Southern Oregon is known as an exceptional wine region. And the Rogue River Valley is known for its diverse landscape that offers thrill seekers the opportunity to explore. At the center of it all? Grants Pass.
If you’re heading south on Interstate 5, which runs from Washington in the north through Oregon and into California, you’ll hit Grants Pass about an hour before you cross into California. As the interstate bends southeast, it follows the famed Rogue River, offering the perfect reason to explore the area, whether you’re breaking up a longer trip or making Grants Pass the destination for a multiday excursion.
With the river running through this charming town, a vibrant art scene, close access to wineries within the Rogue Valley and Applegate Valley AVAs, and plenty of outdoor opportunities to feed a craving for adventure, Grants Pass is the ideal hub to embrace the beauty and bounty of the area and to discover all that Southern Oregon has to offer.
Wander through wine tasting
Grants Pass is located in the Rogue Valley AVA, which highlights multiple wine routes including the Applegate Valley. Take a short drive south from downtown and make Augustino Estate & Vineyard your first stop. Inside the Big Red Barn you’ll find a focus on white and red Pinots. Just down the road, head to Wooldridge Creek to visit Oregon’s first winery and creamery. The estate winery pours Tempranillo, Malbec and Chardonnay to pair with its handmade cheeses on a vibrant patio overlooking the vineyard. Two miles away, Troon Vineyard is Regenerative Organic Certified as they use biodynamic winegrowing and farming practices in the vineyards. Troon continues to surprise and delight with varietals such as Vermentino and Roussanne, along with a stunning orange wine and pet-nat program. To round out the afternoon, take a tour and try wine from the barrel at Schmidt Family Vineyards, a three-generation winemaking family pouring Barbera, Zinfandel and Albariño made from grapes grown in their estate vineyard.
Imbibe and dine
While Grants Pass is in the heart of southern Oregon’s wine country, there are other options for beer and cider lovers. If you’ve never tried perry before — a drink made from perry pears — Blossom Barn Cidery is an excellent place to start. Downtown, Steam Distillery is pouring handcrafted vodka and gin along with craft cocktails in its steampunk-themed space, while Weekend Beer Company offers plenty of family and pet-friendly outdoor space to grab a beer to pair with lunch or dinner from one of the multiple food trucks on-site.
Of course, a visit to the Rogue Valley wouldn’t be complete without a stop at Rogue Creamery Dairy — Oregon’s most famed artisan creamery which continues to take home international awards for its blue cheese. While you’re at the dairy, you can tour the farm, say hello to the cows and order a grilled cheese to enjoy outside at a picnic table.
For dinner, snag a seat at The Twisted Cork, a downtown bistro offering regionally focused wine flights to pair with your meal. At Partake, locally sourced ingredients are utilized to craft a food and wine pairing menu for both omnivores and herbivores. You can also order à la carte and choose a bottle from their expansive, Wine Spectator-award-winning wine list.
Get outside
Opportunities to explore the great outdoors abound in Grants Pass, with close proximity to beautiful surroundings being a major benefit. With the Rogue River running through town, it’s easy to get out on the water. Consider reserving a jet boat tour or book time with a whitewater rafting guide. Prefer something that will keep you dry? There’s access to nearby mountain biking and hiking trails year-round. For those hoping to stay closer to town, take a self-guided tour to view nearby public art. The Public Art Walking Map highlights 24 different murals and counting, sculptures and art-wrapped utility boxes within just a few blocks. Duck into local shops, grab a latte at The Lonely Pine coffee shop or peruse the Grants Pass Museum of Art while you’re out and about.
Must-see events
Want to plan your visit around a specific event? Art Along The Rogue is an annual celebration gathering professional chalk artists who put on a colorful show. The artists use chalk as their medium to dress up downtown, often sticking to a unique theme. The festival runs annually the first weekend in October, with a live music lineup across three days.
November is the ideal time to visit the Applegate Valley for the annual Uncorked Wine Festival. On Saturday, November 23, wander among 17 tasting rooms to celebrate the end of the harvest season at each winery. Your ticket will get you an appetizer and wine at each stop. Uncorked also takes place in May.
Where to stay
Why not stay the night at the center of it all? Just a few blocks from downtown and nestled against the Rogue River, tuck in for the night at The Lodge at Riverside. The lodge exudes rustic charm with warm woods and plenty of stone throughout. Soak in the view from your patio or balcony with a water view or splash in the riverside pool. The lodge also has another waterfront sister property nearby — Riverside Inn. For stunning grounds, a pool and hot tub, and suites with jetted tubs, Redwood Hyperion Suites is a cozy spot to rest your head. Troon Vineyards and Wooldridge Creek Winery both offer on-site lodging as well, so you can experience a unique vineyard stay.
In partnership with Visit Grants Pass
