Rogue Valley AVA
Diverse. Unlimited. Inviting.
Key statistics
1991
5,635 acres
Stream sediments
Characteristics
About the region
The Rogue Valley invites you to have a glass of wine with everything – from theater, art, and music to world class rafting, fishing, hiking, biking, and skiing. Looking for a more low-key get-away? That’s an option too, with walking paths and trails that end in wide-open spaces and awe-inspiring views. With more than 70 grape varieties planted and as many producers to choose from, there’s an Oregon Wine experience for everyone in Rogue Valley Wine Country.
About 75 miles from the Oregon coast and 50 miles from Crater Lake, Oregon’s only national park, the Rogue Valley is defined by the wild and scenic Rogue River and its tributaries: the Applegate, Bear Creek, and Illinois Rivers, and the confluence of the Cascade, Siskiyou, and Coastal mountain ranges. These moderating influences result in drastic diurnal shifts, with nighttime lows dropping up to 70°F, preserving the grape’s acid balance and slowing the ripening season for greater flavor development.
Rogue Valley is also home to Oregon’s first official winery founded by Peter Britt in 1873. Britt was an early gold rush settler to the region who began growing grapes as early 1852, before opening the doors to Valley View Winery. While the exact location of the original winery is unknown, it is believed to have been in Jacksonville, home to the Northwest’s first summer outdoor music festival – Britt Music & Arts Festival – which honors its wine pioneer namesake and attracts world renowned musicians each June to September.