Page 84 - Southern Oregon Magazine Fall 2018

FEATURE | wine part I

Valley is also a large operation, as is Del Rio who distributes to Sometimes wine is sold in retail venues. John Quinones produces the
18 states across the country and is working toward having their Diamond Back label, which you can find at the Jacksonville Inn and a
wines on menus in those states. few other places. Rob Folin has a new label, Ryan Rose. (Check web-
sites for where to find these wines.)
In our region, the designation “smallest estate vineyard” would
likely belong to Beaton Farm Vineyard & Winery. Sam Beaton had LEAVE THE DRIVING TO US
always wanted to grow wine grapes, so when they bought their cur-
rent property, they did just that. Their 2016 Tempranillo produced If you want to follow a wine trail and participate in tastings, driving
from their two acres—yes, two—earned a Silver Medal at the 2018 safety could be an issue. Unless you have your own designated driver,
Oregon Wine Experience. It was his wife Cathy’s idea to enter their let someone else handle the responsibility. Several companies sponsor
wine at OWE. Sam hesitated, but thought it would determine whether wine tours, either preset or of your making. Check these out: Bacchus
their wine was actually good or if their friends were just being polite. Winery Tours, Bravo Outings, Crater Lake Taxi, Platinum Xcursions,
Sweetly, they won the medal on their 10th wedding anniversary. Theirs Wine Hopper Tours.
is a two-person operation, although grandkids and friends help during
harvest. It’s been a joy to share an update of Southern Oregon wines, an ever-
changing scene. Ten years from now and beyond, we will look back and
URBAN WINERIES know that we witnessed big things in this growing, evolving industry.

Not every winery sits in the heart of a fertile valley or on hills sur- Did you notice how many wineries and vineyards we talked about?
rounded by vinyards. Pallet Wine Company is in the heart of Medford And we’ve only told part of the story. We invite you to check individ-
and operates as a custom crush. Barrel 42 is also an in-town custom ual websites for directions, locations, hours, events and other details.
crush facility. In Ashland, look for Platt Anderson, and just down the Autumn is here, the heat and smoke are gone—enjoy the beautiful
road, Simple Machine in Talent. show nature provides this time of year and some tastings along the
way. Then, take home a bottle or two of your favorite(s), and tell your
URBAN TASTING ROOMS friends.

Enoteca Wine Tasting & Bistro in Ashland is EdenVale’s urban tasting Cheers!
room. Ledger David Cellars lets you taste in their Central Point Le Petit South Stage Cellars newly remodeled tasting room.
Tasting Room, located next to Rogue Creamery. At Simple Machine’s
urban tasting room, you can taste wine and build a picnic from their
menu, or bring your own, then top it off with an ice cream sandwich.
Winemaker Linda Donovan (Pallet Wine Company) serves her clients’
wines next door in her tasting room, The Urban Cork. And brand new
to downtown Medford, the Rogue Grape offers a huge selection of wine
from all local producers.

Troon might win the prize for the urban tasting room farthest from the
vineyard—Carlton, about an hour south of Portland. They feel the Troon
Carlton Wine Bar is a way to introduce folks in the Willamette Valley to
the wonderful wines of the Applegate Valley. They see the Carlton loca-
tion not as an outpost, but as a true extension of the winery.

82 www.southernoregonmagazine.com | fall 2018