![]() ![]() No matter which direction you choose to explore from the Rogue Valley’s hub city, Medford, there is a distinctive experience waiting in the area’s tasting rooms and vineyards, each as unique as the wines they produce. While Oregon produces only one percent of the nation’s fine wines, their wineries hold an impressive twenty percent of WineSpectator’s 90+ scores for domestic wine.* With one hundred and fifty microclimates sitting within a region bounded by four rivers and three major mountain ranges, Rogue Valley vintners are sitting at the heart of artisan wine production and possibility. It’s a reputation that has been growing in remarkable ways over the last decade and Rogue Valley vintners have taken their place among the notable wineries of Oregon, and the nation. Together, they have produced a growing collection of award-winning, internationally-recognized wines that make the Rogue Valley an affordable stop-and-savor destination for all. The Rogue Valley’s unique combination of warm seasonal temperatures, diverse geology and prevailing coastal winds create an astonishing array of microclimates that not only produce a wide range of grape varietals but have also become home to a group of world-class vintners and growers, passionately dedicated to their craft and to this region. Medford has, on average, 175 sunny days per year, compared to 80 on average for the Willamette Valley, and 65 on average for the coast.Just north of the California border sits a gem for wine lovers and connoisseurs alike. ĭue to the valley's generally mild climate, it is used as a region to grow pears, and there are multiple vineyards. Sub-zero temperatures are extremely rare in the valley the Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport has not recorded such extreme cold weather since December 21, 1990, when the temperature dropped to −2 ☏ or −18.9 ☌. The Rogue Valley is in USDA plant hardiness zones 7–9. On average, the first frost occurs October 22, and the last on May 6. Because of the combination of heat and dry air, wildfires are a problem during the summer, and frequently, smoke will fill up the valley for weeks, reducing visibility and air quality. Temperatures surpass 100 ☏ or 37.8 ☌, on an average of 10–15 days during the summer. Summers are hot and sunny, but dry, with low or no humidity. ![]() Winters are chilly and rainy, but relatively dry and slightly colder when compared to the rest of western Oregon, with frequent fog, and occasional snow. The region's climate is similar to the Central and Sacramento Valleys of California, with a hot-summer Mediterranean climate. Unlike the rest of Western Oregon, because of the rain shadow effect resulting from the close range of the Cascades and Siskiyous, the Rogue Valley is relatively dry when compared to the coast and Portland. Interstate 5 follows the valley through Ashland, Medford and Grants Pass. The community of Ashland is famous for the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. The mild climate and relative isolation have made the valley a popular retirement destination. We’ve been mapping the world’s wine regions for nearly a decade. Ultimately, the goal is to find and drink better wine. You can see famous regions as well neighboring wine spots that fly under the radar. In recent years the valley has emerged as a wine-growing region and it is the location of the Rogue Valley AVA ( American Viticultural Area). Maps show us the location of vineyard areas and tell us where grapes grow best. A regional manufacturing industry is centered in Medford, the most highly populated area of the valley. The valley is characterized by a mild climate that allows a long growing season, especially for many varieties of fruits, nuts and herbs. It is separated from the nearby coast by a high section of the Southern Oregon Coast Range. The valley forms a relatively isolated enclave west of the Cascade Range along the north side of the Siskiyou Mountains. The Rogue Valley is a popular fall destination in Oregon because of the hardwood forests there. The most populated part of the Rogue Valley is not along the Rogue proper, but along the smaller Bear Creek tributary. The largest communities in the Rogue Valley are Medford, Ashland and Grants Pass. ![]() Located along the middle Rogue River and its tributaries in Josephine and Jackson counties, the valley forms the cultural and economic heart of Southern Oregon near the California border. The Rogue Valley is a valley region in southwestern Oregon in the United States. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |