{"id":10282,"date":"2020-05-15T12:13:42","date_gmt":"2020-05-15T19:13:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lesliedinaberg.com\/wordpress\/?p=10282"},"modified":"2020-05-15T15:16:14","modified_gmt":"2020-05-15T22:16:14","slug":"sip-trip-rogue-valley","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lesliedinaberg.com\/wordpress\/?p=10282","title":{"rendered":"Sip Trip: Rogue Valley"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>

Sip Trip: Rogue Valley, originally published in Touring & Tasting, spring\/summer 2020.<\/p><\/div>\n

A Global Wine Destination With Bucolic Charm<\/strong><\/p>\n

The natural beauty of Southern Oregon\u2019s Rogue Valley wine country and its\u00a0four wine trails \u2014 Upper Rogue, Bear Creek, Applegate and Jacksonville\u00a0\u2014 are just a part of what makes this area a top global wine destination.<\/p>\n

DAY 1: ASHLAND<\/strong><\/p>\n

9 a.m.<\/strong> Begin your morning at\u00a0Ashland\u2019s Lithia Springs Resort\u00a0(7), where you can immerse\u00a0yourself in four acres of lush, English-inspired gardens. Relax with\u00a0a natural mineral water soak in\u00a0the privacy of your bungalow, followed\u00a0by a delicious hot breakfast\u00a0buffet. lithiaspringsresort.com<\/a><\/p>\n

11 a.m.<\/strong> Explore the hills along\u00a0the back roads of the Bear Creek\u00a0Wine Trail. Set on 40 beautiful\u00a0acres, with views of nearby\u00a0Grizzly Peak and Mount Ashland,\u00a0Grizzly Peak Winery is a haven\u00a0from the busy world. The tasting\u00a0room showcases 12\u201315 distinct\u00a0wines. grizzlypeakwinery.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Weisinger Family Winery (6)\u00a0is committed to producing\u00a0limited-production wines created\u00a0exclusively from local vineyards.\u00a0Sip the signature Gew\u00fcrztraminer\u00a0(along with other varietals),\u00a0which John Weisinger first\u00a0planted with the help of his three\u00a0young children in 1978.\u00a0weisingers.com<\/a><\/p>\n

2:30 p.m.<\/strong> A cultivated tasting\u00a0under the oak tree at Irvine &\u00a0Roberts Vineyards (3) (5) is a\u00a0lovely way to relax and have a\u00a0knowledgeable wine ambassador\u00a0craft an intimate tasting experience,\u00a0paired with artisanal cheeses\u00a0and house-made delicacies.\u00a0irvinerobertsvineyards.com<\/a><\/p>\n

4 p.m.<\/strong> Take a stroll in downtown\u00a0Ashland. Right off the plaza is\u00a0Lithia Park, which celebrated its\u00a0centennial anniversary in 2019.\u00a0This charming gem was designed\u00a0by John McClaren, who also\u00a0designed San Francisco\u2019s Golden\u00a0Gate Park.<\/p>\n

6 p.m.<\/strong> You\u2019re in for a treat at\u00a0Larks Home Kitchen Cuisine, an\u00a0authentic farm-to-table experience\u00a0that celebrates Oregon\u2019s\u00a0bounty with dishes that excite\u00a0and surprise with freshness and\u00a0flavors. Located in downtown\u2019s\u00a0Ashland Springs Hotel, it also has\u00a0a second location at Inn at the\u00a0Commons in Medford.\u00a0larksashland.com<\/a><\/p>\n

7 p.m.<\/strong> Grab a drink at the Wine\u00a0Garden at Lithia Springs Resort,\u00a0which features an excellent\u00a0selection of Southern Oregon\u00a0wines, particularly those from the\u00a0Applegate Valley.<\/p>\n

8 p.m.<\/strong> The Oregon Shakespeare\u00a0Festival is a must-see.\u00a0This legendary company has\u00a0been entertaining theatergoers\u00a0since 1935, and offers up to 11\u00a0different shows each year \u2014 both\u00a0Shakespeare and a mix of classics,\u00a0musicals and world premieres \u2014\u00a0from March through October.\u00a0osfashland.org<\/a><\/p>\n

DAY 2:\u00a0MEDFORD\/APPLEGATE<\/strong><\/p>\n

10 a.m.<\/strong> Just 15 minutes north of\u00a0Ashland is Medford, the heart of\u00a0the Rogue Valley, with easy access\u00a0to Interstate 5 and Rogue Valley\u00a0International-Medford Airport.\u00a0Home of the world-famous Harry\u00a0& David Country Village, it offers\u00a0entertaining and educational\u00a0tours daily. Start your day in\u00a0downtown Medford and experience\u00a0farm-to-fork culinary culture\u00a0with breakfast at Over Easy or\u00a0brunch at the popular Downtown\u00a0Market. downtownmarketco.com<\/a> |\u00a0overeasysouthernoregon.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Medford is home to more than\u00a0half a dozen wineries, including\u00a02Hawk Vineyard & Winery\u00a0(1), whose tasting room pays\u00a0tribute to the grand agricultural\u00a0buildings of yesteryear, exuding\u00a0rustic charm on the site of the\u00a0original farmhouse dating back\u00a0to the 1950s. Also in Medford is\u00a0DANCIN Vineyards (2), a culinary\u00a0and viticulture destination of\u00a0beauty, taste, style, authentic hospitality\u00a0and award-winning Pinot\u00a0Noir and Chardonnay. This estate\u00a0winery has seven unique seating\u00a0areas to enjoy while you drink and\u00a0dine. 2hawk.wine<\/a> | dancin.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Next, it\u2019s on to the Jacksonville\u00a0Wine Trail to taste the small lot\u00a0wines of Quady North, where\u00a0the focus is on vineyard-select\u00a0Viognier, Cabernet Franc and\u00a0Syrah wines that are expressions\u00a0of the climate, soils and people\u00a0who farm them. quadynorth.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Don\u2019t miss Rellik Winery\u2019s\u00a0newly remodeled tasting room in\u00a0Jacksonville. Sip a glass of their\u00a0Three-Eyed Raven Red Blend and\u00a0enjoy a scenic view of the pond\u00a0as well as the 15 adorable alpacas\u00a0and the llama that reside on the\u00a0property! rellikwinery.com<\/a><\/p>\n

12:30 p.m.<\/strong> Make your way to the\u00a0Applegate Wine Trail, where forested\u00a0hillsides surround a valley\u00a0that is fertile and temperate, hosting\u00a0numerous fields of fragrant\u00a0lavender, alongside 19 unique\u00a0wineries producing a diverse array\u00a0of high-quality wines. A working\u00a0ranch since 1858, Plaisance Ranch\u2019s unique tasting room is\u00a0located in the milk refrigeration\u00a0room of the former dairy barn.\u00a0Plaisance is French for \u201cpleasure\u201d\u00a0and it\u2019s indeed a delight to taste\u00a0their wines in this warm and cozy\u00a0atmosphere. plaisanceranch.com<\/a><\/p>\n

2:30 p.m.<\/strong> Wisconsin isn\u2019t the only\u00a0\u201ccheesehead\u201d state. Rogue River\u00a0Blue cheese, made by Rogue\u00a0Creamery, was named the best\u00a0cheese in the world at the 2019\u00a0World Cheese Awards in Italy.\u00a0Stop by the Central Point Artisan\u00a0Corridor to see the cheese production\u00a0room and factory and try\u00a0the solar-powered grilled cheese\u00a0sandwiches, as well as plenty of\u00a0artisan cheese, chocolate and\u00a0charcuterie samples.\u00a0roguecreamery.com<\/a><\/p>\n

3:30 p.m.<\/strong> On your way to see the\u00a0amazing Crater Lake National\u00a0Park (4), meander through the\u00a0Upper Rogue Wine Trails to enjoy\u00a0the unique experience of four\u00a0different wineries, four different\u00a0families, and four different interpretations\u00a0of the grape along with\u00a0beautiful countryside.\u00a0upperroguewinetrail.com<\/a><\/p>\n

7:30 p.m.<\/strong> Now that you\u2019ve worked\u00a0up an appetite, get a taste of Old\u00a0Town Oregon history at Porters\u00a0in downtown Medford, a classic\u00a0American dining experience in\u00a0a historic 1910 landmark train\u00a0depot. porterstrainstation.com<\/a><\/p>\n

During the summer months,\u00a0the Britt Music & Art Festival\u00a0is another great addition to the\u00a0cultural calendar. This naturally\u00a0formed amphitheater, surrounded\u00a0by majestic trees on a beautiful\u00a0hillside estate, sets the stage for\u00a0world-class artists in classical\u00a0music, jazz, blues, folk, bluegrass,\u00a0world, pop and country music.\u00a0brittfest.org<\/a><\/p>\n

10:30 p.m.<\/strong> Feeling thirsty after\u00a0the show? Common Block Brewery\u00a0is a convivial, family-friendly\u00a0taproom that serves 30+ beers,\u00a0wines and ciders on tap, as well\u00a0as a full menu of casual brew pub\u00a0fare. commonblockbrewing.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Rest your weary bones at Inn at\u00a0the Commons. This reimagined\u00a01960s motor inn is conveniently\u00a0located in downtown Medford\u2019s\u00a0vibrant corridor, with numerous\u00a0shops, cafes, restaurants and\u00a0theatres within a short walk.\u00a0innatthecommons.com<\/a><\/p>\n

With so much to taste, sip and\u00a0do, there\u2019s plenty more if you decide\u00a0to stay another night to explore\u00a0more of Southern Oregon\u2019s\u00a0hospitality that makes the Rogue\u00a0Valley a unique wine destination.<\/p>\n

For additional resources, visit\u00a0travelmedford.org<\/a>, travelashland.com<\/a> and southernoregon.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Originally published in the spring\/summer 2020 issue of Touring & Tasting<\/a>. Click here to read this story and more! TT-SP20.digital<\/a><\/p>\n

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