Welcoming the Académie Internationale du Vin to Oregon | July 2025

A Rare Invitation

Josh Bergström is one of just five American members of the Académie, and the newest, having joined in 2023. For the Académie to gather here was an honor for our entire region, and for us personally, it was a rare and deeply meaningful moment.

A Week of Exploration

Throughout five days, members explored Oregon’s AVAs in depth, experiencing the diversity of our landscapes and the individuality of our vineyards. They met with pioneering families who helped shape the region and with the next generation carrying their work forward. The program included seminars, collaborative tastings, and dinners that showcased wines from just‑released vintages to bottles with decades of age, generously shared from winery cellars. Discussions ranged from the nuances of geology and farming to the effects of climate change, and from the cultural identity of wine to the spirit of cooperation that defines Oregon.

The Académie visited many of Oregon’s most storied wineries, experiencing the breadth and depth of the region’s wines. Bergström Wines hosted a full day focused on the Chehalem Mountains and Ribbon Ridge AVAs. We began in the vineyards, exploring the fine details of soils and exposure, before moving to the cellar for comparative tastings that revealed something surprising to many of our visitors: how a single site here can yield both Pinot Noir and Chardonnay of distinct character, something virtually unexplored in most Old-World regions. Fellow producers from neighboring estates joined us to share their perspectives and wines, creating a lively exchange of ideas. The day ended with a luncheon among the vines, paired with wines that spoke to the character and limitless potential of these cherished sites.

Oregon’s Place in the Global Wine Community

To welcome such a distinguished group of global wine ambassadors to Oregon and share our region’s story on the world stage was a privilege we will not soon forget. We watched as many of our winemaking heroes fell in love with this region’s landscapes, wines, and community—a feeling we know they carried home and will share with the world. Moments like this remind us that, in our relatively short winemaking history, Oregon has earned its place in the conversation among the world’s greatest wine regions.

It was a joy to open our doors and our vineyards, and to welcome such extraordinary guests to our table. We will cherish the memories for years to come.