Jacksonville pioneer Peter Britt would be proud to witness the booming success of the local wine industry. In 1858 he decided that wine grapes might do well in the region, along with pears and peaches. He was so right. Swiss-born Peter Britt was drawn by the gold, but excelled as a photographer, horticulturist and lays claim to the title of first vintner in the Oregon Territory. Now, Jacksonville honors his legacy in style with a new Wine Trolley dedicated to supporting local commerce and the valley he loved.
The latest service offered by the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce is carrying carloads of happy wine enthusiasts from the Visitor Center (next to the Post Office) to seven area wineries plus highlighting three in town. All ten are members of the Wineries of Jacksonville alliance.
The Jacksonville Wine Trolley will make the rounds using a hub-and-spoke pattern, returning to the Visitor Center every 30 minutes and each winery every 90 minutes. Passengers will be given a route and schedule to plan their excursion and may hop on and off as they please, while touring through our scenic area at their own pace without the concern of driving.
Wineries included on the tour are: Hummingbird Estate and Rellik Winery; Daisy Creek Vineyard and Awen Winecraft; and DANCIN Vineyards, Dos Mariposas Vineyards, and the newest tasting room, Parkhurst Wine Cellars, opening soon. Jacksonville tasting rooms Anchor Valley Wine, South Stage Cellars, and Remotion Wine are not included in the trolley routes, but are all easily walkable from the trolley stop.
The trolley will begin with a Thursday-Sunday schedule, noon-6pm, which includes four visits to each winery during the day. Chamber president Brian Dunn had this to say. “From the Chamber’s perspective, we believe this service will create a vital connection between our local vineyards and downtown business community, leading to more business for our local retailers, restaurants, and overnight lodging partners.”
Eventually, they intend to provide a curated experience as part of this new service, adding commentary on the history of winemaking in the Rogue Valley, the local varieties of grapes that grow in this region, details on local climate and topography, and interesting highlights on the wineries they will be visiting.
Tickets are $25 for an all-day pass and may be purchased online from the Jacksonville Chamber website at jacksonvilletrolley.org.
There’s no other service like this in the Pacific Northwest. It’s the first of its kind and sure to catch on quickly. So, gather your pals and make a jolly day of it aboard the Jacksonville Wine Trolley.