Festival set to feature 12 local wineries, food trucks and music
By James Sloan, Rogue Valley Times
The 12 wineries of the Bear Creek Wine Trail are teaming up to bring their best wines to the table for attendees of the inaugural Bear Creek Wine Trail Festival, with a chance to enjoy the scenic views and backdrop of Naumes Suncrest Winery in Talent.
“This is an opportunity for each of our winery’s club members, the wine aficionados, as well as the general public to truly experience the Bear Creek Wine Trail,” said Tony Corallo, president of the Bear Creek Wine Trail. “It’s a great venue for getting everyone in one place, and this hasn’t happened since the current wineries have been involved and is probably the beginning of many, many more get-togethers like this — the first of many to come.”
The festival, at Naumes Suncrest Winery, 1950 Suncrest Road, Talent, will be held Saturday, March 29, in two sessions: Session One will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Session Two from 3 to 6 p.m.
“We know how to make a party,” said Meghann Walk, general manager of Hummingbird Estate. “We’ll have wine, food trucks, Naumes food and musicians performing at both sessions.”
“I think we’re hoping to see 300 (attendees),” Corallo said.
Tickets for either session are $45 as an early bird price before March 15. Following that date, ticket prices will increase to $50 per person. To purchase tickets, visit bearcreekwinetrail.com/events.
At the festival, organizers are offering the Bear Creek Wine Trail Passport for wine enthusiasts to visit the 12 participating wineries throughout the year and sample up to 36 wines — or three wines per venue — and receive 10% off of all bottle purchases while visiting.
The passport is included with each festival ticket or can be purchased separately for $35 at bearcreekwinetrail.com/passport.
Festival attendees will also receive a commemorative wine glass, be able to meet with representatives of the Bear Creek Wine Trail and try up to seven wine samples.
The 12 participating wineries are Belle Fiore Estate and Winery, Dana Campbell Vineyards, DANCIN Vineyards, Grizzly Peak Winery, Hummingbird Estate, Irvine & Roberts Vineyards, Naumes Suncrest Winery, Paschal Winery, Pebblestone Cellars, StoneRiver Vineyards, Trium Wines and Weisinger Family Winery.
The participating wineries have more than 36 different varietals such as Burgundy, Bordeaux, Rhone, Spanish and Italian wines that festival-goers can taste, all under one roof.
A key aspect of planning the first-ever festival was having an event and location that could bring all 12 wineries together, considering they are scattered across the valley — from north Medford to the outskirts of Ashland.
“People wanted to have a one-day event and see all of us introduce our wines,” Walk said.
Naumes Suncrest Winery was selected as the host location due to its central location and amenities.
“We have the biggest layout as far as parking and landscape, and we will feature everything done over the last few years,” Naumes General Manager Dana Fasching said, noting the winery’s recent renovations to benefit visitors. “I think it’ll be fun; (during) this time of year people are always looking for something to do.”
While organizers are awaiting the outcome of the inaugural event, they aim to make it an annual occurrence.
“I think it’s definitely something I’d like to see done annually; the hope is to rotate to accommodate growth as it goes on,” Fasching said.
“There are many beautiful locations around the Rogue Valley where we can host this,” Corallo said.
Whether the festival is hosted at other Bear Creek Wine Trail wineries or a separate venue altogether in the future, the event founders aim to make it a mainstay in Southern Oregon.
“I’m personally very excited; I admire all of the wineries,” Walk said.
For more information on the festival, Bear Creek Wine Trail and more, visit bearcreekwinetrail.com.
Reach reporter James Sloan at [email protected]. This story first appeared in the Rogue Valley Times.
