Rogue Valley Wineries and Vineyards
Welcome to Oregon's Rogue Valley region. The Rogue Valley produces world-class wine.
Surrounded by forested mountains and rivers. The Rogue Valley has the micro-climates
necessary for a world-class viticultural district. This is due to the Illinois and Applegate
valleys of Josephine and Jackson counties. The vineyards thrive on the laced hillsides of
Ashland and the sun-soaked valleys of the Rogue.
The Rogue Valley Region of Southern Oregon has three distinct subregions for grapes:
the Rogue River subregion along Interstate 5 from Ashland to Grants Pass, the growing area
of the state with the steepest elevation; the westernmost Illinois Valley, at a high elevation
and more heavily influenced by the marine climate of the Pacific Ocean; the smaller Applegate
Valley, locus for part of the Southern route of the Oregon Trail, further inland and sheltered
from Pacific marine air. The Applegate Valley region was approved as an official American
Viticultural Area (AVA) in December 2000.
The Rogue Valley is the most elevated, warm and dry wine growing region in Oregon.
Chardonnay, Riesling, Gewurztraminer, and Pinot gris are grown in all parts of the Rogue.
The inland subregions of the Rogue, including the Applegate Valley, have a dry and warm climate
suitable for production of the best Bordelais varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot,
Semillon and Cabernet franc. The Illinois subregion is noted for its high quality Burgundian
varieties Pinot noir, Pinot gris, Merlot and Chardonnay.