Illinois Valley WineTrail

Pluck out the map before venturing to the Illinois Valley WineTrail. Yes, you need to know that the quickest way there is through Grants Pass, but WineTrail adventurers also need to see the proximity of the Illinois Valley to the Pacific Ocean. Of the Rogue’s wine-growing valleys, the Illinois Valley is the coolest in temperature and lowest in elevation. Translation: get ready to enjoy cool-weather grapes.

Given the cool climes and the size of their vineyards, it's little wonder that Bridgeview Vineyards is one of the state’s largest producers of pinot noir, pinot gris, and riesling. But it would be a mistake for visitors to believe that all the wines they will experience are of the cool weather variety. Both Bridgeview Vineyards and Foris Vineyards Winery produce a host of other Bordeaux and Rhone style varieties. However, all four wineries that are part of the Illinois Valley WineTrail (the three aforementioned plus Windridge Vineyard) produce pinot noir. Your challenge, dear WineTrail trekker, is to sample their pinot noir and compare it to those of the Willamette Valley or other wine-growing regions of the world that your tongue is familiar with. I suspect that you will cart off a few bottles for the cellar back home.