For many of us living in Southern Oregon, we have always known the area was destined for great things. The natural beauty of the landscape, the spirit of place and solidarity of community are the heart of our quality of life. It is what brings people here and keeps most from leaving. And until recently, it was a bit of a secret. But all that is about to change! In wine language, Southern Oregon is in bud break.
People have long sought-out pears and apples and artisan foods from this area without the awareness of where ‘this area’ really is. Cultural arts and theater have flourished, historic preservation thrived, and wellness lifestyle endured. We’ve got it all and now adding to the blend, Oregon Wine Experience (OWE) and Asante Foundation are opening the door to Oregon’s newest destination wine event. The fruit is on the vine.
In 2002, the World of Wine Festival (WOW) was founded by three local vintners, Cal Schmidt of Schmidt Family Vineyards, Lee Mankin of Carpenter Hill Vineyard, and Joe Ginet of Plaisance Ranch, as a celebration of the local wine industry. From the beginning, the festival has been a community partnership of wineries and vineyards, Rogue Valley Growers, Southern Oregon Winery Association, various Southern Oregon Wine Trails and a 100% volunteer event. In 2005, a wine competition was started. WOW became Southern Oregon’s largest wine tasting event as participants and attendees increased each year. The seeds were planted for possibilities and continued growth.
Asante Foundation took the reins in 2014 to provide a local fundraising event. As the region’s premier wine tasting event and competition, many events sold-out. There were 1,140 total attendees, 700 for the Grand Tasting alone, the festival brought in almost $300,000 that directly benefited Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) and other healthcare programs supported by Asante Foundation.
This year is expected to be even more extraordinary!
As Oregon’s newest wine destination, Southern Oregon and OWE offer a pilgrimage of the senses like nothing here before. Talks, tastings and sensory classes, intimate vintner dinners, the wine competition and auctions, all make-up the experience that is Southern Oregon wine.
Ancient traditions blend in the Miracle Auction and Salmon Bake. Destined to be the gourmet outdoor buffet of the season, with music and dancing under starlit skies, the heart of this evening is in sharing the bounty of the land and waters through community.
The wine competition offers healthy community competition for local vintners, as well. Many Southern Oregon wines have received numerous accolades and awards from a variety of regional, national and international competitions. Oregon Wine Experience rounds-out the event with their own wine competition featuring wine industry-renowned tasters and experts judging this area’s finest varietals and blends. The possibilities of taste and sensory experience are endless.
The Vintner Dinners and Grand Tasting offer opportunities to get up-close and personal with some of the local winemakers and growers. Vibrancy and laughter will prevail, along with stories and memories that will stay with you for a very long time to come.
Oregon Wine Experience—the event of the season… a celebration in the giving of life, the delights of the senses and a pillar in community strength. Destiny is at our door…come share the experience that is Southern Oregon.
For more information, please visit theoregonwineexperience.com.
This article is from the Summer 2015 issue of Southern Oregon Wine Scene magazine.