Are you curious about the local wine buzz, but a lack of wine know-how prevents you from diving in? Or maybe you’re well acquainted with the bounty our area has to offer in wines but want to check out a few new labels. Either way, Uncorked is the answer.
On Saturday, November 23rd, from 11:00am-4:00pm, the friendly folks along the Applegate Valley Wine Trail throw open their doors, uncork barrels and welcome all comers to a scenic and sumptuous fall tour. The Applegate Valley, along Hwy 238 out of Jacksonville, is home to one of the most beautiful wine regions anywhere. An experience as fun and relaxing as winetasting should never be intimidating. Visiting one of many picturesque tasting rooms snugged throughout the area is a singular treat. But having eighteen choices is indeed a smorgasbord.
“Uncorked is an event that happens twice a year up in the Applegate Valley Wine Trail,” Laurel Briggs, Marketing Director for the event explained. “It’s the opportunity for all of the wineries to showcase their new wines for the season. What’s kind of neat about Uncorked is it’s a wine and food event but you do get to sample a tasting straight from the barrel before it comes to market. It’s a fun opportunity.”
A modest $49 ticket to Uncorked, a biannual event, buys entrance to any or all of the eighteen-member Applegate Valley Wine Trail tasting rooms. Just choose a starting point, collect your specially-engraved, commemorative wine glass, and cruise along at your own pace. There is no charge for designated drivers, and they’re more than welcome to enjoy the food.
Each winery highlights one or two wines, and many afford an opportunity to try a fledgling vintage straight from the barrel before being marketed to the general public. That’s not all. Each variety is paired with the perfectly selected, delicious bite—from Andalusia Gypsy Stew to Baked Bree and Peach Pepper Jelly. Pairings change each year, so visit their website at www.applegatewinetrail.com/events to purchase tickets and view this year’s offerings. In addition to fun, food and wine, gain club member status for a day and purchase any wine at a 15% discount…perfect for gifts and stocking up to serve at holiday gatherings and intimate suppers.
Each winery claims a unique atmosphere, showcasing different varietals, philosophies and growing techniques. They range in size from small, family–run operations to larger, well-established concerns with many helpers involved in the process. Owners and winemakers are usually on site during Uncorked to answer questions and aid in educating visitors about the love and art of viticulture and winemaking.
Participating wineries are as follows in alphabetical order: The Academy, Apricity Vineyard, Augustino Estate, Cricket Hill Winery, Devitt Winery, LongSword Winery, John Michael Champagne Cellars, Plaisance Ranch, Red Lily Vineyards, Rosella’s, Schmidt Family Vineyards, Schultz Wines, Soloro, Troon Vineyards, Valley View Vineyards, Walport Family Cellars, Wild Wines, and Wooldridge Creek Winery.
“It’s our goal to express the distinctive nature of the Applegate AVA,” Craig Camp, general manager at Troon Vineyard and president of the Applegate Valley Vintners Association talks about why Applegate wine is special. “Since 2000 we’ve been a legally defined American Viticulture Area, a special district given only to wine areas that have distinctive characteristics. At Uncorked we are looking to communicate the distinctive style of the Applegate Valley wineries. Applegate is one of the rare places in the New World where you can make wine in the European style, which means higher acidity and low alcohol yet with rich flavors. That’s because of the character of the growing season here. We get some of the warmth California does, but we get much shorter, cooler falls which allow the grapes to hang and develop flavors while still keeping the sugar low, lower alcohol and higher acid. So, a more classical style variety, which is unique to Oregon and particularly Applegate Valley for the varieties we grow here.”
For a self-indulgent holiday season lead-in, the calm before the storm, as it were, how about treating yourself and a friend or several to an Applegate Valley wine stroll? And if, by chance, it rains, what could be cozier than motoring through the countryside, enjoying a final helping of leaf color, and ducking inside a warm and welcoming tasting room where food and libations await?
And remember, there are no wine snobs here. The best wine is the wine you like. Enjoy the adventure, and find your favorites at Uncorked.