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.
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