SOUTHERN OREGON WINE SCENE AND JACKSONVILLE REVIEW EXCLUSIVE!

A new upscale housing development at the entrance to historic Jacksonville now presents a unique opportunity for those interested in living within the environs of a vineyard setting. The Vineyards at Stage Pass project represents a vision by Stephen Gambee, CEO of Stage Pass Development, Inc. to create a very special lifestyle experience on the family’s legacy property. The vineyard-themed concept is part of the Planned Use Development approved some years ago. The plan evolved over many years while Stephen visited DANCIN Vineyards and met owners Dan and Cindy Marca. In 2014, Stage Pass Development purchased land adjacent to DANCIN and added it to its holdings. Shortly thereafter, Dan approached Stephen about possibly planting a portion of that newly acquired land with grape vines, to significantly expand DANCIN’s availability of estate quality fruit.

The Vineyards at Stage Pass will offer residential lots located in an enclave just west of the main entrance to DANCIN Vineyards on South Stage Road. Gambee noted that, “The development involves 3 separate clusters of estate lots. Phase 1 called, The Vineyards, is comprised of 10 lots from 2-3.3 acres. Phase 2, called The Highlands, will offer 14 lots, to be released at a future date along with Phase 3, The Terraces, offering 3 lots. The Stage Pass project is platted on a portion of the family’s holdings on the east boundary of Jacksonville. A portion of the site was formerly operated as South Stage Landfill. As a Planned Use Development, only a fraction of the acreage will be dedicated to housing, with a majority, including the landfill reclamation area, providing permanent open space, surrounded by vineyards and forest and bisected by hiking and walking trails.

By late November, after a final plat map and infrastructure improvements are complete, Gambee says lot prices will be available for The Vineyards. Because homeowners will be able to work with their own designer, architect and homebuilder, the look and feel of the area will be upscale and unique. The housing area will be serviced by Pacific Power electric, Avista natural gas, Charter cable and high speed data, and water provided by community wells, which are already in-place. A to-be-built stately stone-columned entrance will be gated and accessible from a new street off South Stage Road called, “Stage Pass Road.” If all goes according to schedule, Gambee says the first lot purchasers may break ground as soon as April 2017.

Thanks to a unique concept brought to fruition by Gambee, 4 of the 10 lots at The Vineyards at Stage Pass are partially planted with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wine grapes. “This is a once in a lifetime chance to literally live amongst the vines,” Gambee excitedly notes. “With 4 of the lots encompassing 3 acres of planted vines, homeowners will be given an option to purchase grapes grown on their own land…and have Dan harvest, custom crush and bottle one’s very own estate wine label for them!” says Gambee. The concept is believed to be the first of its kind in the state of Oregon. For those not building on lots abutting the vineyard, they’ll be treated to DANCIN vineyard views surrounding their home as well as to views of Quail Run Vineyards, directly east of The Vineyards.

At present, the DANCIN Vineyards footprint encompasses 27 acres, all planted to Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes. “An added benefit to working together,” says Dan Marca, “is that our vineyard is now able to grow more estate grapes on the very same soil types, within the same unique terroir as our original plantings…and knowing that all of our fruit will be of the same consistent quality is very important to DANCIN.” Thanks to the contiguous nature of having all vineyard plantings sited on similarly sited properties as the tasting room and winery operations, is yet another benefit, according to Marca.

Stephen Gambee notes, “Dan’s attention to detail and passion for customer service is what caught my attention and is in complete alignment with our company philosophy…for homeowners, the experience of building a custom home at The Vineyards at Stage Pass will be on-par with enjoying your time at DANCIN.”

For more information on the Estates at Stage Pass, please visit www.stagepassoregon.com and please see their ad on this page.