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    Home » Travel » Pacific Northwest

    Applegate Valley Wine Trail (Southern Oregon)

    Published: May 29, 2018 · Modified: Mar 2, 2023 · by Renée B. · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Applegate Valley Wine Trail {Southern Oregon Travel} | The Good Hearted Woman

    Drive the Applegate Valley Wine Trail and experience the best of Southern Oregon wine country: stunning scenic beauty, small-town warmth, uncrowded tasting rooms, and artisan winemakers committed to their craft.

    Wine glasses with tasting pours lined up on a table.
    Jump to:
    • Wooldridge Creek Winery, Creamery, and Charcuterie
    • Troon Vineyard
    • Schmidt Family Vineyards
    • Red Lily Vineyards
    • Southern Oregon Travel

    Whether you are on a quest for the perfect bottle of Oregon wine or just want to take a beautiful drive through Southern Oregon back-country, you’ll find what you’re looking for on the Applegate Valley Wine Trail.

    Extending for 50 miles, from the California border to Grants Pass along the Applegate River, the fertile Applegate Valley is home to "fragrant lavender fields, meticulous small family farms growing organic produce, roaming herds of grass-fed cattle, and numerous vineyards and wineries."[Applegate Valley Wine Trail]

    The Applegate Valley Wine Trail includes eighteen unique member wineries that produce a diverse array of wines. Today, we're sharing some highlights from four of those wineries - a perfect itinerary for a day of sightseeing and wine-tasting!

    Wooldridge Creek Winery, Creamery, and Charcuterie

    Specialties: Small batch estate wines, sustainability and stewardship, congenial conversation, artisan cheeses, and charcuterie.

    First established as a "hobby" vineyard back in the '70's, Wooldridge Creek has evolved over the decades into a thriving vineyard, winery, creamery and charcuterie business. Owners Ted, Mary, Greg, and Kara adhere to seven-generation principles, a philosophy that is clearly reflected in their dedication to both community and stewardship of the land.

    Wooldridge Creek Winery - front view of an old Dodge truck.

    At Wooldridge Creek, their commitment to sustainability is at the heart of everything they do. They take their role as stewards of the land seriously, and have maintained certifications for the Salmon Safe and LIVE (Low Input Viticulture and Enology) programs as well as Pacific Power’s Blue Sky Renewable Energy Program for over a decade. They also participate in their local watershed protection association.

    Wooldridge Creek Winery wall mural of people harvesting grapes.

    On a personal note, this was one of the friendliest, most welcoming tasting rooms we've visited - I could have hung out there all day! (I went back twice in one month, if that says anything.) The grounds are beautiful, with broad, sweeping views of the valley; and the entire place has a much less "fussy" vibe than many tasting rooms do... in other words, it very much appealed to my inner hippie.

    Wooldridge Creek Winery charcuterie.

    In a move very much in keeping with their role as "stewards of the land," Wooldridge Creek opened their CrushPad Creamery in 2015, making it Oregon’s first joint creamery and winery. The creamery is located on the winery’s crush pad and offers visitors a chance to view the entire cheese making process. They currently source cow and goat milk from two local organic dairies, and make many styles of cheese, from fresh and soft to aged, hard cheeses.

    Carrots and pickles in two very large pickling jars.

    In 2017, Wooldridge made another addition: charcuterie - fermenting local vegetables and curing a selection of meats - to their repertoire. They offer three platters to complement their wine flights: a cheese platter, a charcuterie platter, or a combination of the two.

    Landscape of vineyards at Wooldridge Creek Winery.

    Wooldridge Creek has 56 acres planted in twelve varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Viognier, Sangiovese, Zinfandel, Malbec, Petit Verdot and Tempranillo.

    Landscape over top of grape vines at Wooldridge Creek Winery

    When you visit, be sure to say hello to the winery cat!

    Wooldridge Creek Winery

    818 Slagle Cr. Rd
    Grants Pass, OR 97527
    541.846.6364
    admin@wcwinery.com

    Tabby cat napping in the sun.

    Troon Vineyard

    Specialties: Zinfandels, unique blends, and "Good Times & Fine Wines"

    In 1972, Dick Troon planted one of the first vineyards in the Applegate Valley. Since that time, the Troon estate has grown to 100 acres with over 40 acres of grapes planted. Known for their signature Zinfandels and unique blends, they are also pioneering varietals such as Vermentino and Tannat. (Their Druid Fluids blend is especially popular.)

    Landscape of vineyard at Troon Vineyard
    Purple grapes on the vine.

    The exceptionally well-kept grounds give visitors plenty of options for relaxing, including bocce ball courts, picnic tables, and a giant chess game. Guests can play while they enjoy a plate of cheeses and a glass of wine... or they can just sit back and take in the view.

    Building at Troon Vineyards.

    It has always been my assertion that everything tastes better when served with a smile, and Troon wines definitely support this claim. In the last year, Mr B and I have visited both Troon tasting rooms a couple of times, and found their staff to be enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and exceptionally friendly. (BIG kudos to the team in Carlton - they are amazing!)

    Troon Vineyard

    1475 Kubli Road
    Grants Pass, Oregon 97527
    541.846.9900
    tastingroom@troonvineyard.com

    Troon Carlton Wine Bar
    250 N. Kutch Street
    Carlton, OR 97111
    503.852.3084
    carlton@troonvineyard.com

    Wine being poured into tasting glasses.

    Schmidt Family Vineyards

    Specialties: Big reds, country charm, wood-fired pizza, beautiful gardens, and Northwest ambience

    Wine and wine making have always been a passion for Cal Schmidt, and in 2000 with the purchase of the old Bennett Ranch on the fertile Kubli Bench, he and his wife Judy realized his lifelong dream of owning a vineyard.

    Schmidt Family Vineyards pond and path.

    What struck me most about Schmidt Family Vineyards was the care and attention that have been put creating a "complete experience." In addition to the vineyards themselves, there is a large, picturesque pond, several acres of herb and flower gardens, gazebos, and numerous walking paths for visitors to use as they unwind and enjoy in a beautiful, relaxing setting.

    picnic tables at vineyard
    Metal sunflowers in a row

    The Craftman-style tasting room at Schmidt Family Vineyards is absolutely stunning.

    Schmidt Family Winery - tasting room
    Schmidt Family Winery - bottles of wine

    In addition to their estate wines, Schmidt Family Vineyards offers a quality menu to enhance your wine tasting experience as well, with all food made to order using farm fresh ingredients. We found the wood-fired pizzas to be quite tasty! (Their website also shares recipes, complete with tasting notes!)

    Troon Vineyard - pizza and salad
    Gardens at Troon Vineyard
    Troon Vineyard - flock of chickens
    Troon Vineyard - close-up of chicken thru chicken wire

    Schmidt Family Vineyards

    330 Kubli Road
    Grants Pass, OR 97527
    541-846-9985

    schmidt@sfvineyards.com

    White grapes on the vine.

    Red Lily Vineyards

    Specialties: Spanish Centric Wines, scenic fall color, and cozy conversation. 

    Red Lily Vineyards is a small, family-owned winery committed to a single goal — producing the finest Spanish-inspired wines possible. Owners Les and Rachael Martin fell in love with Spanish wines years ago, and have "made it their life’s work to cultivate the highest quality wines possible."

    Fall leaves on ground with Red Lily Vineyards in the background

    Like all many of the vineyards in the Applegate Valley, you can visit Red Lily Vineyards anytime, but I highly recommend that you put them on your fall wine-tour itinerary when the autumn chill sets the grounds ablaze with vibrant color.

    Red Lily Vineyards - gate to winery
    Red Lily Vineyards - old bicycle with squashes in basket.

    Red Lily’s tasting room is a beautiful example of architectural reclamation. With views of both the valley and the Applegate River, this former feeder barn turned tasting room offers guests both inside and outside seating, an outdoor fireplace, and outdoor heaters to stay warm and cozy. When we visited, we found the prices to be reasonable and the tasting room staff extremely helpful.

    Red Lily Vineyards barn and large metal sculpture

    Wine flights are served in a test-tube rack, which initially seemed a bit strange, but as it turned out, made a very practical presentation.

    Unique flight service at Red Lily Winery
    Red Lily Vineyards - grapes on vines

    Varietals produced by Red Lily Vineyards include Albarino, Grenache, Tempranillo and Touriga Nacional.

    Red Lily Vineyards

    Les and Rachael Martin, Owners
    11777 Hwy. 238
    Jacksonville OR 97530

    Phone: (541) 846-6800
    Fax: (541) 846-0601
    info@redlilyvineyards.com

    Red Lily Vineyards

    Southern Oregon Travel

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    My visit to Wooldridge Creek, Schmidt, and Troon Wineries, including tastings, were complimentary as part of a Travel Oregon press trip. As always, all opinions and images are my own.

    Thank you for visiting the Good Hearted Woman. Remember to bookmark this site, and come back soon!

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    About Renée B.

    Renée is self-taught home chef with a penchant for creating healthy(ish) comfort food recipes, and adapting vintage recipes for the 21st century cook. In her spare time, she writes unfinished novels and songs about cowboys.

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    1. Tif says

      May 30, 2018 at 3:35 am

      I never knew that Oregon had wineries?! Just not what I knew it for! I would love to experience wineries here as it is different. They looked beautiful too!! But I would definitely have to try the pizza at Schmidt Family vineyards

      Reply
      • Renée ♥ says

        May 30, 2018 at 9:16 am

        Oregon wines are getting attention world-wide these days!

        Reply
    2. Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says

      May 29, 2018 at 9:02 pm

      So many wonderful wineries! Love Wooldridge Creek. I'll have to check out Red Lily Vineyards on my next trip down there!

      Reply
    3. Hillary Harper says

      May 29, 2018 at 8:43 pm

      Definitely going to take a little road trip with my husband over the summer and visiting some of these wineries! Your pictures are beautiful - thanks for sharing!

      Reply
    4. Catherine @ To & Fro Fam says

      May 29, 2018 at 1:49 pm

      Wooldridge looks like it would be my favorite too—if only for those pickled vegetables! I seriously cannot resist a good vinegar-pickled veggie. The wine is a bonus. 😉

      Reply
    5. Chelsea says

      May 29, 2018 at 12:24 pm

      They all look so beautiful! Can you believe I've never been to a winery? I need to visit one this summer!

      Reply
    6. Diana says

      May 29, 2018 at 11:05 am

      Oregon is on my bucket list! It looks so beautiful, will have to bookmark this in case we ever get to go!

      Reply
    7. Ruthie Ridley says

      May 29, 2018 at 10:42 am

      What an awesome location with so many great gems! I love a good winery!

      Reply
    8. Echo says

      May 29, 2018 at 10:11 am

      I love this and I am totally pinning it. I live in Bend, OR so this is not really that far for us to travel to enjoy, what sounds like, an amazing experience.

      Reply
      • Renée ♥ says

        May 29, 2018 at 12:27 pm

        I was just in Bend a few weeks ago. (Mr B is a big fan of Wubba's) I think you will love the Applegate Valley, too. There is so much to do and see there.

        Reply
    9. Avery Yaktus says

      May 29, 2018 at 9:37 am

      This looks like a BLAST!!! I need to go there ASAP. Beautiful photos 🙂

      Reply

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    Welcome to The Good Hearted Woman — a cozy corner of the internet where comfort food meets modern life. From heirloom recipes and easy weeknight dinners to seasonal dishes, homemade breads, and potluck favorites, we share the kind of food that brings people together.

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