Photo provided by StoneRiver Vineyards.
When traveling the I-5, Exit 24 brings you to Phoenix and all of its great restaurants, shops and recreational opportunities. But along the way, there are also numerous wineries and vineyards that are worth a quick detour.
Sip Your Way Through Southern Oregon
The Exit 24 Wine Trail is one of our favorites and includes many unique wineries. With beautiful views, flavorful wines and welcoming winemakers, your trip around the Exit 24 Wine Trail will be a memorable one.
Pebblestone Cellars
Pebblestone Cellars is a family-owned winery that has been in business for more than 30 years. Their grapes come from Ellis Vineyards, which is located in the middle of an ancient riverbed. The terrain contributes to Pebblestone’s unique and intensely flavorful wines. The winery is currently open from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday (Winter Hours). You can enjoy outside tasting and glass pours on their covered, heated deck. Bottle and case sales are available inside.
StoneRiver Vineyards
StoneRiver Vineyards is located on one of Oregon’s earliest registered farms. Their elegant tasting room is open from 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. (Winter Hours), Thursday through Sunday. The vineyard’s tasting room is part of an old barn which was originally used as a packing shed for orchard-grown peaches. Later, it was a country store which sold peaches, pears, apples and cherries grown on the farm. The first floor of the barn was converted to a tasting room in 2011. If you like variety, StoneRiver has an abundance of options, with four white and nine red grape varieties.
Aurora Vines
The beautiful tasting room and outdoor patio seating of Aurora Vines is well worth a visit. Nestled against a hillside overlooking the valley, the spectacular views are complemented further by their outstanding wine selection. Visit Aurora Vines Saturday and Sunday, 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Winter Hours).
EdenVale Winery
To experience a piece of Rogue Valley history, visit EdenVale Winery and step back in time. The winery is open from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. on the weekend (Winter Hours). During the winter, gather at Voorhies Mansion, which has a connected, enclosed tent space. There is tons of room to stretch out, with tables, chairs and firepits. In addition to bold red wines and elegant white wines, EdenVale sources pears for their organic pear cider from their winery estate. Planted in 1885, the original planting still produces juicy, sweet pears. Once picked, they are fresh pressed, and then cold fermented to make EdenVale’s award-winning hard pear ciders.
2Hawk Vineyard and Winery
Just a few minutes from Phoenix you’ll discover 2Hawk Vineyard and Winery, named after two hawks that have soared over the estate and the vineyard since its original planting. 2Hawk is currently open from 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Friday through Sunday (Winter Hours). Sip on their award-winning wines, along with a few tempting accompaniments, with the beautiful backdrop of the Rogue Valley in the distance. They have outdoor seating on a covered, heated patio to keep you comfortable.
A Winter Wine Adventure
Winter wine tasting is a special experience, because only in the Rogue Valley can you cozy up under a blanket and enjoy a glass of vino with your family and friends. Don’t wait until the spring to explore the Exit 24 Wine Trail. These wineries are warm, welcoming and some of the best places to enjoy Southern Oregon wine.