Winemakers with impressive international résumés moved in to make wine for themselves and clients. The wine industry now drives tourism through the Rogue Valley. Today, there are more than 150 vineyards in the Rogue Valley, which also is generating awards with the robust Spanish grape Tempranillo, Rhône Valley varieties such as Grenache and Viognier, and the ever-popular Chardonnay and Pinot Gris. The Wisnovsky family revived the brand in the 1970s and continues to operate it. In the 1850s, Peter Britt launched Oregon’s first winery in the Applegate Valley town of Jacksonville and operated it as Valley View Winery for more than five decades. The Pinot Noir producer created its Griffin Creek brand 30 years ago so it could offer customers bigger reds such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah - grapes that do not perform as well in the cooler Willamette Valley but shine at Quail Run Vineyards. One of the biggest early supporters of Rogue Valley fruit was Willamette Valley Vineyards near Salem. About a third of the Rogue Valley’s 3,200 acres of vines are devoted to Pinot Noir. Fruity and luscious Pinot Noir grapes from Southern Oregon routinely make their way into many of the state’s largest bottlings, particularly in cool vintages. In fact, the prized red grape of Burgundy is the region’s No. Visitors from Portland and Seattle will still find plenty of delicious Pinot Noir grown, made and bottled by Rogue Valley wineries. And while wines from the Rogue Valley American Viticultural Area remain in the global shadow of Oregon’s Willamette Valley, there’s substantial history and acclaimed winemaking taking place in and around Ashland, the state’s southernmost city. The drive along Interstate 5 from Portland to Ashland doesn’t offer the stark geologic and cultural differences that Interstate 90 showcases in Washington state, but the styles, diversity and quality of wine created in Southern Oregon are reminiscent of a trip through Eastern Washington. A very nice wine, especially at the dinner table.Written by Eric Degerman and Andy Perdue, Great Northwest Wine Well done! The wild, gamey side is present but controlled, as is the oak. These grapes were just ripe at the end of October with a moderate level of sugar, giving a more medium bodied interpretation of Mourvedre. Observations: Mourvedre is a grape that requires lots of heat and a long season to ripen. The flavors mirror the aromas with fresh black fruit and a bit of wild game. Mouth: Dry, medium plus acidity, medium sandy tannins, medium body, medium alcohol, medium plus flavor intensity, medium plus finish. Nose: Medium plus intensity aromas of violets, fresh ripe blueberries, blackberries, black plums, a little wild game, cedar Harvest date was late! and only 13.2% alcohol Weisinger Family Winery Mourvedre 2017, Folin Vineyard, Rogue Valley, OR ( $38 at the winery) 13.2% abv There is also a vacation cottage on-site in case you’d like to relax amidst the vines.īack in Minnesota with Weisinger Mourvedre Light on its feet, the Weisinger Family Winery Mourvedre captures the wildness of this grape There is a beautiful patio at the winery, a perfect spot to enjoy a glass of wine and plate of cheese and charcuterie. Grapes are all hand-harvested, allowing whole cluster fermentation where desired. Eric explained they are currently converting to organic viticulture and have eliminated use of pesticides like glyphosphate. As we stood in the now 40+ year old dry-farmed Gewurztraminer vines, Eric explained how, as a kid, he hated being forced to help plant vines vines he now treasures! Eric took over winemaking at the winery in 1997, and now runs the entire business for their 3000 case production. They are responsible for the farming at about 85% of these properties. They also source grapes from other vineyards within 5 miles of the farm. The Weisinger family grows Gewurztraminer (their original vines), Pinot Noir and Tempranillo on their farm. This climate supports a wide variety of grapes. At 2000 ft altitude, the Bear Creek Valley gets plenty of daytime sun and heat, but cools beautifully at night. John’s son, Eric, now runs the winery and led our tour. The Weisinger Family Winery was started back in 1978 when John Weisinger purchased an old 1888 farm in the Bear Creek Valley, just south of Ashland Oregon.
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