Fans of Oregon wineries expect quality vintages, beautiful views and inviting atmospheres. You’ll find all that and more at many wineries across Southern Oregon, where scrumptious food menus and cozy gathering spots go along with tasting flights. Any time of year, these wineries invite you to pull up a chair, have a nosh and stay awhile.
Rogue Valley Wine Country
The Tuscan architecture, gardens and patio at DANCIN Vineyards near Jacksonville create a warm atmosphere for enjoying their pinot noir and chardonnay. There’s always something wonderful coming out of the kitchen too, whether it’s wood-fired pizza, stuffed mushrooms or items from a seasonal dessert menu that may include semifreddo with chocolate shavings.
In Medford enjoy a glass of RoxyAnn Winery’s dozen or so wines — including claret, pinot gris, cabernet franc or tempranillo — in the Honor Barn, a historic 19th-century barn turned tasting room. Make your own picnic from a selection of salami, prosciutto, freshly baked bread, various dips and locally made cheese.
Take in the lush gardens and Craftsman tasting room at Schmidt Family Vineyards in Grants Pass. Estate-grown albarino, sauvignon blanc, cabernet sauvignon, merlot and malbec pair with caesar salads, flatbread pizzas and cheese platters.
Red Lily Vineyards in Jacksonville keeps things simple by focusing on tempranillo and tempranillo blends, reflecting the owner’s love of this Spanish grape. The charming, barn-like tasting room is surrounded by scenic pasturelands. Sit outside and enjoy their Rogue Creamery cheese platter, homemade soup or grilled panini. Find more info and inspiration for exploring Rogue Valley Wine Country.
Umpqua Valley Wineries
Perched on a working farm complete with 300 acres of vineyards and a 150-acre orchard near Roseburg, Abacela specializes in tempranillos and albarinos. Reserve ahead — especially on weekends — for seated tastings at the tasting room or on the winery’s outdoor plaza to soak up the views over the vineyards. Pair a glass with one of their meat and cheese plates. Leashed pets can enjoy the patio and grounds.
Cooper Ridge Vineyard sits on 25 acres of prime grape-growing terroir over the North Umpqua River, a great spot for sampling estate syrahs and tempranillos. A two-level deck can seat about 70 people, and makes for the perfect place to nosh on Mediterranean plates with hummus and tapenade or a cheese platter with lavender goat cheese from the Willamette Valley. A guest house on-site makes the commute to bed easy.
Situated just west of Roseburg, Melrose Vineyards is well known for its diverse selection of both red and white wines. The menu here lives up to that exceptionalism with savory plates of house-smoked salmon, beef empanadas with chimichurri sauce, and a mouthwatering mac and cheese made with Gruyere, white cheddar and apple-smoked bacon. Enjoy it all in a 120-year-old barn overlooking a meadow and 150 acres of vineyards. Find tips and info about more ways to experience Umpqua Valley wineries during your Southern Oregon adventure.
May is Oregon Wine Month, too, and wineries from all across the state’s 20-plus wine regions — there are almost 1,000 Oregon wineries now — will be celebrating with special deals on flights and pop-up events at local restaurants. Visit the Oregon Wine Board to download touring guides and to get ideas on where to go.
