Rosella's Vineyard

Rex Garoutte is blessed with the most amazing laugh; a laugh reflecting his positive attitude toward life and pure joy of living in Applegate Valley. Rex and his wife, Sandi, moved here in 1998 from the Bay Area, a return to Sandi’s childhood home in Oregon. As Rex puts it, “It was a lifestyle decision. I just wanted to grow grapes.” And growing grapes he does very well, on a 10-acre plot of land located off Missouri Flat Road in rural Grants Pass. He would not have it any other way.

The winery’s name is homage to Rex’s mother, Rosella, who died of cancer in 1998. He grew up in Washington’s agricultural breadbasket, the Yakima Valley. Those agrarian roots serve him well. Producing only 600 cases of wine per year, Rex refers to himself the “garagiste” of the Applegate Valley. However, the fact that his winery is small adds to the intimacy and charm WineTrail trekkers experience at Rosella’s Vineyard. His modest goal is to increase production to around 1,000 cases annually — a drop in the bucket by most winery standards.

While working in San Francisco, prior to the Garouttes’ move north, Rex crafted homemade beer that friends and family found quite satisfying. His passion for fermenting things led to coursework in University of California–Davis’ viticulture and enology program. After this, it was only fitting that the next step would be to grow premium grapes and make wine.

Along with Rex’s good-natured demeanor, visitors get to experience a robust line-up of estate wines, including chardonnay, merlot, a merlot-zinfandel blend, and a “fun wine” blend of merlot and cabernet sauvignon called Ula Waina (Hawaiian for “red wine”). There is no tasting fee. What’s more, with wines priced in the $15–$19 range, there are values galore at Rosella’s Vineyard.

While it’s easy to marvel at the surrounding beauty of the area as you sip Rosella’s Vineyards complimentary wines, don’t overlook the label on the bottle designed by local artist Morgan Johnson. The artist titled the painting “Picnic,” and his carefree strokes and use of vibrant colors pair perfectly with the relaxed disposition of Rex and this personable winery. While you trek along the Applegate Valley WineTrail, be sure to budget time for this gem of a winery.