The three-tiered sign project helps upgrade visibility of local businesses and welcomes visitors to the Eola-Amity Hills winegrowing region
AMITY, Ore., September 5, 2016 — In the last two weeks of August and the first few weeks of September, sleek, new, entryway signage has been appearing throughout the Eola-Amity Hills AVA (American Viticultural Area). The new gateway signs are part of a broader visibility project that included the recent installation of over 40 similarly branded, individual vineyard and winery signs installed throughout Polk and Yamhill Counties in June. Major funding to design, fabricate, place and maintain the entryway signs was provided by Travel Oregon through the Oregon Wine Country Plates Matching Grants program and by members of the Eola-Amity Hills Winegrowers Association. The Eola-Amity Hills Winegrowers Association was also able to collaborate with the city of Amity to leverage the funds for four additional co-branded, welcome signs to be placed on the four main roads entering the town.
The goal of the overall signage project is to heighten the visibility of the AVA, and to welcome visitors to the winegrowing region.
“The placement of these signs is the culmination of years of planning and design and has been a goal of the AVA since its inception in 2008,” said Eola-Amity Hills Winegrowers Association President, Jon Lauer of Bryn Mawr Vineyards. “We couldn’t be more excited to achieve this goal and see the fruits of our labor come to pass.”
The signs are made from corten and stainless steel, which will weather to a deep, dark rust color – similar to the color of the predominant volcanic soils in Eola-Amity Hills AVA. They feature the logo of the Eola-Amity Hills Winegrowers Association, depicting the AVA’s rolling hills and winds and the AVA’s namesake “Eola-Amity Hills.” These attributes are central to the unique characteristics of the Pinot noir and other outstanding wines from the AVA. The name Eola is taken from the Greek god Aeolus – keeper of the winds – and refers to the marine winds that funnel to the Eola-Amity Hills through the Van Duzer Corridor in the Coast Range. The name Amity refers to the small, convivial town of Amity and to the first vineyard planted (1971) and winery established (1976) in the region, Amity Vineyard & Winery.
The Eola-Amity Hills American Viticultural Area (AVA), located in Polk and Yamhill Counties, is one of Oregon’s unique wine growing areas, approved by the United States Department of Treasury, Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau in 2006. The Eola-Amity Hills Winegrowers Association was established in 2008 to promote and advance the AVA, its grapes, wines and visitor experiences. The Association has 100+ members including wineries, vineyards and supportive local businesses.
