Sip Named one of USA Today's Top Wine Regions in 2025, the 1,700-square-mile Rogue Valley AVA stands out for its striking natural beauty and remarkable variety of wine grapes in Southern Oregon. In the foothills east of Ashland, Irvine & Roberts Vineyards pours complex Pinot noir, Chardonnay and acclaimed bubbly in a tasting room with glorious vistas. Medford’s Padigan (formerly 2Hawk) earns kudos for its elegantly rustic tasting room and highly rated Viognier and Tempranillo. Stroll amid the lush gardens at DANCIN Vineyards, where you can pair creative pizzas with a glass of oak-kissed Chardonnay. Continue west through Jacksonville into the Applegate Valley AVA, dropping by the pup-friendly patio at Red Lily Vineyards, whose gorgeously landscaped grounds flank the gently flowing Applegate River. Spanning 60 acres, Schultz Glory Oaks focuses on environmentally conscious land stewardship, including South African Boer goats that help manage the spread of invasive blackberry brambles. Tempranillo is a star grape, used in classic reds as well as a sparkling rosé and a balanced dessert wine. On the rolling grounds of Wooldridge Creek Winery & Creamery, nibble on house-made cheeses paired with Zinfandel or dry rose. In the Upper Rogue’s Gold Hill area, alluring spots include Del Rio Vineyards, a 530-acre estate and state-of-the-art winery that produces a dozen grape varieties, and verdant Cliff Creek Cellars’ Vineyard Tasting Room, which consistently garners stellar ratings for its aromatic Bordeaux-style wines. WINE TRAILS Upper Rogue Wine Trail Made up of six superb winemakers stretching along rural Highway 234 from Gold Hill to Eagle Rock, in the hilly north end of the region, this picturesque trail leads to some fantastic discoveries, including the airy terrace of Kriselle Cellars and the tree-shaded terrace of Sams Creek Cellars. Take a break from tasting to hike the striking Upper and Lower Table Rock geological formations. upperroguewine.com Keep exploring at roguevalleywinecountry.com Oregon Shakespeare Festival Red Lily Vineyards Eat Start the morning with a hearty breakfast at Ma Mosa’s in Grants Pass or Over Easy in Medford. Then follow the Rogue Valley Food Trail, whose more than 50 stops include Applegate River Lavender Farm and Whistling Duck Farm, with its well-stocked gourmet and produce shop. You can also score picnic supplies at Central Point’s legendary dairy, Rogue Creamery, and neighboring Coquette Bakery. Next door at Ryan Rose Wine’s tasting room, sample the complex Malbec and Grenache of Rob Folin, the head winemaker at Ashland’s Belle Fiore Estate Winery. Order flights of Oregon wine and tasty bites at inviting wine bars like Partake Shop, Lounge & Dine in Grants Pass and new Good Juice Wine Shop in Ashland. For local cider, try Blossom Barn Cidery in Applegate Valley and Legend NW Cider Company Taproom in Talent. Sophisticated dinner options with notable wine selections include Gogi’s Restaurant in Jacksonville and Osteria La Briccola and MÄS in Ashland. Play The Rogue Valley makes an ideal base for day trips to the mesmerizing scenery of Crater Lake National Park and the underground calcite formations of Oregon Caves National Monument & Preserve. In Grants Pass, the state’s self-proclaimed hub of whitewater rafting, companies like Hellgate Jetboat Excursions and Morrisons Rogue Wilderness Adventures lead thrilling excursions on the Rogue River. Historic Jacksonville’s prestigious Britt Music & Arts Festival takes place over three months each summer in an outdoor amphitheater. Home of the renowned Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Ashland welcomes visitors to see the flower gardens and a weekend artisans market in 93-acre Lithia Park, not to mention viewing the superb collections at the Schneider Museum of Art. Stay Convenient to Applegate Valley wineries, consider the romantic Magnolia Hotel and TouVelle House Bed & Breakfast in downtown Jacksonville, or the rustic-chic Lindsay Lodge & Restaurant on the Applegate River. Inviting options in the Upper Rogue Valley include the Weasku Inn, a 1920s former fishing lodge with well-appointed rooms and cabins, and the modern chalets at the Resort at Eagle Point Golf Club. With a cool midcentury-modern vibe, the Ashland Hills Hotel & Suites offers a slew of resort amenities, including a pool and both tennis and pickleball courts. 40 OREGON WINE TOURING GUIDE
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