![]() ![]() This is a different style than the typical Willamette Valley pinot, lighter, less floral, with less aromatic complexity and intensity but very drinkable. ![]() Grapes are picked at night and cold soaked for three days before being crushed. The difference between a north and south facing slope can be as much as 5 to 10 degrees F.ĭel Rio’s pinot exhibits hints of forest floor, along with red fruit notes of dried strawberry and sour cherry with medium acidity. South facing slopes are covered with deciduous trees while north facing slopes have conifers. The distinction between north and south facing slopes is readily apparent. Typically, vineyards at elevations of 1200 feet or higher face south, while vineyards at elevations of 700 to 1200 feet above sea level (asl) face north. It’s surprising that its production isn’t greater or more widespread.ĭel Rio also produces a pinot noir (2016) from elevations of 700 to 1,600 feet. Rosé has great potential in the Rogue Valley. There is a slight carbonic maceration resulting in a cotton candy note. The resulting wine is very floral, with pronounced strawberry and raspberry aromas and crisp acidity. ![]() The juice is kept on the skins for three days then crushed and fermented for seven days. ![]() The diurnal temperature variation in this part of the Rogue Valley AVA can vary from 15 to as much as 40 degrees F. Grapes are picked at night, to reduce oxidation, by mechanical harvesters. There are several wineries worth investigating here.ĭel Rio Vineyards produces a rosé from grenache (2017) that, at an average price of $13, represents an outstanding value. The area between Grants Pass and Medford is generally lower in elevation and warmer than the Applegate or Bear Creek Valleys. Soil texture ranges from quick draining sandy loams to hard clay. Soil types range from alluvial sand and gravel to metamorphic rocks, marine sedimentary bedrock and decomposed volcanics. Cooler climate varietals like pinot noir, sauvignon blanc and chardonnay are more often found in the western portion of the Rogue Valley and on select north and east facing slopes at elevation. Grape varietals grown here feature warm climate grapes like merlot, cabernet sauvignon, malbec, syrah, tempranillo and viognier. The valley floor is generally too hot for grapes. Most vineyards are on hillsides at elevations of 1200 to 2000 feet. The elevation rises as you move south, which makes the southern portion of the corridor higher and cooler than the northern portion. The corridor between Medford and Ashland in the south resembles a large bowl that traps heat resulting in elevated temperatures. Wines from this region are generally plush, full-bodied, fruit-forward Bordeaux- and Rhône- style wines with a subtle underlying minerality.Three mountain ranges, the Cascades, Coast Range and Klamath Mountains intersect in this region creating a complex topography that includes many valleys and a range of aspects and elevations. Most vineyards are planted on stream terraces or alluvial fans, providing deep, well-drained soils that are ideal for high-quality wine grapes. The Applegate River greatly influenced the development of soils in the area. Vineyards are typically grown at elevations up to 2,000 feet (610 m) and experience hot days and cool nights. Surrounded by the Siskiyou Mountains, the Applegate Valley is shielded from cooling marine winds coming from the Pacific Ocean. It stretches 50 miles (80 km) north from the California border to the Rogue River just west of Grants Pass. The Applegate Valley AVA is contained within the larger Rogue Valley and Southern Oregon AVAs. Today, this area is an important winegrowing region turning out a diversity of high-quality wines. It began with a few family-run wineries that planted their roots and opened their doors. It wasn’t until the 1970s, after modern pioneers began discovering the neighboring areas’ quality wine growing conditions, that the Applegate Valley experienced a resurgence of winemaking. Valley View closed in 1907 then Prohibition hit. In 1873, he opened Valley View Winery, Oregon’s first official winery. Cowhorn Vineyard and Garden – John Valls Follow the riverĪpplegate Valley’s wine history began in 1852 when an early settler named Peter Britt planted wine grapes. ![]()
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