, the Applegate River, and Bear Creek
• Most wineries in the region are found along one of these three tributaries, rather than along the Rogue River itself
• Much of the land within the AVA is not suitable for grape cultivation
• The three valleys differ greatly in terroir, with the easternmost Bear Creek valley being warmest and driest, and the westernmost Illinois River valley being coolest and wettest
• Each river valley has a unique climate and grows different varieties of grapes
• Bear Creek Valley ‘s climate is similar to France’s Bordeaux region and is well suited for growing cabernet sauvignon, merlot, chardonnay, cabernet franc, pinot gris, sauvignon blanc, malbec and syrah
• Applegate Valley’s more moderate climate is generally drier and warmer than the  Illinois Valley to its west, yet not as warm and dry as Bear Creek Valley to the east (planted with varieties such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Chardonnay and Zinfandel)
• The Illinois Valley is to the west of the Applegate Valley appellation and suitable for growing Burgundian varieties such as pinot noir, gewürztraminer, riesling, pinot gris, chardonnay, pinot blanc, early muscat and gamay noir
• This region is the warmest and driest of Oregon’s wine-growing regions