Historic Jacksonville and its abundance of wineries once again will serve as the scenic backdrop for the annual Oregon Wine Experience. As people from across the country and around the world travel to our beautiful hamlet for the event, vintners will present their signature wines and chefs will prepare their culinary delights.
“Everyone who attends or participates in the event plays an important role in transforming health care in Southern Oregon,” said Andrea Reeder, Asante Foundation Campaign Director. “Funds raised at Oregon Wine Experience benefit Children’s Miracle Network and other local health care programs including cancer, cardiac, pediatrics, mental health, surgical services, emergency services and critical care.”
Over the next several years, community support through Oregon Wine Experience will help generate $15 million or more to create the new children’s hospital-within-a-hospital at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center. “This is a new concept in Southern Oregon that will allow children to receive advanced medical care close to home and remain near their family,” Reeder said.
Last year, the pandemic caused all Oregon Wine Experience in-person events to be canceled, causing the event to go online and virtual. Even so, the community supported the new format and raised $1.1 million, with all funds staying local to benefit people needing health services in Southern Oregon.
“Like many other groups, we had to quickly modify our plans, and the online offerings turned out to be a huge success,” said Desirae MacGillivray-Myers, Asante Foundation Communications and Marketing Manager. “We had hundreds of virtual attendees from across the country—people who otherwise would not have been able to participate—who were able to share in the fun.”
Oregon Wine Experience also has had an enormous impact on the local economy. In 2019 when large groups were able to gather, more than 5,000 people attended the week-long event held at the Bigham Knoll campus in Jacksonville with more than 100 wineries and 22 culinary partners participating.
“We had guests from 18 states beyond Oregon,” MacGillivray-Myers said. “That’s a lot of booked hotel rooms and vacation rentals, as well as restaurant meals and local shopping.”
This year, several physical gatherings will be offered again on the Bigham Knoll campus as well as some of the popular virtual options so people can enjoy the event safely in person and from the comfort of their home. “We’re thrilled to bring back some of the social events that people love to attend, although on a smaller scale,” MacGillivray-Myers said.
Oregon Wine Experience takes place August 23-29. Visit www.theoregonwineexperience.com for event information. The event is part of the AsanteForward campaign to raise at least $50 million over the next several years to transform the quality, scope and accessibility of health care for the people in our local communities.