Celebrate Oregon Wine Month
Beyond the rugged mountains, rollings vineyards, and lush river valleys of Southern Oregon, Grants Pass offers something unique for wine lovers—two distinct wine regions. While many might associate Oregon wine country with the Willamette Valley, Southern Oregon is an innovative and versatile region gaining world-wide attention in recent years. Not only has it been recognized as 1 of 5 of the most important wine regions in the world by Wine Enthusiast Magazine, it’s also the home of the first winery to release wines with the Regenerative Organic Certified Gold label.
Every May, Oregon celebrates its unique wine culture and throughout Grants Pass and its surrounding communities, over 20 wineries and tasting rooms are offering special events and promotions. Plan a wine lovers escape to Grants Pass and soak in world-class wine and Southern Oregon sunshine.
A Wine Region That’s Aged Well
Southern Oregon’s wine roots run deep, in fact, this region spawned Oregon’s wine industry. Beginning in the 1840s, early pioneers who made the trek West along the Oregon Trail planted roots in the newly established territory, and soon afterward, the region’s first grapes. One of these early settlers was Peter Britt, a Swiss photographer who left the east coast in search of gold in Southern Oregon and who’d later become Oregon’s first commercial wine producer. Britt began growing grapes in the mid-1800s and established Valley View Winery, Oregon’s first official winery, near present-day Jacksonville. Since those early days, dozens of wineries and tasting rooms have popped up throughout the Applegate and Illinois Valleys and the number is growing rapidly!
It’s the Climate!
Southern Oregon would not be the diverse grape-growing region it is today without the help from Mother Nature. Its remarkable array of grape varieties and 7-month growing season can be directly attributed to the unique climate and geology of the region. From a climate perspective, the Southern Oregon AVA (American Viticultural area) offers the most versatile growing conditions in the state, and even the country. Much of this can be credited to the Klamath, Coastal, and Cascade mountain ranges that provide warm Mediterranean to cool maritime climates in the valleys. The crisp coastal air that’s funneled inland through the river basins creates varying temperature differences and weather patterns between the Rogue, Applegate and Illinois Valleys. These moderating influences result in drastic diurnal shifts, as the cool nighttime temperatures prevent the vines from growing and ripening until mid morning. This process slows the development of tannins and sugars, while preserving the grape’s acid balance and decelerates the ripening season for greater flavor development.
Follow the Applegate Valley Wine Trail
May is the perfect time to experience Southern Oregon’s wine country, as local vineyards and tasting rooms hold special events for Oregon Wine Month and Mothers day. In the Applegate Valley, plan a day of wine tasting during the Spring Uncorked Barrel Tour happening Saturday May 20th from 11am-4pm. Throughout the event, take a self-guided tour to 17 different wineries where they’ll be pairing wines with appetizers and offering educational opportunities about the craft of winemaking. Tickets are $59 per/person and Uncorked guests will also enjoy being Wine Club members for a day with 15% OFF all Applegate Wine Trail wines.
Drop by Apricity Vineyard, the nearest vineyard and tasting room to downtown Grants Pass. During the month of May, they’ll be holding special events like “First Friday Wine and Play”, “Mothers Day Sunday Funday” with live music, food, and a wine and mini cupcake flight, and a wine-themed “Paint and Sip”.
Vista 222 will be celebrating Mothers day with a weekend jammed-pack with events, including Saturday May 13th’s “All About Mama’s Day” Pop-Up vendor fair featuring nearly 30 local makers, wine, live music, and food from 10am-4pm. On Sunday, they are hosting an unforgettable evening of estate wine, farm-to-fork food, and a Mothers day concert by Andy Thorn and Ross James. Doors open at 4:30pm and the concert starts at 6pm. $27 in advanced, $32 at the door while kids 12 and under free.
Plan an exciting family-friendly weekend of wine and kites at LongSword Vineyard’s 7th Annual Mother’s Day Kite Festival on May 13th & 14th. Celebrate Mom by bringing her out for one (or two!) days of kite flying, live music by the Charles Guy Trio, food trucks, face-painting, crafts, and LongSword wine. Although they will have some kites available to fly, they encourage guests to BYOK. Ticket prices vary.
Enjoy Mothers Day along the banks of the Applegate River at Red Lily Vineyard’s annual Mothers Day Festival on Sunday May 14th. The festivities include live performances by Adam Gabriel and Fogline, and food trucks; Peruvian Point, CABA Empanadas, The Food Lab, and Kdelicious. Tickets are $20 per person or $15 for wine club members.
Discover Illinois Valley Wineries
Situated in the Illinois Valley and half way between the coast and Grants Pass, Augustino Estate is unlike any other tasting room in Southern Oregon. Their 1500sf Treehouse tasting room offers guests a magical location to sip wine while enjoying the views of the surrounding Siskiyou Mountains and the rushing creek below. Some of their signature wines include syrah, tempranillo, and pinot noir. Augustino’s second location, the Big Red Barn can be found in Applegate Valley.
Visit one of Oregon’s oldest wineries, Foris Vineyards, established in 1974. The vineyard, which spans over 2oo planted acres near Cave Junction boasts Alsace varietal white wines and pinot noir. While there, soak in the views of the surrounding Siskiyou Mountains and plan a trip to the neighboring Oregon Caves National Monument.
If you love art and natural beauty, make sure to visit Bridgeview Vineyards and Winery, nestled in the heart of the Illinois Valley. For 40 years, this estate winery near Cave Junction has been producing cooler climate varietals like Gewürztraminer, Riesling, Pinot, and Chardonnay. They recently reopened their newly renovated tasting room and art gallery which features Guild Member Artists. Additionally, the winery in conjunction with the Southern Oregon Guild holds regular painting classes alongside their gardens and ponds. For those interested in staying the night, they offer a winery suite above the tasting room that overlooks the vineyard and ponds.
Downtown Grants Pass
The 2023 Spring Wine Stroll is taking place in downtown Grants Pass Saturday, May 13th from 2-6pm. Hosted by the Chamber of Commerce, for over 20 years, this premiere wine event takes guests through the Historic District, as participants sample amazing wine and food at numerous businesses. The Mothers Day Weekend event is the perfect opportunity to score Mom a gift and enjoy drinks, food, and shopping with friends. Check-in is at Elegance Boutique, 311 SE 6th Street and Wildlife Images and will be offering free trolley service along the stroll route.
Where to Stay
For those wanting to stay in the heart of Applegate Valley Wine Country, plan a getaway at The Lindsay Lodge, formerly known as the Applegate Lodge. Located along the banks of the scenic Applegate River, the newly acquired lodge and restaurant is named for pioneer, Lindsay Applegate who blazed the Applegate Trail from the Willamette Valley to the Humboldt River. Located within minutes of nearly a dozen wineries and tasting rooms, the lodge offers casual and fine dining, a full bar, patio seating, and balcony rooms overlooking the river.
For a weekend including night life, book a stay at the Redwood Hyperion Suites in downtown Grants Pass. Located within walking distance of bars, eateries, and shops, Redwood Hyperion Suites is both pet and kid-friendly and offers access to it’s pool and outdoor hot tub.
