Healthy Bite of the Applegate

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State legislation would allow operations such as Valley View Winery in the Applegate Valley to bring in up to 25 percent of their revenues from non-agricultural sources such as tastings and retail sales.file photo

April 15, 2012

By Janet Eastman

Mail Tribune

The Applegate Valley is a quilt of vineyards, meadows, streams and man-made entertainments, many of them hosted by tasting rooms on the Applegate Wine Trail.

In the spring and fall, wine producers open their doors for the Uncorked Barrel Tour, and 400 ticket- holders spend the day sampling mellowing tempranillo and cabernet carefully paired with dishes made from locally grown ingredients. Many visitors book a chauffeured ride from tour companies or stay the night.

But there are thrills offered every day in this inviting, mountain-embraced region. And who better to guide us to must-see places, must-do activities and must-taste wine and food than the wine pros who raise their families and plant their grapes and tasting rooms here?

SEE

Walking trails and tasting rooms offer views of the stunning natural landscape.

Schmidt Family Vineyards has carriage rides that slowly pass a forest, a dove aviary and flower and herb gardens. During the summer and fall, up to 200,000 sunflowers sprout up in front of merlot and syrah grapes.

Kara Olmo of Wooldridge Creek Winery and Vineyard recommends a secret escape: "Park at the top of Slagle Creek Road and follow the Enchanted Forest Trail past the gates to a world of old-growth trees and undisturbed meadows."

When it's warm, there usually is a paraglider or two floating above Fiasco Winery and Fly High and LongSword vineyards, and wine drinkers outside try to predict where they will land. Hundreds of pilots appear in the sky on Memorial Day weekend for the Starthistle Fly-in and during June's U.S. National Championship.

Animals abound, too. Hawks fly over many vineyards, Serra Vineyards has a slightly wacky "watch-goose" named Viktor and Plaisance Ranch is home to cows, goats, sheep, horses and Mr. Cooper, an Australian shepherd.

Bill and Barbara Steele of Cowhorn Vineyard & Garden enjoy watching for bald eagles after a fresh snow and visiting the animals at the care facility Sanctuary One.

DO

Swim at Applegate Lake, put your feet in the Applegate River at Cantrall-Buckley Park, have a picnic at any tasting room or settle into a lounge chair at Red Lily's sandy beach.

Hike to see the wooden Bigfoot trap built in the 1970s near the Applegate dam. Play bocce ball and croquet at Troon Vineyard, and stay for lunch or dinner at Troon to Table.

Attend Fiasco Winery's Fiasco Fridays, Plaisance Ranch's Wine Down barn gatherings and other live musical performances with wine and food for sale.

STAY

Imagine waking up after a day of wine tasting in a comfy bed with a view of vineyards.

Jillian and Ryan Garrett's Applegate Valley Apothecary Inn (830 Upper Applegate Road, Jacksonville, 541-899-3998, www.apothecaryinn.com) is an art- and antiques-filled ranch house with two suites overlooking Valley View Winery's vineyards.

The Holstrom family built the plantation-style Applegate Valley Ranch Bed and Breakfast (13100 N. Applegate Road, Grants Pass, 541-846-0353, http://applegatevalleyranch.com) seven years ago on land neighboring vineyards and wineries. On Thursdays during the summer, there's a not-to-miss barbecue.

EAT

Experience a Farm to Fork dinner with linen tables set in vineyards and fields, and hosted by a farmer, grower or producer. The multicourse meals prepared by Chef Matthew Domingo are expertly paired with regional wines.

Taste Cowhorn's biodynamic asparagus, seasonal produce by Whistling Duck Farm and preserves and pies from Pennington Farms.

Order picnic-perfect hot roast beef sandwiches and pizzas from Café Ruch or anything on the locavore menus at My Way Café in Ruch or the Fulcrum Dining truck at Wooldridge Creek Winery on Sundays (call ahead to arrange a picnic table). Italian cuisine is offered at Trattoria Fiasco at Fiasco Winery.

Troon Vineyard makes mustard, Plaisance Ranch sells organic beef, Schmidt Family Vineyards has flat bread pizzas made with homegrown tomatoes, and Shibui Sauce, a balsamic vinegar reduction made in Talent, is sold at many of the tasting rooms.

TASTE

Don't leave the tasting room without trying:

• 2007 Emeritus cabernet sauvignon-merlot blend at Academy of Wine, 18200 Highway 238, Grants Pass, 541-846-6817
• 2010 Pinot Grigio at Bridgeview Winery, 16995 N. Applegate Road, Grants Pass, 541-846-1039, www.bridgeviewwine.com
• 2008 Syrah 74 at Cowhorn Vineyard & Garden, 1665 Eastside Road, Jacksonville, 541-899-6876, www.cowhornwine.com
• 2006 Cabernet Franc at Cricket Hill Winery, 2131 Little Applegate Road, Jacksonville, 541-899-7264, www.crickethillwinery.com
• 2007 Shiraz Steelhead Run at Devitt Winery, 11412 Highway 238, Jacksonville, 541-899-7511, www.devittwinery.com
• 2010 Super Tuscan at Fiasco Winery, 8035 Highway 238, Jacksonville, 541-846-3022, www.fiascowinery.com
• Accolade Sparkling Chardonnay at Fly High and LongSword vineyards, 8555 Highway 238, Jacksonville, 541-899-1746, http://fhlv.net
• Flights of sparkling wine at John Michael Champagne Cellars, 1425 Humbug Creek Road, Jacksonville, 541-846-0810, www.johnmichaelwinery.com
• Rouge Prestige mondeuse at Plaisance Ranch, 16955 Water Gap Road, Williams, 541-846-7175, www.plaisanceranch.com
• 2006 Red Lily Tempranillo at Red Lily Vineyards, 11777 Highway 238, Jacksonville, 541-846-6800, www.redlilyvineyards.com
• 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon at Rosella's Vineyard, 184 Missouri Flat Road, Grants Pass, 541-846-6372, www.rosellasvineyard.com
• Soulea Red Estate Blend at Schmidt Family Vineyards, 330 Kubli Road, Grants Pass, 541-846-9985, www.sfvineyards.com
• 2010 Chardonnay, 2006 Pinot Noir and 2007 Syrah at Serra Vineyards, 222 Missouri Flat Road, Grants Pass, 541-846-9223, www.serravineyard.com
• 2008 29 Degrees Syrah at Soloro Vineyard, 9110 N. Applegate Road, Grants Pass, 541-862-2693, http://solorovineyard.com
• Zinfandels, summer Vermentino and Dry Riesling at Troon Vineyard, 1475 Kubli Road, Grants Pass, 541-846-9900, www.troonvineyard.com
• 2008 Anna Maria Tempranillo at Valley View Winery, 1000 Upper Applegate Road, Jacksonville, 541-899-8468, http://valleyviewwinery.com
• Sparkling wine at Wooldridge Creek Winery and Vineyard, 818 Slagle Creek Road, Grants Pass, 541-846-6364, http://wcwinery.com

Reach reporter Janet Eastman at 541-776-4465 or jeastman@mailtribune.com

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