Local Guide · Wine
Southern Oregon wine country
In 2026 USA TODAY readers voted the Rogue Valley the best wine region in the country. Grants Pass sits on its western edge, so the tasting rooms are part of everyday life here. This is my take on the valleys, the latest recognition, and what to know if you want to visit or live among the vines.
Updated October 2026
The valleys
Three wine areas near Grants Pass
Rogue Valley
The larger region that holds most of Southern Oregon's vineyards, from the hills around Grants Pass to the benches near Medford and Ashland. Warm, dry summers suit Rhône, Spanish and Bordeaux grapes: Syrah, Tempranillo, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Viognier show up on nearly every tasting list.
Del Rio, the closest big estate, is about 20 minutes up I-5. The Medford and Ashland estates are 40 minutes to an hour.
Applegate Valley
A smaller valley inside the Rogue Valley, running along the Applegate River between Grants Pass and Jacksonville. Family wineries, farm stands and narrow roads. The Applegate Wine Trail groups the tasting rooms so you can plan a day.
Troon is about 25 minutes from Grants Pass and about 35 minutes from Jacksonville. The tasting rooms near Ruch and Jacksonville run 40 to 50 minutes along Highway 238.
Illinois Valley
Southwest of Grants Pass toward Cave Junction. Cooler and wetter, with a handful of small producers working with Pinot Noir and other cool-climate grapes.
About 35 to 40 minutes southwest on Highway 199.
Start here
The Highway 238 wine loop
1/5
Troon Vineyard
The biodynamic and organic farm. Bring your wine-nerd friend.
2/5
Wooldridge Creek
Wine plus their own creamery. Get the board.
3/5
Schmidt Family Vineyards
Gardens, plus live music Friday evenings.
4/5
Serra Vineyards
Open seven days. Picnics and dogs welcome.
5/5
Rosella's Vineyard
Family-run and dry-farmed, one of the few in Southern Oregon. Ask about the Spretzels.
Bonus winter pick
Del Rio Vineyards in Gold Hill, right off I-5 at exit 43. The tasting room opens daily at 11 a.m., year-round.
Winter hours shift, so call before you go. And bring a designated driver.
Where to taste
Tasting rooms worth the drive
Applegate Valley and Jacksonville
Rural and close-knit, with small family tasting rooms along a winding river road.
- Troon Vineyard
Regenerative, biodynamic farm whose natural-leaning wines get people talking about the Applegate.
- Red Lily Vineyards
Tempranillo and Spanish varieties right on the Applegate River. Bring a blanket.
- Cowhorn Vineyard & Garden
Certified biodynamic estate making Rhône-style wines, one of the valley's benchmarks.
- Plaisance Ranch
Working family ranch that also makes wine. Relaxed and very local.
- Valley View Winery
One of the valley's longest-running wineries and a good first stop to get your bearings.
- Dancin Vineyards
Pinot and Chardonnay on a hillside near Jacksonville, with wood-fired pizza and patio views.
- South Stage Cellars
Tasting room in historic downtown Jacksonville pouring fruit from many local vineyards.
Rogue Valley: I-5 and the Bear Creek corridor
Gold Hill through Medford, Talent and Ashland. Quicker to reach from the freeway, with more polished estates.
- Del Rio Vineyards
Big historic estate off I-5 near Gold Hill, and one of the region's largest grape growers.
- Kriselle Cellars
Scenic estate above the Rogue at 12956 Modoc Road, White City. A good bet for a sunset glass.
- Irvine & Roberts Vineyards
High-elevation Pinot and Chardonnay just outside Ashland, with polished tastings and big views.
- Weisinger Family Winery
Long-running family winery just south of Ashland. Low-key and welcoming.
Trail maps: Applegate Wine Trail · Travel Medford wine guide
Recent recognition
What the judges and the readers said
July 2026
Rogue Valley named No. 1 wine region in the U.S.
USA TODAY 10Best readers ranked the Rogue Valley the top wine region in the country for 2026, up from No. 2 in 2025.
Source: Oregon Wine BoardJune 2026
2026 Savor Southern Oregon Wine Competition
More than 150 local wines judged blind by a panel including two Masters of Wine. Best of Show: Twelve 32 Wine 2022 Fortmiller Vineyard Cabernet Franc (red), Peter William Vineyard 2024 Viognier, Daisy Creek Vineyard (white), and Twelve 32 Wine 2022 Blanc de Noirs (specialty).
Source: Rogue Valley TimesJune 2026
2026 Best of Class winners
Malbec: Agathodaemon Wine 2023 "Mania". Red blend: Weisinger Family Winery 2023 Grenache/Syrah/Mourvèdre. Rosé: Quady North 2025 GSM Rosé. Syrah: Domaine Rogue 2022. Tempranillo: Ryan Rose Wine 2022.
Source: Savor Southern OregonJuly 2025
Rogue Valley ranked No. 2 wine region in the U.S.
The 2025 USA TODAY 10Best Awards placed the Rogue Valley second in the nation.
Source: Oregon Wine BoardJune 2025
First Savor Southern Oregon competition
158 wines from 45 Rogue Valley wineries judged in the inaugural year. Best of Show went to Naumes 2020 Malbec, Trium Wines 2024 Pinot Blanc and Quady North 2024 Rosé GSM.
Source: Travel Medford via PR Newswire
Visiting
Before you go
- Check hours before you go. Many tasting rooms keep shorter hours in winter, and some are by appointment only.
- Book ahead for groups of six or more.
- Harvest usually runs September into October, with some early picks in late August.
- Plan three or four stops, not eight. The roads between wineries are rural and winding.
- Pick a designated driver or book a local tour.
My picks
Where I take visitors
When friends come to town, these are the tasting rooms I keep going back to: Agostino, Red Lily, Wooldridge and Irvine & Roberts.
Living here
Buying in wine country
FAQ
Southern Oregon wine: common questions
What is the Rogue Valley known for in wine?
Warm-climate reds and whites. Syrah, Tempranillo, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Viognier are common, and the region took the No. 1 spot in the 2026 USA TODAY 10Best ranking of U.S. wine regions.
Is the Rogue Valley really the best wine region in the U.S.?
It won the 2026 USA TODAY 10Best readers' vote for Best Wine Region, after placing second in 2025. That is a popular vote, not a critics' ranking, but it reflects how many people now visit.
What is the difference between the Rogue Valley and the Applegate Valley?
The Applegate Valley is a smaller wine area inside the larger Rogue Valley. It follows the Applegate River between Grants Pass and Jacksonville and is known for small, family-run wineries.
Are there wineries near Grants Pass?
Yes. Del Rio is about 20 minutes away, Troon about 25, and the Illinois Valley about 35 to 40.
Which wineries are closest to downtown Grants Pass?
Five tasting rooms sit off Highway 238 a short drive from downtown: Troon Vineyard, Wooldridge Creek, Schmidt Family Vineyards, Serra Vineyards and Rosella's. Del Rio Vineyards, off I-5 at exit 43 near Gold Hill, is the closest stop to the east.
Is there a winery open year-round near Grants Pass?
Yes. Del Rio Vineyards in Gold Hill opens its tasting room daily at 11 a.m., year-round, which is unusual in the Rogue Valley. Many smaller rooms cut back their winter hours, so call ahead.
Which wineries near Grants Pass welcome picnics and dogs?
Serra Vineyards is open seven days and welcomes picnics, pets and families. Policies change, so check with any winery before bringing a dog.
Which winery near Grants Pass has food or cheese?
Wooldridge Creek pairs its wine with cheese from its own creamery. Order the board.
Is there live music at wineries near Grants Pass?
Schmidt Family Vineyards hosts live music on Friday evenings, 5 to 8 p.m. The series may be seasonal, so confirm before you go.
What wineries are in the Applegate Valley?
Troon Vineyard, Red Lily Vineyards, Cowhorn Vineyard & Garden, Plaisance Ranch, Valley View Winery and Dancin Vineyards are among them, with South Stage Cellars pouring in nearby Jacksonville. The Applegate Wine Trail has a full map.
When is the best time to visit Southern Oregon wine country?
Late spring through fall. Summer is warm and dry, and harvest brings the most activity. Wildfire smoke can affect some late-summer days, so keep plans flexible.
What is Savor Southern Oregon?
A Rogue Valley wine festival with a blind-judged competition. The 2026 competition judged more than 150 local wines with a panel that included two Masters of Wine.
Do I need reservations for tasting rooms?
Often. Many smaller wineries are by appointment, and most prefer notice for groups. Check each winery's site before you go.
Can I buy a home with a vineyard near Grants Pass?
Yes, but rural and farm-zoned land has its own rules. Water rights, wells, Exclusive Farm Use zoning and wildfire insurance all matter more than on a city lot. I walk buyers through each before an offer.
Does a vineyard need water rights in Oregon?
Usually, yes. A household well can water up to half an acre of lawn or garden without a water right. Irrigating a vineyard larger than that needs one. Check the state water records before you buy.
Is living in wine country a good fit for relocating buyers?
For people who want space, small-town pace and good food nearby, often yes. The tradeoffs are rural roads, longer drives for some services and spotty internet outside town.