Southern Oregon's Applegate Valley

This is a beautiful tour through Southern Oregon's Applegate Valley and one of the country's premier up and coming wine making regions.

Beginning in Grants Pass , a small town of about 35,000, a national historic district and the Josephine County seat, you head in a southern direction along the smooth tarmac known as state highway 238, cresting a small hill before arriving at the Applegate River in the town of Murphy. Turning left onto North Applegate Rd. leads you into the heart of Southern Oregon's wine country as you follow the Applegate Valley Wine Trail The road becomes narrower, and twistier and far more rewarding. Do lookout for the occasional spot of gravel, as well as hidden driveways on this section.

There are more than 50 wineries to visit throughout Southern Oregon, but my absolute favorite is Wooldridge Creek Winery and Vineyards. Located just off the main route, this quaint and impressive winery is a must. Wonderful wines and gorgeous grounds overlooking the valley with the Siskiyou mountain range in the distance. The winery is designed in the classical French style with a below ground barrel room that is a delightful escape if riding in the summer heat.

Continuing along the wine trail you pass multiple vineyards mixed with oak and maple among towering Ponderosa pines and Douglas firs in every direction. Any season is fantastic for this tour, but the autumn colors and cooler temps are my favorite. The road ends in the town of Applegate, right on a beautiful section of the river and you reconnect with highway 238. The highway is a fantastic twisting and smooth two lane affair for the remaining 15 miles before reaching Jacksonville. Again, rustic farms with ancient barns and vineyards galore seem to cover every square mile of this hidden gem of a valley. Multiple tight 90 degree turns and fantastic left-right-left combos await.

Jacksonville's entire city limits has been designated a national historic district. Merely a single glance will tell you why. With a look and charm direct from the 1800's, this town is a wonderful place to grab a bite of fantastic food or to just stroll along the boardwalks and window shop. In the summer months the town hosts a world class music festival that lasts the entire summer called the Britt Festival Contemporary superstars such as the Beach Boys, Kenny G, Willie Nelson and James Taylor mixed with fresh new acts and classical orchestra performances make this festival a treasure of Southern Oregon.

As you leave Jacksonville you head north along the same historic route that stagecoaches once carried passengers on. Old Stage Road is a look into the gentle mix of ranch homes, pastures, old barns and vineyards that makes this valley so special. The road is narrow here, and driveways abound, but around every corner is a new view as a reward. Geologically deverse Table Rocks and Cascadian peak Mt. McLoughlin to the east, the road heads north back into the Rogue Valley.

Rolling hills take you up and down and around until crossing interstate 5 and coming into the town of Gold Hill. Oregon's gold rush was nothing compared to those of California and Alaska, but the towns established during this time frame still are around and places Oregonians call home. Turning left onto highway 99 takes you over the Rogue River and leads you into the heart of town. Once past Gold Hill, highway 99 follows the river along to Del Rio Vineyards and Rock Point.

Crossing the mighty Rogue once again, you follow it for 13 more mostly smooth miles until coming back into Grants Pass.