For wine connoisseurs, family farm fans, paragliders, hikers, and wanderlust adventurers, the Applegate Valley, is a wonderland waiting to fulfill each type of traveler’s dreams. 

Located in Southern Oregon, within the Rouge Valley and the 275,000 acres of Southern Oregon American Viticulture Area (AVA), the Applegate Valley extends along the Applegate River, near Grants Pass, Oregon. (It’s 50 miles north of the California border.) The twisty country roads lead to glorious backdrop views of the Siskiyou Mountains and a vibrant artistic rural community highlighted by farmland and vineyards.

Wineries and Vineyards

The Southern Oregon AVA is gaining recognition as ‘the next big thing’ because of its Mediterranean-like climate, an increased focus on sustainable, high-quality winemaking practices, and the freedom to explore new grape varieties. There are currently 19 unique wineries producing a diverse mix of handcrafted wines and even ciders. Since growing season is short due to warm days and cold nights, the Applegate Valley AVA is known for its intermediate grapes which ripen quickly. 

In 2007, Carla David launched Wild Wines, located on 12.9-acres across along the Little Applegate River. It offers artisanal herbal wines crafted with wildflowers, berries, and fruits; many of the ingredients are cultivated on the farm or purchased from nearby farms. David sees the wines as part of her ‘food as medicine’ philosophy and says the plants she uses in her wines have medicinal benefits. The small-scale wines are primarily dry and not the expected sweet fruit wine. Some standouts include ginger, peach, rosehips, and peach. Wild Wines also offers a rentable guesthouse that includes complimentary wine tasting as part of the stay.

A mutual love for wine sparked Jake and Jenny O’Brien’s connection, ultimately leading them to purchase the 12-acre property where Wanderlust Vineyard sits. The micro-tasing room opened in 2024 and offers guests a 30-minute paired tasting experience with the winemakers or an independent outdoor experience with a glass or bottle. While wine tasting, guests can choose a favorite vinyl record to play, giving their experience a personalized soundtrack. Wines include: grenache, rose, Syrah, Gruner, and viognier. Guests can also reserve the Wanderlust Vineyard cottage as part of the wine country experience.

 Red Lily Vineyards began in 2001 as a romantic dream conjured up by Les and Rachael Martin. That romantic notion has since transformed into the understanding that winemaking is a farmer’s business, but the romance still shows up in the tasting room. Red Lilly Vineyard uses sustainable farming practices and hand labor to produce the Spanish tempranillo wines. They also produce verdejo, a white grape from the Rueda region in Spain, grenache and graciano, and plan to blend those grapes with tempranillo. The winery’s labels are custom made and often include creative references to the owner’s children.

In 1972, Dick and Virginia Troon planted the first grapes at Troon Vineyard. In 2016, Texas residents Bryan and Denise White purchased the 100-acre vineyard and began converting it into Oregon’s only biodynamic and regenerative organic certified winery and farm. The cabernet and zin grapes were pulled, and a much more biodiverse estate began. With this type of organic agriculture, no chemicals are used throughout the entire process. It goes further by applying naturally produced compost to build their soil’s microbiome. Troon Vineyards are only fermented with natural yeasts and don’t include any additives. The estate now includes apple trees, a vegetable garden, grazing sheep, honeybees, a couple of Great Pyrenees, and chickens.

This artisanal vineyard offers a variety of red wines (Syrah, Mourvèdre, Tannat, Malbec, and Grenache), white wines (Vermentino, Marsanne, Roussanne, and Grenache Blanc), sparkling wines, blends, and even a tasty orange wine which is a blended wine made from Riesling, Vermentino, and Viognier. Troon Vineyards also offers a VRBO vacation rental house on site.

Cideries

Finally, in 2018, Jeremy Hall and Erin Chaparro founded Blossom Barn Cidery. By 2020, they converted it into an eco-friendly, solar-powered perry orchard. The tasting room opened in 2022, offering farm fresh hard ciders made from Oregon-grown pears. The 15-acre farm pear varietals include Barland, Romanian, Bosc, and Comice. In addition to the pear orchard, the farm also hosts two miniature donkeys, sheep, and the occasional barn cat.

Organic Farms and Restaurants

While navigating the windy backcountry roads, it’s hard to miss the farmhouses dotting the beautiful countryside. Organic farming is popular here and whether you’re craving raspberry jam, baked goods, spicy kimchi, specialty chocolates, or a French gourmet meal, the Applegate Valley doesn’t disappoint.

Some highlights include Pennington Farms, known for its sweet and savory turnovers, fresh pies, and a friendly barn cat aptly named Barney 2; and Whistling Duck Farm, a 30-year-old, 22-acre farmstead and organic grocery store that sells local and regional natural foods.

CST. Bistro’s chef Paul Becking prepared food with Julia Child and it shows in his French-inspired cuisine (the crab cakes and roasted Brussels sprouts are divine); The Miners’ Bazaar is a 150-year-old house that serves as an eclectic arthouse and café; and the GoodBean is a thriving coffee shop that offers excellent avocado toast, bagels, and of course, coffee.

Apple Outlaw is a new cider taphouse that promises outdoor entertainment, supportive community, and a full breakfast and dinner menu; Creekside Café Pizza and Pastaria serves authentic Italian dishes and waterfront views; and The Lindsay Lodge is a redwood river lodge. The restaurant’s elevated pan-seared salmon is almost as memorable as its Applegate River views.

A Paragliders Paradise

Woodrat Mountain, a popular spot in Ruch, Oregon, is known as one of the top destinations in the United States for paragliding and hang gliding. Located 3,700 feet above the Applegate Valley, these free-flight sports are powered by thermal lift — thermals are pockets of heat that rise from the Earth and keep the gliders floating. Woodrat Mountain provides extended thermic conditions so that gliders can spend more time in the air than in other locations. The Rat Route is a six-day, non-competitive annual event held at Woodrat Mountain that hosts morning and evening cross-country flights.

Hiking Trails

There are three mountain ranges that converge in the Applegate Valley: the Coast Range, Siskiyous, and Cascades. The hiking trails are vast and have been named with the Oregon Signature Trail status which means they are consistently maintained, easy to navigate, and take into consideration transportation and lodging. These hot, dry trails provide a glimpse into desert sage landscapes, waterfalls, canyons, and even old-growth trees.

The Applegate Valley Spirit

Amidst this peaceful landscape, there is a palatable pioneer spirit alive and kicking in this special pocket of Oregon. Whether you maintain conservative or hippie-leaning tendencies, there is a distinct entrepreneurial drive that is powering this unique area. There is a true connection to the soil that grounds its people and can even change a visitor’s state of mind, if they give it a chance.

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Cover photo courtesy Autumn Rhea Carpenter

Autumn Rhea Carpenter is a native Texan who now calls Portland, Oregon home. She’s a longtime journalist who is always looking for the next big adventure. Follow her on Instagram @autumnrcarpenter.