Want To Be On The Cutting Edge? Go Rogue.

Oregon’s Rogue Valley viticulture area (AVA) is named for the area’s tumbling river, but it could just as easily have gotten its name from the definition of “going rogue” to act independently and maybe a little out of control. Compared to Oregon’s celebrated Willamette Valley AVA, known for its cool climate and Pinot Noirs, the Rogue Valley AVA is undiscovered—its terroir unexpected and its wines a bit mysterious.

Big Red and I like mystery, so off we went on a road trip to uncover what we’ve been missing. The Rogue Valley is in the southernmost part of Oregon and is home to 88 vineyards and 33 wineries. It tends to be warmer and drier than the Willamette Valley, but in keeping with its name, this AVA is a bit tricky.

The Rogue nature of the Rogue Valley

The Rogue Valley AVA is actually three adjacent river valleys, each with distinct micro climates. As a result, the vineyards are planted with grapes that thrive in both warm climates (e.g.: Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon) and cool climates (e.g.: Chardonnay and Pinot Noir). Currently there are over 50 different grape varieties grown in the Rogue Valley AVA, which is why the region isn’t known for any particular type of wine.

The first Rogue Valley winery opened in 1873, but it’s still a relatively new wine making region, gaining its official AVA status in 2001 (as compared to say, Napa, which gained its AVA status in 1981). On top of that, the Rogue Valley isn’t super easy to get to—the closest airport is in the smallish city of Medford—and it doesn’t get a ton of wine press.

So why should you go?

What this means for you, dear reader, is some killer wines at good prices, approachable winemakers and a lack of crowds.

If you are in the Developed or Complex Tribes, as Big Red and I are, here are some wines and wineries to check out in the Rogue. (If you don’t know your tribe, please take this nifty quiz to find out.)

• Irvine  & Roberts Vineyards: This family-owned winery has a zeal for sustainability and a focus on cool weather grapes such as Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. We loved the 2017 Estate Chardonnay ($32), a crisply herbaceous wine with hints of caramel and wet stone. The 2016 Estate Pinot Noir ($35) is supple with rich tastes of dark fruits and cedar wood. The pretty tasting room with outside seating features great views of the valley. Make sure to call ahead for a reservation.

  

• Red Lily Vineyards: Red Lily is in the beautiful Applegate Valley, one of the warmer areas of the Rogue. As a result, the winery focuses on warm weather grapes, and produces Spanish styled wines.  Big Red and I picnicked on Red Lily’s grounds by the river and particularly enjoyed the 2015 Red Lily Tempranillo ($35).  It’s smooth yet spicy, with tastes of dark chocolate, plum jam and a little bit of leather.  Pro tip: Ask if they have any homemade pimento cheese. You will thank me later.

  

Next time we go to the Rogue

If we had more time in the Rogue Valley, we definitely would have stopped in at these buzzy wineries:

• Trium Wines: We fell in love with the  Trium Growers’ Cuvée that we sampled at dinner. This Bordeaux blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc was Complex Tribe member Big Red’s favorite wine of the trip. It drinks like an expensive wine and is a steal at $28.
• Kriselle Cellars: Kriselle’s 2018 Sauvignon Blanc knocked my socks off, as in I have already ordered a bunch of it online. Some Sauvignon Blancs are grassy and acidic, but this is a lush wine with hints of pineapple and stone and lingering tastes of honey, with just enough acid to be juicy and food friendly.
• DANCIN Vineyards: DANCIN is known for award-winning wines with a focus on Italian grapes–think Sangiovese and Barbera. It’s a favorite of the locals I spoke to.
• Foris Wine: Foris offer killer values on wines highly rated by Wine Enthusiast. The magazine’s tasters consistently love Foris’ white wines.
• Troon Vineyards and Cowhorn are both biodynamic wineries with highly lauded wines.

Sample three-day itinerary

Knowing what I know now, here’s how I would spend three days in the Rogue Valley.

• Arrive into Ashland and check in at the venerable Ashland Springs Hotel. Make sure to have dinner at Larks Home Kitchen, a wonderful farm-to-table restaurant in the hotel. The next day tour Krislle, Trium and Irving and Roberts. Once you’re back at the hotel there are lots of restaurants you can walk to for dinner. If you’re like us, you might be craving a margarita and some Mexican food. Try Mezcal restaurant.
• On your second day, take a brief respite from wine tasting and make the 2 hour trek northwest to Crater Lake. Along the way, you can see the Rogue River Gorge and take a stunning hike or two.

  

• The next day, pop into Morning Glory for some breakfast nibbles and then stop at DANCIN Vineyards & Winery on your way to the cute town of Jacksonville. Walk around the main street and grab a coffee and dream bar (trust me) at GoodBean. Drive over to Cowhorn and then Red Lilly and sit by the river while you sample the wines and pimento cheese, if possible. I would consider spending the night at The Hummingbird Estate.

  

I hope you have the chance to “go Rogue” and visit this wonderful region of southern Oregon. If you have visited, please leave a comment on your favorite places. Cheers!

PS: Thanks to the Rogue Valley Wine Growers for the use of the AVA map.