The Tempranillo grape varietal dates back to at least 1000 BCE.

On a hot, late July evening, fans of the Spanish varietal tempranillo gathered for a summer tasting at Red Lily Vineyards. It was rather epic.

Excellent Oregon tempranillo, a shady beach along the Applegate River, paella from Elements Tapas Bar & Lounge and serenaded by local band Shine On, the event was distinctive of the Southern Oregon latitude 42 that also runs through the Rioja and Ribera Del Duero regions of Spain — native lands of the tempranillo grape.

This grape varietal, dating back to at least 1000 BCE, was likely one of the early trading commodities utilized by ancient Phoenicians. Through the centuries, it has proven its popularity. In 2015, tempranillo was the fourth-most widely planted grape variety globally. Today, it’s moved up to number three.

Tempranillo likes heat for creating its sugars, and its thick skin provides its deep red color. But the grape also likes cool climates that bring forth the elegance and savory fullness of the wine. The diurnal shifts occurring in Southern Oregon — hot days and cool nights, along with higher altitudes — support these requirements to produce fine quality tempranillo grapes.

In the 1990s, after years of research and time spent in Spain, Earl and Hilda Jones were the first to bring tempranillo to the U.S. Abacela Winery in Roseburg produced its first wine in 1997 and has garnered awards ever since. Tempranillo grapes are now grown within every AVA in Oregon and consistently produce excellent, diverse, award-winning and distinctive Oregon wines.

The Oregon Tempranillo Alliance was formed in 2015 to create the promotion and sales of tempranillo grapes in Oregon, along with other wine markets. The founders, Earl Jones (Abacela), Scott Steingraber (Kriselle Cellars), Eric Weisinger (Weisinger Family Winery) and Les Martín (Red Lily Vineyards), had a goal to create a noncompetitive alliance directed toward the education and growing of tempranillo grapes. The nonprofit alliance held its first celebration in Ashland in 2016 and currently offers yearly events. This past spring it hosted a week-long cruise along the Gironde River in France, which included wine education seminars. Watch for the possibility of another cruise in 2025.

This year’s summer tasting event featured nine Oregon wineries and was sold out. The outdoor event was a more casual, party-style atmosphere than in the past, but tasting of these wines was just as extraordinary. Sales were brisk, and the 2023 event proved to be another vinous celebration of the noble Spanish grape known as tempranillo.

For more information on the Oregon Tempranillo Alliance, see oregontempranilloalliance.com.