Wine Tours of the Umpqua Valley
WE PROUDLY FEATURE WINES OF THE UMPQUA VALLEY
Oregon wines reflect the essence of the land where they grow and the people who craft them. The soils, the weather and the gentle sunny slopes in Oregon enable wine grapes to ripen slowly during the summer and fall and to develop exquisite flavors. The people who create Oregon wine are families, farmers, artisans and good stewards of this special land. Among these people are visionaries and pioneers with a passion for outstanding wines. Even Oregon's largest wineries are small by world standards, hence the wines are truly handcrafted reflections of the wine makers and the land. The modern era of grape growing in Oregon began in the Umpqua Valley with the first commercial planting of fine wine grapes northwest of Roseburg in 1961. Today, family owned artisan wineries are creating wines of distinctive quality and character that are receiving international acclaim for the Umpqua Valley.
River's Edge
WHERE: 1395 River Drive, Elkton
OPEN: Daily from Memorial Day through Labor Day
FEATURED WINES: Pinot noir, pinot gris, Gewürztraminer
OWNERS: Mike and Vonnie Landt
LAST WORD: Pinot noir has been probably the main catalyst in drawing both wine drinkers and winemakers to Elkton.
“I anticipated demand for pinot noir would accelerate,” Mike Landt said. “It’s exceeded whatever wild dreams I’ve had. It’s just taken off here.”
INFORMATION: (541) 584-2357 or www.riversedgewinery.com
Bradley Vineyards
WHERE: 1000 Azalea Drive, Elkton
OPEN: Wednesday through Sunday from Memorial Day to Thanksgiving
OWNERS: John and Bonnie Bradley
FEATURED WINES: Pinot noir, dry Riesling, off-dry Riesling, baco noir
LAST WORD: While many winegrowers targeted Elkton for its ability to grow pinot noir, John Bradley said it’s also an area that should be promoted for its ability to grow Riesling.
“The Riesling grapes are just wonderful,” he said. “We grow it very well here in Elkton.”
INFORMATION: (541) 584-2888 www.bradleyvineyards.com
Brandborg Vineyard and Winery
WHERE: 345 First St., Elkton
OPEN: Daily from Memorial Day through harvest and most weekends or by appointment the rest of the year
OWNERS: Terry and Sue Brandborg
FEATURED WINES: Pinot noir, pinot gris, pinot blanc, Gewürztraminer, Riesling, syrah, port of pinot
LAST WORD: The Brandborgs have grown their winery production six-fold since 2002. Their success comes from a lot of hard work promoting their name and the Umpqua Valley, along with two other important qualities.
“Not only are we risk-takers,” Sue Brandborg said, “we’re dreamers.”
INFORMATION: (541) 584-2870 or www.brandborgwine.com
Anindor Vineyards
OPEN: The plan is to have a winery and tasting room opened within the year
OWNERS: Rod and Nina Pace
FEATURED WINES: Pinot noir, Riesling, pinot gris, Gewürztraminer
LAST WORD: After Anindor Vineyards earned a gold medal by professional judges at the 2007 Greatest of the Grape in Canyonville, Nina Pace said she thought about all the help they had received in getting started from the other Elkton winemakers.
“I think it was kind of a community award,” she said. “I was excited for Elkton.”
INFORMATION: (541) 584-2637 or www.anindor.com