The
Rogue Valley AVA includes the
drainage basin of the
Rogue River and several tributaries, including the
Illinois River, the
Applegate River, and
Bear Creek. Most wineries in the region are found in the valleys formed by one of these three tributaries, rather than along the Rogue River itself. The region is wide by long (though much of the land within the AVA is not suitable for grape cultivation); there are fewer than 20 wineries with only planted. Each river valley has a unique
terroir, and grows different varieties of grapes. Overall, however, this region is the warmest and driest of Oregon's winegrowing regions.
Illinois Valley The westernmost tributary is the Illinois River, which rises in southern
Josephine County, in the
Red Buttes Wilderness. The river flows generally northwest along the west side of the
Klamath Mountains, past
Cave Junction and
Kerby then through the
Siskiyou National Forest. It joins the Rogue River from the south on the
Curry–Josephine county line, approximately from the
Pacific Ocean. The region is marked by its high elevation and is significantly influenced by marine climates. The region is well suited for growing
Burgundy varietals, similar to those grown in the
Willamette Valley. The
Applegate River flows through the town of
Applegate and near the city of
Jacksonville, the location of Oregon's first winery (which has been restored and reopened as
Valley View Winery). This region contains vineyards at altitudes ranging from to
above sea level, and is warmer and drier than the Illinois Valley to the west, but less so than the Bear Creek Valley to the east. Grapes that thrive here include
Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon,
Syrah, Chardonnay and
Zinfandel, with Cabernet and Merlot being the dominant varietals.
Bear Creek Valley Bear Creek is the most populated of the Rogue River tributaries, as it flows through the cities of
Medford and
Ashland. Here, the valley floor is
above sea level, and the climate is warm and dry. The climate of the Bear Creek Valley is similar to that of
Bordeaux, and it is well suited for cultivating varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay,
Cabernet Franc, Pinot gris,
Sauvignon blanc,
Malbec and Syrah. Umpqua_River_basin_area.jpg |Umpqua River and tributaries Southwest Oregon rivers map.jpg |Rogue River and tributaries. The unlabeled eastern stream of the Illinois River is the Applegate River; Bear Creek is not shown but flows through the valley thru Medford Ruch, Oregon.jpg |Applegate Valley hillside vineyard == References ==