The Rogue River Valley traveler can become intoxicated by the majestic nature of Crater Lake or the evocative wine culture of a region that lives for its art. Everything close, accessible and without the need for reservations.
The base of our visit, the small city of Medford (population 80,000) has about 40 moderately priced lodgings (CompassHotelMedford.com) and the initial charm of a central location on the Highway 5 corridor that connects the entire Pacific Northwest from Canada; Ideal midpoint to explore ‘from start to finish’ this interesting territory just north of the border with California.
We are welcomed by Jacksonville, booming during the gold rush in 1852 and later designated a National Historic Landmark with several charming places for a weekend stroll. Here we visited the Jacksonville Inn Wine Lounge (Instagram:@jacksonville_inn) which serves a curated selection of local wines (our vote for Tempranillos) and a relaxed atmosphere to enjoy an afternoon with friends, snacks and live music; ideal to start the adventure on the right foot.
Day 1
The visit to Crater Lake is one of the most evocative moments of the trip. It is the deepest (594 meters) and bluest lake in the US right in Medford’s backyard. Oregon’s only national park – Crater Lake (Instagram: @craterlakenps, Facebook: Crater Lake National Park) is a stunning and must-see destination, formed about 7,700 years ago after the collapse of the Mount Mazama volcano, surrounded by cliffs and ancient forests. It offers trails, boat rides and tours along the Rim Drive, which provides endless views of the lake and its two islands, Wizard Island and Phantom Ship.
Day 2
Neither the rain nor the cold stops our steady march to the top of a sleeping volcano located within Prescott Park, Roxy Ann Peak, which stands as one of the city’s natural landmarks. The trail system offers options for various skill levels with a moderate incline through oak forests. We have armed ourselves with boots and a waterproof layer and although the fog does not allow us to appreciate the view, the experience is rewarding and the direct contact with nature is memorable.
On the way down, a good lunch at Kaleidoscope Pizzeria and Pub (Instagram: @kscopepizza, Facebook: @KaleidoscopePizzeria), a place that has become a favorite of locals and tourists. (You can’t miss the ‘Thai’ chicken pizza). The visit is completed by a tour of the downtown murals where we are surprised by the works of local artist Adrián Chávez with his mariachis and his bloody and definitive cockfights. We also didn’t miss the opportunity to try Buttercloud Bakery & Cafe’s delicious biscuits with honey syrup (Instagram: @buttercloudbakery, Facebook: @buttercloudmedford).
Day 3
Despite its humble origins, Medford (TravelMedford.org) wants to position itself as an artisan center where skill and creativity come together to celebrate its farmers and merchants.
We stopped by Hawthorne Park with its picturesque Rogue Valley Farmers and Artisans Market (named one of the top 10 farmers markets in the country by USA Today) with farm-fresh produce, artisanal food, handmade gifts, and food trucks. (Instagram: @rvgrowersmarket, Facebook: @rvgrowersmarket). Then we stop at Rogue Creamery
(Instagram: @roguecreamery, Facebook: @RogueCreamery) a small but mighty cheese shop featuring the famous Rogue River Blue (named the best blue cheese in the world in 2019-2020) made in a dairy dedicated to sustainable and organic practices.
But the main attraction is its wines: red, white and rosé and the soul that its producers pour into them. With more than 20 vintages under his belt, winemaker Rob Folin of Ryan Rose Wine (Instagram: @ryanrosewine, Facebook: RyanRoseWine) shows us his dedicated effort to produce high-quality wines. Their hard work and their calloused, strong hands show an industry as lively as those who stir the grapes, remove the air from them to fine-tune them, and taste them from the French oak barrels: a highly personal art where the brushstrokes are the air. cold of the night and the colors, the unforgiving palates of its creators.
The wine industry today is also a journey of gourmet food and bachelorette parties. To that end, Folin and his group take us through the stunning Tuscan facilities of Belle Fiore Winery (Instagram: @bellefiorewinery, Facebook: BelleFioreEstateandWinery) in Ashland, a 31-acre vineyard that produces French, Italian and Spanish heritage grapes, including find the subtle Pinot Noir and other lesser known ones such as Caprettone, Montepulciano, Barbera, Teroldego and Verdejo.
Medoford says goodbye to us in style at his semi-clandestine Butterfly Club (Instagram: @butterflyclub557, Facebook: ButterflyClub557), a ‘speakeasy’ restaurant bar where you have to call from outside for a waiter to open the door for you behind the counter of a barbershop. Cocktails and a steak menu focused on cuts of local origin under the images of prohibition and its gangsters for the end of an intense, economical tour for all tastes.
Direct flights to Medford from LAX and with connections to San Francisco or Portland from Ontario or about 10 hours on Route 5 take you to this experience that is worth discovering.