By Fred Delkin

   While the Willamette Valley has dominated the stage in Oregon wine production,  our southernmost wine region has been quietly growing…and has just gotten a boost from a comprehensive viticultural research project.  A report titled “Site characteristics of vineyards in the Rogue & Applegate valleys”, compiled by Southern Oregon University professor Gregory Jones, is being hailed as recognition for the wine potential of this rather remote area and should be valuable in expanding grape growing here.

   The Rogue Valley is one of  five designated Oregon wine regions (North Willamette, South Willamette, Umpqua and Columbia Valley are the others).  The Rogue region, just north of the California border, is subdivided into three river valley growing areas: Rogue, Applegate and Illinois.  This region has a warmer climate than the state’s other winegrape growing sites.  It is proving able to grow popular grape varieties that are discouraged in cooler areas to the north.  Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc thrive here as crops and claim notice beyond the vinous attention Oregon first earned with the Pinot cousins (Noir, Gris & Blanc) of the Willamette Valley.  

   Biggest wineries in the region, Valley View and Bridgeview, are also among the state’s largest volume producers.  While the former produces several labels and a bold spread of varietals, the latter is the most widely distributed in-state and concentrates its efforts on Pinot Noir, Riesling and Chardonnay, offering some of the best values in our state’s wine production.  

   Other established southern labels include Foris (notable quality), Ashland and Weisinger’s.  Rogue region grapes have also inspired a new standard of quality in Merlot under the Griffin Creek label that was recently established by Willamette Valley Vineyards.  See the web links at the end of this column for the southern wineries actively marketing (in addition to those mentioned above, check Bear Creek, Cricket Hill, Paschal and Troon).  With the advent of the aforementioned research and the awards being earned by grapes from the Griffin Creek vineyards, additional investment in vineyards and wineries can be expected.  

A tourist mecca

   The Rogue region, once you exit westward off Interstate 5, offers a variety of traveler’s delights beyond wine sampling.  Rafters worldwide toast the white water adventure on the Rogue River, while the lesser known Illinois is also a world-class paddlers’ target.
   The Oregon Caves National Monument also beckons Illinois Valley visitors.  The area  boasts the historical preservation of 19th century Jacksonville, former gold mining boom town and site of the long-running Peter Britt classical music Festival.  And when it comes to culture, Ashland’s deservedly famous Shakespearean Festival now runs most of the year and has inspired some of the state’s best dining establishments where you can sample ideal food matchups with the wines of the region.
   The relatively new wine dimension to Jackson and Josephine counties certainly combines with other reasons to visit to create a memorable traveler’s destination.  

Winery web sites (also check links at http://www.oregonwine.org):

 http://www.bridgeviewwine.com
 http://www.foriswine.com
 http://www.valleyviewwinery.com
 http://www.weisingers.com
 http://www.wvv.com (Griffin Creek)  

© 2002  Oregon Magazine