A wonderland of wine, artisan food, and outdoor recreation awaits travelers when they visit Medford. Affectionately known as the Heart of the Rogue, Medford is a viticultural oasis, and the launchpad into adventure. Because whether it is hiking, rafting, cycling or touring local farmers markets, everything pairs better with a bottle of Rogue Valley wine.
Rogue Valley Wine Country is a wine lover’s dream. The region has quickly skyrocketed to fame — celebrated for its boutique, award-winning wines. Medford was also recently named one of two wine capitals in Oregon by Northwest Travel & Life Magazine, so you know you are in for a special experience.
There is no limit to the diversity and untamed wine varietals you will discover. The Rogue Valley is an impressive 70 miles wide by 60 miles long, so you have numerous vineyards to explore. It is also the southernmost growing wine region of Oregon and composed of three river valleys — Bear Creek, Applegate and Illinois.
One of the Rogue Valley’s greatest features is its four distinct wine trails — Upper Rogue, Bear Creek, Jacksonville and Applegate. Like looking through a kaleidoscope, each wine trail showcases a different facet of the Rogue Valley’s beauty, whether it is pastoral views, grand tasting rooms, or vineyards which seem like they were transported straight from an Italian villa. With over 5,800 acres of vineyards, 53 tasting rooms and 88 vineyards, Medford and the Rogue Valley is wine country the way it should be — pure, natural and carefree.
Additionally, there are more than 70 varieties of wine grown in Southern Oregon, so the area is no one-trick pony when it comes to flavor. Wild and courageous reds, sophisticated whites, and sparkly rosé wines show what puts the “rogue” in the Rogue Valley. Every wine has its own personality, and each captures time and place in its particular bottle.
e than local, farm-to-table food, including cheese. The most classic of wine pairings, cheese is serious business down here and a great source of pride, too.
In 2019, Rogue Creamery’s Rogue River Blue was named “World's Best Cheese” at the World Cheese Awards in Bergamo, Italy. Judges from around the globe tasted 3,800 of the planet’s most distinguished cheeses and chose Rogue River Blue as the world champion, the first time an American-made cheese received this top honor. A cornerstone of the Rogue Valley for more than 85 years, The Rogue Creamery draws from the natural resources of Southern Oregon to create its award-winning flavor.
Beyond cheese, the Rogue Valley boasts many fine restaurants and hosts numerous farmers markets. With local fruits, vegetables, jams, breads and sweets, it is no surprise the Rogue Valley Growers & Crafters Market was included in the “Top 10 Farmers Markets in the Nation” by CNN. Rogue Valley farmers have provided locals with the bounty of the land for decades, and visitors can share in that abundance during their wine vacations.
The jewel of Southern Oregon and one of Oregon’s greatest wonders, Crater Lake stands about 60 miles north of Medford. A simple day trip or overnight getaway, the National Park can enhance any wine country experience with awe-inspiring natural wonder. Enjoy the scenic drive up Highway 62, stopping at waterfall pullouts, Union Creek and the Rogue River's Natural Bridge.
Rafting the Rogue River is another must-do. A protected scenic treasure, the Rogue River has an interesting past, exciting present and promises an untamed, wild time.
Warm and welcoming, Rogue Valley Wine Country invites tourists to relax with a bottle of their favorite wine, while making plans to experience the region’s treasures: food, outdoor fun and much more.
For more information on visiting Medford and the Rogue Valley, go to www.travelmedford.org, and for details about wine tasting in the Rogue Valley, visit www.roguevalleywinecountry.com.
