The Southern Oregon World of Wine today announced that it will be moving to Jacksonville and expanding from a single day event into a multiday festival. “Jacksonville offers a more centralized location and the ability to expand, as well as being a gateway to the area’s wonderful wine regions,” said Chairman Lee Mankin. “The historically rich setting also offers numerous unique shops and restaurants that will enrich the festival, while at the same time providing much needed meeting facilities and convenient lodging.” The festival will be held the week of August 22nd, culminating in the Grand Tasting on the evening of Saturday, August 27th.

In addition to the Grand Tasting, the expanded festival will include sensory wine tasting and wine pairing seminars, educational programs and a gala dinner and live auction. These events, planned throughout the week, are aimed at educating and engaging every wine lover. Additional details regarding these events will be announced in the coming weeks. The Southern Oregon World of Wine Festival has been the Rogue Valley ’s premier wine festival for the past eight years. The event, which always sells out, showcases some 40-plus wineries annually, with more than 750 attendees at the Grand Tasting. The wine competition portion of the festival brings in notable judges from outside the area, increasing attention on this burgeoning wine region. The festival seeks to promote not just the Southern Oregon wine industry, but all of Southern Oregon by creating an exciting and unique event that ties together local businesses and the community, while benefiting charities.