SOMM the documentary.

SOMM Documentary Trailer 1 from Forgotten Man Films on Vimeo.

This upcoming documentary looks ahh-mazing. Somm chronicles the process of four sommeliers attempting to pass the ever-so-intimidating Master Sommelier exam. It has one of the lowest pass rates in the world and covers everything and anything to do with wine including viticulture, winemaking, history, geography and blind tastings. The four candidates, who have been slaving, I mean, studying for years, say they are truly obsessed, as fellow blogger Joanna Goddard puts it, "you can feel their athlete-like tension on the screen."

This is a side of the wine industry most people never see. What do you think, would you watch this?

May is Oregon Wine Month!

As if you need another reason to drink Oregon wine, Governor Kitzhaber proclaims this May as Oregon Wine Month!

From today's Mail Tribune article by Greg Stiles:

January 19, 2012

Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber has signed a proclamation designating May 2012 as Oregon Wine Month in recognition of the Oregon wine industry's rapid growth, international reputation for quality and important contribution to the state's economy.

Speaking to the annual meeting of the Oregon Winegrowers Association in Salem Wednesday, Kitzhaber said, "The Oregon wine industry is not only a key part of our state's economy — it's an important part of our state identity. In a state where agriculture is our second largest industry, the wine-grape crop is Oregon's leading value-added agricultural segment, contributing $2.7 billion annually to the state's economy."

It has been several decades since Oregon has officially recognized its wine industry.

The Oregon wine industry comprises more than 420 wineries and 850 vineyards throughout the state and represents more than 13,500 jobs.

"We are thrilled that the governor has signed the proclamation declaring May as Oregon Wine Month," said Michael Donovan, managing director of RoxyAnn Winery in Medford and chairman of the Oregon Wine Board.

"This is the perfect month to spotlight the importance of our statewide industry, showcase our outstanding wines and recognize the many talented entrepreneurs and hard-working employees who have built the Oregon wine industry into a treasured asset."

Oregon Wine Month kicks off with a grand tasting of Oregon wines on April 29.

The tasting is open to the public and tickets will go on sale soon.

The tasting of wines from more than 100 Oregon wineries will be held in Portland, and feature wines from across the state.

In addition, participating retailers will conduct promotional campaigns showcasing Oregon wines and offering special pricing.

New Blue Heron Vineyards takes root in Garden Valley

I read this article yesterday from The News-Review and was shocked I hadn't heard anything about this project sooner. Once development is complete, this would be the largest vineyard in the Umpqua Valley. Maybe it is unnecessary, but I always feel so uneasy listening to how people want to make Oregon viticulture more like California. Do you? My two cents is that we should take pride in what makes Oregon grapes challenging to grow (although, it does make it a tough business), because being on the edge is what produces wines of distinction.

And where is all this fruit going?

MICHAEL SULLIVAN / The News-Review

New Blue Heron Vineyards takes root in Garden Valley

RYAN IMONDI

The News-Review

A 3-foot tall grapevine sways in the winter breeze. It's one of 93,750 growing on nearly 800 acres where last spring cattle grazed.

Rows of grapevines now stretch across the land bordered by the South Umpqua River and Garden Valley Road west of Roseburg. 

In the past six months, what promises to be Douglas County's largest vineyard has taken shape. 

Vines have been planted on 150 acres to create Blue Heron Vineyards. Another 200 acres will be planted by June, and there are plans for 200 more acres in the future. 

If fully developed, Blue Heron will be more than twice as large as the county's next biggest vineyard.

The vineyard will represent a $10 million investment, said Bill Henri, who's developing the vineyard for Hal and Vicki Westbrook, co-owners of Douglas County Forest Products.

Efforts to reach the Westbrooks were unsuccessful. 

Henri said he is implementing techniques that he learned in the Napa Valley and is importing “super vines” from California to cultivate a vineyard that will produce commercial quality grapes as soon as September. 

Observers say that the investment is an indication of the Umpqua Valley wine industry's potential. 

“It's going to add to the economic foundation of Douglas County,” said Wayne Parker, owner of nearby Melrose Vineyards. 

Henri has been in the wine industry for 30 years and developed wineries in California, Oregon and Washington. Henri and his crew of 14 full-time workers are planting several types of grapes, including pinot noir, pinot gris, viognier and tempranillo. By June they will have planted 340,000 vines over 350 acres. 

The initial harvests will be sold to winemakers in the region. Henri said that along with planting 200 more acres, Blue Heron may also open its own winery.

Chris Lake, the director at Umpqua Community College's Southern Oregon Wine Institute, said the venture shows that wine producers are willing to invest in the region.

“We think the economic growth in wineries here is in producing good fruit,” he said. “When you see that level of quality and investment by the owner, it's promising.” 

Henri said he is employing methods originally developed in Germany and adopted in the highly competitive Napa Valley. In both places, agricultural land is at a premium. 

In the Napa Valley, an oversaturation of vineyards and high real estate costs drove profit margins down and forced wineries to be more efficient. 

Henri said he knows of no other vineyard in Oregon that's tapped as extensively into the Napa Valley approach. He predicted the tactics will be used more as the Umpqua region develops. 

At the heart of the project are “super vines” grown in a Northern California nursery. Henri said the vines are 20 inches taller than traditional rootstock.

Henri said that the initial cost for the plants is higher, costing $4.75 per vine. This is about $2 more than a traditional vine, or $1,250 for the 625 vines per acre of land. This means that the 350 acres will cost $437,500 more initially.

Henri said the vines will pay for themselves in the long term by becoming profitable sooner and because of lower labor costs. 

The more developed plants require less tending, he said.

“The older style would take a whole year to train them up the stake. We don't have to do that here,” Henri said. 

He estimated that development costs are lower with the “super vine.”

“It looks like you're paying twice as much. When you look at what you're getting, it's not,” he said. 

Before planting, Henri hired Pacific Ag Water Inc., based in Santa Maria, Calif., to survey and map out each row of vines. Using GPS, each row was mapped out geometrically to maximize the space. Henri was able to pinpoint that each acre averages 624.3 vines. 

“Everything lines up. We know exactly how many vines there are,” Henri said. 

Also, a drip irrigation system will use little energy, and each access road has a large turnaround to speed the harvest, he said.

“This project is designed to have a lot done automatically,” he said. “Everything was designed around being efficient.”

• You can reach reporter Ryan Imondi at 541-957-4211 or by email at rimondi@nrtoday.com. 

Cowhorn Spiral 36 named one of "America's Best Undiscovered Wine"

Cowhorn Wines happily announced today that their 2010 Spiral 36 was named one of "America's Best Undiscovered Wine" in the February issue of Food & Wine Magazine.

I doubt it will be "undiscovered" for much longer.

Spiral 36 is a Rhone-style white blend of Viognier, Marsanne, and Roussanne sourced exclusively from the Cowhorn Vineyard in the Applegate Valley. The tasting notes from the website might be the most descriptive I've ever read and deserve an award all their own:

This succulent blend opens with aromas of Golden Delicious apple, lemon and mango. These fruits burst with freshness in the mouth, layered onto a vibrant foundation of baked pear and caramelized golden sugar flavors hinting at subtle oak influence from neutral and one year old French barrels. The feeling of the wine is raw silk unrolling across the palate like a wave until the flavors volatilize back into aromas that linger gently on the palate. The rich, complex personality of Spiral 36 was achieved without a secondary fermentation, and comes with refreshingly moderate alcohol. 

Although sold out at the winery, you can still find a few bottles floating around local retail shelves.

Reader Survey... And the winners are...

I'd like to thank everyone who voted in the first annual Reader Survey! The intentions for hosting the survey is to hear what Southern Oregon wines the readers thought were the most exciting from the past year  and which winery had most impressed them. By the turnout of votes, and record number of traffic to the blog post, it is easy to say this was a great year for Southern Oregon wine. I'm pleased to present this list.

2011 Red Wine of the Year

1. 2008 Del Rio Vineyards Claret

2. 2007 Abacela Reserve Tempranillo

3. 2005 Abacela Paramour

4. 2008 Troon Vineyard Zinfandel Reserve

5. 2008 Folin Cellars Estate Tempranillo

2011 White Wine of the Year

1. 2010 Abacela Albarino 

2. 2010 Del Rio Vineyards Pinot Gris

3. 2010 Troon Vineyard Dry Riesling

4. 2010 Reustle-Prayer Rock Gruner Veltliner

5. 2010 Cowhorn Winery & Vineyard Spiral 36

Winery of the Year

1. Abacela

2. Del Rio Vineyards

3. Troon Vineyard

4. Cowhorn Winery & Vineyard

5. Red Lily Vineyard & Quady North Wines

Congratulations to all!

2011 Reader Survey! Vote Now.

Voting for the 2011 Reader Survey is now open! Vote for any three wines in each of the red and white/rosé category as well as selecting your top pick for winery of the year. Readers may only vote one time. Voting will be open through Friday, December 23rd at 9 pm with results posted shortly after.

A few words about the nominees - these wines were selected by browsing through wine competitions, wine reviews, cellartracker.com and from personal tasting. There are all Southern Oregon producers using Southern Oregon grapes. I eliminated non-vintage wines and wines from back vintages. If you do not see your favorite on the list, please post it to the comment section and I will manually add it (no vintages prior to 2006).

Let us recognize the amazing efforts of 2011! Happy voting!

Create your free online surveys with SurveyMonkey, the world's leading questionnaire tool.

This Day in History Prohibition was Repealed

On December 5, 1933 Prohibition was repealed. 

I hope your celebrating with a glass of wine this evening.

But, if you missed it, there is always tomorrow.

Cheers!

SF Chronicle's Top 100 Wines of 2011 - Great Showing from Pacific Northwest

Congratulations to our northerly Pacific Northwest neighbors for their great representation on the San Francisco Chronicle's Top 100 wines of 2011!

The publication even noted:


"Certainly we have great bottles here from bigger names. But once again, many of the best wines to be found on the West Coast are from wineries that work on a small scale.


This shift in scope makes perfect sense. There is always the opportunity to make great wine on a big scale; the beauty of the Louis Martini Sonoma County Cabernet or Domaine Chandon's Brut Classic are perfect evidence. But the attention to detail you get on a small scale is an engine for greatness."

The local wines that earned the honor:

2009 Bergstrom Old Stones Willamette Valley Chardonnay ($30, 13.9%): Josh Bergstrom insists that Old Stones is for early drinking, but there's extraordinary depth here. Ripe and intense, this adds deep, creamy tones to bright apple, Meyer lemon and apricot flavors, with a wild-mushroom accent. A quintessence of Oregon Chardonnay.


2009 Evening Land Vineyards La Source Seven Springs Vineyard Eola-Amity Hills Chardonnay ($60, 13%): Hollywood producer Mark Tarlov's new project has attracted a star roster of talent, including Larry Stone (Rubicon) and consultant Dominique Lafon. But his Oregon winemaker, Isabelle Meunier, deserves credit for evoking the best of a lauded Willamette Valley property. There is a laser focus to the flavors in this filigreed effort, as Meunier has found a nervy power to the fruit. It unfolds slowly, picking up flesh from beautiful flavors of lemon peel, dried honeycomb and green apple. Without an ounce of fat, this is Chardonnay expressed as pure sinew.


2009 Stoller Vineyards SV Estate Dundee Hills Chardonnay ($28, 14%): Bill Stoller's site, at the hands of winemaker Melissa Burr, remains a top spot for not only Pinot but Chardonnay, too. This latest is concentrated and stylish, with lots of pastry cream and nuanced oak giving richness to the energetic lemon pulp, peach and Anjou pear.


2010 Pacific Rim Columbia Valley Riesling ($10, 10.5%): Under the eye of winemaker Nicolas Quillé, this Randall Grahm-founded label is proving the potential of Washington Riesling. Don't let the faux-exotic package and price deceive you; this blend from top Columbia Valley sites puts Pacific Rim fully back in the groove. Full of wet river stone, deep nectarine and green apple, it shows the magnitude of both fruit and acid that most Rieslings at this price lack.


2009 Amavi Walla Walla Valley Syrah ($29, 14.1% alcohol): Jean-Francois Pellet's value-minded label again tapped into the best of Walla Walla, with fruit from Seven Hills, Pepper Bridge and Les Collines in this prime example of Washington's cellar-worthy bounty. Steely and pepper riven, with a classic tarry hint, dried thyme and pretty plum fruit. A lot of chew to the structure, so give it a couple of years to truly blossom.


2009 Anam Cara Nicholas Estate Chehalem Mountains Pinot Noir ($32, 13.6%): For yet another vintage, Sheila and Nick Nicholas show the best of Oregon's small-scale charms with their Newberg estate bottling, aged mostly in older oak. There's a classic minty, cool profile here, with camphor, bayberry and a wonderful floral accent. Almost ethereal in its flavors, but with plenty of tannic stuffing.


2009 Arterberry Maresh Dundee Hills Pinot Noir ($25, 13%): A stunning value from Oregon as Jim Arterberry Maresh shows off the best of both his family's vineyard and the red soils of Dundee Hills in a basic bottling that over-delivers. There's gorgeous polish and delicacy that reveals '09's subtler side, with a spicy accent leading to soy and tangerine, and rewarding cherry flavors.


2009 J.K. Carriere Provocateur Willamette Valley Pinot Noir ($24, 13.5%): There's something to be said for affordable, early drinking Pinot, and Oregon native Jim Prosser has delivered a beauty, full of tension and freshness. A coppery mineral accent gives depth to chewy plum skin and watermelon. It's proof that immediate-gratification Pinot can still be rewarding when made with care.


2009 Soter North Valley Willamette Valley Pinot Noir ($30, 13.8%): Tony Soter made his name farther south, with his Carneros-based Etude. But his Oregon project is coming into its own. He and winemaker James Cahill finessed a tricky vintage with a mouthwatering, darker-hued release. Think of black cherry juice tinged with fenugreek and burnt sage.


2009 Winderlea Dundee Hills Vineyards Dundee Hills Pinot Noir ($38, 14.5%): The parcel once known as the Goldschmidt vineyard, planted in 1974 and owned by an Oregon governor, has come into the hands of Bill Sweat and Donna Morris. Their new label is bringing a polished yet still subtle side to the Willamette, and this blend meshes a creaminess with loam-edged cherry fruit and dried thyme aromas. It's a textural masterpiece, with age-worthy structure that never tastes too tannic.


2008 Andrew Will Two Blondes Vineyard Yakima Valley Red Wine ($55, 14.5% alcohol): For all we know about Chris Camarda's access to top Washington vineyards, his younger-vine blend from this site outside Yakima, built around Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, remains dramatically brilliant. The Two Blondes signature is so clear: sanguine and pimenton-edged, full of cherry fruit, blueberry, leather and bark.


2009 Barnard Griffin Columbia Valley Merlot ($17, 13.7%): Rob Griffin carries a banner for small, affordable labels, and if Merlot is struggling, he's making a solid case from the Northwest. Hailing from top-notch vineyards like Lonesome Spring Ranch and Conner Lee Vineyard, this offers black tea and plum to accent robust oak, with a pretty lilt to the fruit and raspberry highlights. It's real, honest Merlot.


2009 Buty Columbia Valley Merlot-Cabernet Franc ($40, 14.1%): Caleb and Nina Foster give these two polarizing varieties a great name together. Their primary source here is the Conner Lee vineyard along the balmy Wahluke Slope, where Merlot thrives. Packed with fragrant berry and graphite, and paprika and fennel around the edges, this is a seamless and heady expression of what Washington does best.


2008 Cadence Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Red Mountain Red Wine ($45, 14.4%): Ben Smith and Gaye McNutt continue their run of brilliant Bordeaux-inspired efforts from their tiny Seattle label. Jim Holmes' Ciel du Cheval site always reveals silky tannins, and the high dose of Cabernet Franc in the blend meshes that with a fresh sea-foam note and smokier cumin spice. Warm and packed with bright red and blue fruit, and a deep root-like accent, this will keep getting better over the next decade.


2008 Corison Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($70, 13.8%): In a tricky vintage, Cathy Corison's less-is-more approach is a pleasure to behold. As always, her harvest dates are several weeks before her neighbors', in this case in early September. The classic graphite, sandalwood, green olive and lively cherry and plum fruit keep evolving and deepening, so keep this bottle for a decade or more. Stunningly firm and aromatic.


2008 Gramercy Cellars Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($45, 13.9%): Not to dismiss his Rhone-inspired efforts, but Master Sommelier Greg Harrington has nailed the quintessence of Washington Cabernet from a variety of vineyard sources. Polished, oak-tinged and masterful, this is a gorgeous dose of vibrant blue fruit, edged with a bright mineral accent and refined tannins that give it aging power.


2008 Januik Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($30, 14.4%): Longtime Northwest icon Mike Januik taps some of the top spots in Columbia Valley, including Champoux and Klipsun, for a Cabernet that's stunning for the price. Alluring and graphite-edged, with tea, clove, black olive and heady ripe cherry fruit.

To view the complete list, visit here. 


What were your favorite wines of the year? 


Cheers! And drink up (locally)!

Jefferson Public Radio 31st Annual Wine Tasting

Jefferson Public Radio's 31st Annual Wine Tasting takes place on Thursday, December 8, 2011 from 6-9 pm at the Ashland Springs Hotel. This State of Jefferson holiday tradition features over 35 Oregon wineries pouring premium vintages as well as fine restaurants and caterers serving delectable hors d'oeuvres and confections. The evening features a Not-So-Silent Auction hosted by Geoffrey Riley and live music by Pachanga! and The Charles Guy/Crystal Reeves Group, playing acoustic fusion with flamenco flair. Ticket prices are $45 for members and $50 for non-members and are available online or at the Ashland or Medford Food Co-ops.

WINERIES POURING                                                      

A to Z Wineworks
Abacela
Agate Ridge Vineyard
Cliff Creek Cellars
Crater Lake Cellars
Cuckoo's Nest Cellars
Del Rio Vineyards
Devitt Winery
Domaine Serene
Edenvale Winery
Eliana Wine
Elk Cove Vineyards
Foris Vineyards Winery
Girardet
Grizzly Peak Winery
Henry Estate Winery
John Michael Champagne Cellars
Ledger David Cellars
Merrill Cellars
Paschal Winery
Pebblestone Cellars
Quady North
Rex Hill
Rocky Knoll
Rosella's Vineyard & Winery
RoxyAnn Winery
Schmidt Family Vineyards
Serra Vineyards
South Stage Cellars
Tenuta Winery
Trium
Troon Vineyard
Velocity Cellars
Weisingers of Ashland
Wooldridge Creek 
 

FOOD PROVIDERS 
Arbor House
The Cupcake Daily
Elements Tapas Bar
Gary West Artisan Smoked Meats 
Kaleidoscope Pizzeria & Pub
La Baguette
Larks Home Kitchen Cuisine
Lillie Belle Farms
Noble Coffee Roasters
Peerless Restaurant
Rogue Creamery 
Smithfields Restaurant & Bar
Standing Stone Brewing Company
 

Accommodations: Ashland Springs Hotel has kindly offered a greatly reduced rate for JPR Wine Tasting guests. The rate is as follows: One-Night Rate: $89.00 - includes overnight stay / double occupancy with light breakfast, discount to Waterstone Spa & Salon and hotel parking included in the price. For reservations, contact Ashland Springs Hotel, 541-488-1700. This special rate is under the name JPR Block of Rooms.

Wine Tasting Through Oregon? There's an App For That!

The Oregon Wine Board on Monday launched a new directory to help consumers locate more than 200 Oregon wineries on their mobile phones.

The Oregon Wine Map, available for free, also includes maps to tasting rooms, hours of operation, contact information and turn-by-turn directions.

The map is being released to coincide with the Thanksgiving Weekend in Wine Country events, when most of the state’s wineries open for tastings.

The program was developed by Portland-based LynkSnap, a developer of custom QR codes and mobile websites for the wine industry. The company made similar programs for the Walla Walla Valley Wine Association and the Willamette Valley Wineries Association.

The wine map also serves as a guide to the more than 60 Oregon restaurants to earn “Super Cellars” awards from the Oregon Wine Press. The awards recognize restaurants that have distinguished themselves in the selection of Oregon wine they offer customers.

The program can be accessed at www.oregonwinemap.org, which directs users to a mobile site. According to a wine board news release, the directory can be saved to a phone's home screen where it will create an Oregon Wine icon.

Nearly Sold Out! Last Chance for Tickets to Applegate UnCorked!

As of today 379 tickets have been sold to Applegate Valley's Fall UnCorked Barrel Tour! This is a record number for the bi-annual event and to keep it a great experience for all they will be capping the tickets at 420. Don't miss your chance at tasting an unreleased barrel sample and wine and food pairing at each of the 17 wineries of the Applegate Valley.

November 20th 11 am - 5 pm

For tickets visit www.applegatewinetrail.com

Here is the latest barrel tastings and wine & food pairing list from the wineries:

Academy of Wine

Barrel Tasting: 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon

Wine & Food Pairing: 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon with Oregonzola-infused lamb shanks over mash potatoes

Bridgeview Winery

Barrel Tasting: 2010 Tempranillo

Wine & Food Pairing: 2009 Pinot Noir with Cold-Cured Lox and Dill

Cricket Hill Winery

Barrel Tasting: 2008 Merlot

Wine & Food Pairing: 2007 Bordeaux Blend with Vegetarian Polenta

Cowhorn Vineyard

Barrel Tasting: 2010 Spiral 36

Wine & Food Pairing: 2008 Syrah with Herb-Crusted Yam Coulis on a Crostini

Devitt Winey

2006 Steelhead Run Merlot

Fiasco Winery

Barrel Tasting: 2009 Syrah

Wine & Food Pairing: Prosecco-style White with Homemade Butternut Squash Bisque

Fly High/LongSword Vineyard

Barrel Tasting: 2009 Dolcetto

Wine & Food Pairing: 2010 Viognier

John Michael Champagne Cellars

Wine & Food Pairing: Sparkling Wine with Cranberry-Mango Salsa

Plaisance Ranch

Barrel Tasting: 2010 Syrah

Food Pairing: Chili

Red Lily Vineyards

Barrel Tasting: 2010 Tempranillo

Rosella's Winery

Barrel Sample: 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon

Wine & Food Pairing: 2008 Merlot with selection from Pomodori's Restaurant

Schmidt Family Vineyards

Barrel Sample: 2010 Cabernet Franc

Serra Vineyards

Barrel Tasting: 2009 Pinot Noir

Wine & Food Pairing: 2008 Pinot Noir 

Soloro Vineyard

Barrel Tasting: 2009 Syrah

Wine & Food Pairing: 2007 Syrah with Chicken Cacciatore

Troon Vineyard

Barrel Tasting: 2010 Chardonnay

Wine & Food Pairing: 2008 Petite Sirah with Thanksgiving Foccacia stuffed with Sweet Potato Butter, Goat Cheese & Figs

Wooldridge Creek Winery

Barrel Tasting: 2010 Zinfandel

Valley View Winery

Southern Oregon Grand Tasting in Portland this Sunday!

You are invited to enjoy an exciting array of Southern Oregon wines in Portland. On November 13th, Southern Oregon is bringing the best it has to offer from Albarino to Zinfandel to the Portland Art Museum for one memorable evening of wine. 

Tickets are $39 and get you a logo glass, unlimited tastes from over 26 producers and appetizers. Purchase your tickets online at www.sorwa.org.

Are you part of the wine industry? Then you qualify for a discounted ticket price of just $25. Please email regina.vacarri@gmail.com to claim. 

We hope to celebrate with you then!

Thanksgiving Weekend in Southern Oregon Wine Country!

The Oregon Wine Press published a comprehensive guide to Thanksgiving Weekend in Oregon Wine Country. Thanksgiving Weekend has become one of the busiest weekend for wine tastings across the state with many wineries hosting fabulous events, tasting special or reserve wines and offering significant deals. Here is the segment featuring Southern Oregon sorted by city.

Ashland

EdenVale (at Enoteca) Nov. 25–27 (noon to 5 p.m.) Taste holiday appetizers paired with EdenVale wines. Special discounts and gift baskets made from local products. Perfect getaway for holiday house guests and friends. Fee: $10.

17 N. Main Street, Ashland
541-512-2955 x2
www.edenvalleyorchards.com

Bonanza

12 Ranch Wines Nov. 25–26 (noon to 5 p.m.) Join us for a Thanksgiving Weekend tasting.

4550 Burgdorf Road, Bonanza
541-545-1204
www.12ranchwines.com

Cave Junction

Bridgeview Vineyard & Winery                       
Nov. 25–27 (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.) Join us for a Thanksgiving Weekend open house.

4210 Holland Loop Rd., Cave Junction
541-592-4688
www.bridgeviewwine.com     

Eagle Point

Agate Ridge Vineyard Nov. 25 (11 a.m. to 8 p.m.); Nov. 26–27 (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.) All 19 current release wines will be available for tasting. Live music. Receive 25 percent off purchases of four bottles or more. Spaghetti, salad and bread for $7; with wine for $10. Holiday shopping, great deals, fantastic hospitality and much more. Fee: $5; $10 (wine tasting with logo glass). 

1098 Nick Young Road, Eagle Point
541-830-3050
www.agateridgevineyard.com

Elkton

Bradley Vineyards Nov. 25–27 (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.) Join us for appetizers, wine and gifts for the holidays. 

1000 Azalea Drive, Elkton          
541-584-2888
www.bradleyvineyards.com   

Brandborg Winery Nov. 25–27 (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.) Join us for a Thanksgiving Weekend open house. We will be pouring our handcrafted Pinot Noir, Riesling and more. Fee: $5 (includes seasonal appetizers; free to ORCA Club members). 

345 First Street, Elkton
541-584-2870
www.brandborgwine.com

River's Edge Winery Nov. 25–27 (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.) We’ll have light appetizers, special discounts and a 2009 and 2010 preview.

1395 River Drive, Elkton 
541-584-2357
www.riversedgewinery.com

Gold Hill

Cliff Creek Cellars Nov. 25–27 (noon to 5 p.m.) Please join us Thanksgiving Weekend for 2004 Claret with pairings in Carlton and at the vineyard.

1015 McDonough Road, Gold Hill
541-855-5330
www.cliffcreek.com

Del Rio Vineyards & Winery Nov. 25–27 (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.) On Friday, Black Friday Case Sale. Get your hands on a case of Del Rio for only $100. One of each of our current releases will be wrapped in black paper. Mystery and excitement rule as you blindly select your case. Limited number of cases available. Doors open at 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, celebrate the holiday and the fruits of our labor with complimentary wine tasting, free shipping, holiday spiced wine samples and delicious hors d’oeuvres. 

52 N. River Road, Gold Hill
541-855-2062
www.delriovineyards.com

Grants Pass

Troon Vineyard Nov. 25–27 (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.) Celebrate Thanksgiving Weekend with Troon Vineyard. Taste wine and food pairings from Chef Tim Keller, listen to live music by Rachael Sandeen, 1 to 4 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and receive a personalized “Cellar Pass” from Chris Martin. Bring two cans of non-perishable food items for the Applegate Valley Food Pantry, and we will gladly waive your tasting fee.

1475 Kubli Road, Grants Pass
541-846-9900
www.troonvineyard.com     

Jacksonville

Cricket Hill Vineyard & Winery Nov. 25–27 (noon to 5 p.m.) Join us for a Thanksgiving Weekend wine tasting. Fee: $3.

2131 Little Applegate Road, Jacksonville
541-899-7264
www.crickethillwinery.com

Devitt Winery Nov. 25–27 (noon to 5 p.m.) Join us for a Thanksgiving Weekend wine tasting. We are a family-owned and -operated winery in the heart of the Applegate Valley. We are dedicated to producing premium varietal from estate and local grapes.

11412 Highway 238, Jacksonville
541-899-7511
www.devittwinery.com

Longsword Vineyard Nov. 25–27 (noon to 5 p.m.) Join us for the Thanksgiving Weekend to taste our wines.

8555 Highway 238, Jacksonville
541-899-1746
www.longswordvineyard.com

Medford

EdenVale Winery Nov. 25–26 (noon to 5 p.m.) Join us for our annual Voorhies Mansion Open House. Taste holiday appetizers paired with EdenVale wines. Special discounts and gift baskets made from local products. Perfect getaway for holiday house guests and friends. Fee: $10 (includes tasting and holiday food appetizers).

2310 Voorhies Road, Medford
541-512-2955 x2
www.edenvalleyorchards.com

Pebblestone Cellars Nov. 25–27 (noon to 5 p.m.) Join us for a tasting “after the Turkey.” Fee: $5.

1642 Camp Baker Road, Medford
541-512-1655
www.pebblestonecellars.com

RoxyAnn Winery Nov. 26–27 (11 a.m. to 6 p.m.) Visit our historic tasting room over Thanksgiving Weekend to taste some of Southern Oregon’s finest wines. While you’re here, stock up on gifts for the holidays. Fee: $5 (five-plus wines); $3 (three wines). Wine club members receive free tastings plus two guests.

3285 Hillcrest Road, Medford 
541-776-2315
www.roxyann.com

Oakland

Sienna Ridge Estate Wine Nov. 25–27 (noon to 6 p.m.) We’ll have turkey with all trimmings and music on Saturday, from 1 to 3 p.m. Our historic wine room is a lovely setting to enjoy our exceptional wines. 

1876 John Long Road, Oakland 
541-849-3300
www.siennaridgeestate.com

Roseburg

Abacela Nov. 25–27 (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.) Join us for our annual Thanksgiving Weekend Open House at our new Vine & Wine Center. Fee: $15 (includes wine tasting, logo glass, live music, tapas).

12500 Lookingglass Road, Roseburg
541-679-6642
www.abacela.com

Delfino Vineyards Nov. 25–26 (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.) Holiday gift baskets and wine discounts. Live music, 1 to 4 p.m. (The Zephyr Duo on Friday; Dylan James on Saturday). Fee includes wine tasting, live music, barrel samples, hayrides.

3829 Colonial Road, Roseburg
541-673-7575
www.delfinowines.com

Girardet Winery Nov. 25–27 (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.) Taste our new releases. Wine and food pairings. Live music on Friday and Saturday. Take advantage of 20-percent case discounts; members save 25 percent. RV, pet and handicapped friendly.

895 Reston Road, Roseburg
541-679-7252
www.girardetwine.com

HillCrest Winery & Distillery Nov. 25–27 (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.) Join us for an open house and new release tasting. All of these wines are not sold in stores. Artisan production from the Oregon’s oldest estate winery. Fee: $5 (applied to bottle or case purchase).

240 Vineyard Lane, Roseburg
541-673-3709
www.hillcrestvineyard.com

Melrose Vineyards Nov. 25–26 (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.) Join us for a Thanksgiving Winery open house. Fee: $10 (includes entry, logo glass, wine and food pairings, music).

885 Melqua Road, Roseburg
541-672-6080
www.melrosevineyards.com

Spangler Vineyards Nov. 25–27 (11 a.m. to 6 p.m.) Join us for a Thanksgiving Weekend open house at our Roseburg winery. No fee. A $5 reserve flight available, which includes light snacks.

491 Winery Lane, Roseburg
541-679-9654
www.spanglervineyards.com

Shady Cove

Crater Lake Cellars Nov. 25–27 (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.) Escape to the Upper Rogue Region to taste some wine and enjoy the shops. Join us. 

21882 Highway 62, Shady Cove 
541-878-4200
www.craterlakecellars.com

Winston

Wild Rose Vineyard Nov. 25–27 (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.) Enjoy Thanksgiving Weekend with us. No fee.

375 Porter Creek Road, Winston
541-580-5488
www.wildrosevineyard.com