Page 84 - Southern Oregon Magazine Fall 2022
P. 84
SCHMIDT FAMILY VINEYARDS
Join us for afternoon tea—
a wonderfully unique
experience that will surely
be a highlight of your visit
to the Rogue Valley!
Three generations make wine together at Schmidt Family Vineyards (SFV) in the Applegate Valley.
And more than a responsibility, it seems part of their DNA, with the fourth generation already
finding its way in! Voted “Readers’ Choice Best Winery” by Southern Oregon Magazine, Spring 2022,
Schmidt offers award-winning wines, a full kitchen featuring wood-fired pizzas, and acres of lush
gardens and landscape. It’s a kicked-back place to enjoy Friday night music, and it’s likely that you’ll
find founders Cal and Judy Schmidt on the grounds socializing with guests.
Growing up on a wheat farm in Kansas, Cal had a successful career in the aerospace industry. He
met Judy in San Diego at a USO dance, and after they married, Cal says “I got restless and wanted
to go farm. I’ve got farming in my blood. So, we bought the old Bennett Ranch, with its hay fields
and cattle, and I took out the barbed wire and planted grapes!”
Today, the 75-acre property on Kubli Bench has 45 acres under vine, ten of forest and five that are
beautifully landscaped with the craftsman-style tasting facility and winery as the crown jewel. Cal
designed the elegant Northwestern-inspired facility that he built with grandson Duncan out of gor-
geous, rough-hewn pine from downed trees on the property. SFV evolved from purchase in 2000
to a family-run winery with daughter Rene and grandson Duncan making wine, Judy designing
the landscape and “trying to retire,” grandson Spencer managing the tasting room/food/entertain-
Book your reservation ment, retail and national sales. “We all seem to have found our spot,” Rene confirms. They agree
that Duncan is the nuts-and-bolts, make-it-happen guy, Spencer is the culinary and business expert,
for Queen’s Tea or join and Cal and Rene are the idea people.
us as a walk-in guest The most recent idea was to launch a second label, Wilderness, with a red, white and rosé. These
non-vintage, estate wines are a friendly addition to Schmidt’s more than 50 estate varietals and
for lighter tea fare. blends from multiple vintages that are currently available. And they’re still exploring. Just this
spring, they added four more grape varieties to the 14 already planted.
Call (541) 708-6718 Visitors to the tasting room will want to return since two new wines are released every month. Be
or visit our website: sure to check their website for harvest tours, winery visits, and other events and music. And bring
the kiddos. With seven great-grandchildren often on the property, they’ll have plenty of company,
lovejoystearoom-ashland.com Judy notes with a smile.
82 www.southernoregonmagazine.com | fall 2022
