Everyone knows the Willamette Valley. Far fewer people know the Applegate — which is precisely why we send guests there.
The Applegate Valley AVA runs southwest from Jacksonville along a single unhurried road, with around sixteen tasting rooms strung out among the orchards and oak hills. The climate is warmer and drier than northern Oregon, so the wines are different too: Tempranillo, Syrah, Viognier and Cabernet Franc do beautifully here, alongside the Pinot you’d expect.
What makes it special is the scale. These are small, family-run operations, and the person pouring your flight is often the person who made the wine. Tasting fees are modest, appointments are rarely required outside peak weekends, and you can visit three or four estates in an afternoon without ever queueing.
Start in Jacksonville — a beautifully preserved 1850s gold-rush town, and a National Historic Landmark in its own right — then head out along Highway 238. Late summer through harvest in October is the golden window. Bring a designated driver, or book a local tour van and enjoy yourself properly.
Our Jville Gem and Grants Pass homes put you right on the doorstep. Check availability and make a weekend of it.
