For wine lovers, Southern Oregon's burgeoning wine region is a great discovery. Jacksonville is heart and soul of the entire region, and more specifically it is the Gateway to the Applegate Valley Wine Trail. Touring the 20 wineries in the breathtaking Applegate Valley is convenient due to their close proximity to each other and to Jacksonville. They are all within about 25 miles. The Applegate Valley climate is an alternative to Oregon's cool-climate viticulture and is conducive to Chardonnay, Syrah and Bordeaux red varietals.
You can take just a couple of hours or easily fill several days touring the vineyards and wineries of the Applegate Valley. These wineries are small and unspoiled so you can enjoy relaxed tasting rooms where you will often find yourself talking to the wine maker in person. Some of our favorites (in no particular order) are Red Lily (beautiful site and great wines, especially the tempranillo), Troon Vineyards (check out their Chardonnay, also great food offerings during the season & a bocce court!), Schmidt Family Vineyards (Craftsman style tasting room and great gardens, love their Riesling and Viognier) , Fiasco (great Zinfandel and Pam is perfect), Wooldridge Creek (our favorite view and lovely zinfandel), and Cowhorn Vineyards and Gardens (biodynamic and certified organic). Also, check out the twice a year Uncorked events to get a behind the scenes look and taste of what is up and coming! The spring event occurs the Sunday before Memorial and the fall event the Sunday before Thanksgiving.