Solar eclipses occur more frequently than most people know but most of them occur primarily or entirely over the ocean in addition most eclipses are partial and its rare that a total eclipse passes over a part of the earth that is developed accessible and part of a world renowned wine region on monday august 21st 2017 just such an event will occur when a total eclipse lasting around 2 minutes will occur right over top of oregons beautiful willamette valley the ancients commemorated