This Rogue Valley festival will allow you to taste your new favorite wine

If you’re ready to try a new-to-you wine, enjoy the bounty of varietals being poured at the

Savor Southern Oregon

festival June 13-14 in Jacksonville, with more than 50 Rogue Valley wineries pouring small-batch and best-selling vintages.

Festival organizers predict no one will have pinot noir fatigue at the grand tasting Saturday. With more than 70 varieties produced in the region’s mountain and valley microclimates, “people will discover something they have never tasted before,” said Carole Skeeters-Stevens, who works for event producer Travel Medford.

An exploration of Rogue Valley’s terroirs reveals there is no signature variety, “and that’s the fun part,” she said. “There is a wine for everybody, from fortified dessert and sparkling wines to big reds, elegant chardonnays even mourvedres and chenin blancs.”

The wide spectrum prompted festival organizers to gather experts to teach an educational course on the question: What is the Rogue Valley’s signature grape?

Skeeters-Stevens shrugs and said Belle Fiore Winery winemaker

Rob Folin

would say tempranillo,

Herb Quady

of Quady North would answer syrah and

Chris Jiron

at DANCIN Vineyards would promote pinot noir.

The festival takes place at the sprawling Bigham Knoll Campus overlooking Jacksonville’s historic downtown.

“It’s an opportunity to explore” the

Jacksonville wine trail

, Skeeters-Stevens said, and connect with winemakers in the nearby

Applegate Valley

,

Bear Creek

and

Upper Rogue

.

The festival will feature well-established wineries such as

Del Rio Vineyards

,

Schmidt Family Vineyards

and

Troon Vineyard

alongside emerging brands such as

Sound & Vision Wine Co.

,

Twelve 32 Wine

and

Grit Cellars

. “The Rogue Valley is about tradition and innovation, and that’s really exciting,” said Skeeters-Stevens.

Her tip: Don’t rush and enjoy the full weekend.

A ticket

to Friday’s VIP tasting of rare and limited-edition vintages paired with appetizers from 2 to 8 p.m. is $98. Saturday’s grand tasting and meeting winemakers from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. is $48. And Friday and Saturday’s educational courses start at $75.

There will also be time to visit some of the region’s family-owned tasting rooms, some run by members of the second generation, like

RoxyAnn Winery

in Medford and

Weisinger Family Winery

in Ashland.

Stroll the scenic vineyards, listen to live music, savor the culinary offerings and be spontaneous, Skeeters-Stevens said.

“We are halfway between Napa Valley and the Willamette Valley, but our tasting rooms don’t require reservations,” she said. “The hospitality is top notch, and this tight-knit community will recommend another winery down the road.”

If you go:

Bigham Knoll Campus,

525 Bigham Knoll Drive

, Jacksonville. For more information, visit

savorsouthernoregon.com

.

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— Janet Eastman covers design and trends. Reach her at 503-294-4072,


jeastman@oregonian.com


and follow her on X


@janeteastman


.

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