Oregon's Applegate & Rogue Appellations - Imagine the Napa Valley 40 years ago and you'll have an idea of what to expect when you take the short drive into the Applegate Valley, chasing the elusive fruits of Oregon Wineries (little known outside of Oregon).

Now, it is true that you may have to wait until the farmer gets off his John Deere and kicks the mud off his boots before he can pour you a sample, but you can expect to find some stunning wines in Oregon wine country, most of them not far from the inn. Ask Duane where his favorite wineries are. Having grown up in the Applegate Valley, he knows where all the small, out-of-the-way gems are located.

When you visit the small vineyards that make up the Applegate and Rogue Appellations for wine tours, you'll usually be dealing with the owner or one of the family members, as most all are small family-owned wineries. So, be prepared to slow down a bit and travel back to a simpler time and place while enjoying some of the best wine you can experience. You will then know why most people outside of Oregon aren't familiar with Oregon wine. Oregonians drink most of it here so very little gets shipped out of state. So, make your plans now and expect to create memories for a life time.