Page 128 - Southern Oregon Magazine Spring 2018

chow | wine

JAXON VINEYARDS

Building friendships over wine

PAMELA GIBSON PROVIDED BY JAXON VINEYARDS

esplendent with unrestrained vistas of the region, the Fern Oregon natives Jamie and Katherine McCleary recognized Southern
Valley once boasted high meadow grasses and large oak trees Oregon’s potential for growing outstanding grapes. They knew that
Rback in the 1860s. Bears, cougars, and bobcats formerly stalked the region was “strategically positioned for phenomenal wines with
the region. The valley was originally divided into three large land dona- its microclimates, sun, soil and water.” In fact, Southern Oregon is
tions, and in 1910 the first commercial orchard was planted. Today, the located on the same latitude, providing similar climates as those of the
Fern Valley enjoys slopes of vineyards and the remarkable wines and southern Rhone region of France and the Rioja region of northern
hospitality of JAXON Vineyards. Spain. Anticipating an ideal vineyard site for their chosen varietals, the

126 www.southernoregonmagazine.com | spring 2018