rare varietals

Applegate & Rogue Valley — Wine Trail

Sip something rare. The unexpected varietal trail.

Step off the well-traveled wine path and find something unexpected. Southern Oregon growers are planting adventurous varietals — sparkling reds, rare whites, and Spanish grapes — all grown with care and character.

  • Taste wines you won’t find in every tasting room
  • Ideal for wine enthusiasts and curious explorers
  • Visit eco-friendly, biodynamic vineyards
  • Scenic drives and peaceful backroads
POURING NOWCURRENT WINE SPECIALSSee deals with wineriesUpdated as new offers go live THIS WEEKENDCURRENT WINE EVENTSSee what’s on across the valleyLive music, releases, and pop-ups FOR WINERIESADD YOUR DEALPouring something this weekend?In by Friday morning, live by noon
A SPARKLING RED, NO LESSGrants Pass · Applegate Valley

Troon Vineyard

Applegate Valley

Pioneers in regenerative farming, experimenting with Tannat, Vermentino, and more.

Address
1475 Kubli Rd, Grants Pass, OR 97527Tap for directions
Try
Pétillant TannatAround $35 — bold, dry, and unlike anything else here
Hours
Daily 11-5Call ahead — hours change with the season
Tasting
Guided experience $60-80
Website
troonvineyard.com
Instagram
@troonwines
SPANISH GRAPES, APPLEGATE DIRTApplegate

Red Lily Vineyards

Applegate Valley

Specializing in Spanish varietals, with a crisp Albariño and a savory Tempranillo.

Address
11777 Hwy 238, Applegate, OR 97530Tap for directions
Try
AlbariñoAround $30 — bright, citrus-forward, seaside fresh
Hours
Daily 11-5Call ahead — hours change with the season
Tasting
Flights $10
Website
redlilyvineyards.com
Instagram
@redlilyvineyards
RHÔNE WHITES, BIODYNAMICJacksonville

Cowhorn Vineyard & Garden

Jacksonville

Specializing in Rhône whites like Marsanne and Roussanne, grown biodynamically.

Address
1665 Eastside Rd, Jacksonville, OR 97530Tap for directions
Try
Marsanne-Roussanne blendAround $36
Hours
Thu-Sun 11-4Call ahead — hours change with the season
Tasting
Flights $15-25
Website
cowhornwine.com
Instagram
@cowhornwines
PALATE-EXPANDING POURSGrants Pass · Applegate Valley

Wooldridge Creek Winery

Applegate Valley

Palate-expanding varietals like Malbec and Barbera, poured beside their own creamery cheese.

Address
818 Slagle Creek Rd, Grants Pass, OR 97526Tap for directions
Try
MalbecAround $30-40
Tasting
$10-15Check the website for current hours
Website
wooldridgecreek.com
Instagram
@wooldridgecreek
MOURVÈDRE AND CATTLEWilliams · Applegate Valley

Plaisance Ranch

Williams — Applegate Valley

A rustic estate producing Mourvèdre and Carmenère alongside vineyard-raised beef.

Address
16955 Water Gap Rd, Williams, OR 97544Tap for directions
Try
MourvèdreAround $28-35
Hours
Seasonal Wed-MonCall ahead — hours change with the season
Tasting
Flights $18
Website
plaisanceranch.com
SMALL LOTS, OFF THE MAPGrants Pass · Applegate Valley

Wanderlust Vineyard

Applegate Valley

Rhône varietals and small-lot experimentation, on Kubli Road with the rest of the good ones.

Address
1000 Kubli Rd, Grants Pass, OR 97527Tap for directions
Try
ViognierAround $30 — floral, rich, and expressive
Tasting
Reservations requiredCheck the website to book
Website
wanderlustvines.com
Instagram
@wanderlust_vineyard
WHY THE ODD GRAPES WORK HERESeventy varietals, one valley

Seventy varietals, one valley

Southern Oregon runs hot by day and cold by night, and the elevation, aspect, and soil change every few miles. That range is why a grower here can ripen Tannat on one slope and hold acid in Albariño on another. Most regions settle on two or three grapes that work. This one never had to, so the odd bottles are not a gimmick — they are what the ground allows.