In the works: new stage, quadrupled outdoor seating, concert series, new subscription label
By Nick Morgan, Rogue Valley Times
Naumes Suncrest Winery is preparing for summer in a big way.
From the building of a new outdoor stage designed to accommodate full bands, to outdoor seating renovations that will quadruple capacity — not to mention a concert series in the works — the Talent winery at 1950 Suncrest Road says it is on track to open its new, larger outdoor space by June, according to Cynthia Naumes, marketing director for the winery.
Naumes said crews recently completed much of the structure for the stage and outdoor bar area, with siding and landscape work next on the to-do list.
“We are still on track,” Naumes said, adding, “We have a lot of the building components done.”
Once complete, the winery’s overall outdoor seating capacity will grow from 20 to 80, and audience members will be better able to listen in during concerts on the newly expanded lawn area, surrounded by vineyard views, or at a new large fire pit designed to accommodate groups of up to 20.
Although the winery regularly hosts musical acts, Naumes said the outdoor stage will allow for a wider variety of musical groups, such as bands that need space for a drummer or other large instruments.
“Right now, we don’t have the space for a larger band to play,” Naumes said.
The exterior renovations are designed to pair with recent interior renovations to the tasting room originally built as a farmhouse on the property in 1922. Those renovations include a recently completed Heritage Lounge downstairs from the tasting room’s main lounge area.
“That’s in kind of a speakeasy style,” Naumes said of the new second lounge used primarily for private events. “It’s worked out really well to have that separate space.”
The lower-level lounge boasts exclusive access to an outdoor patio, while those on the upper level will be able to listen in on an upper deck.
Next steps include siding work, along with plenty of landscaping, but Naumes described the changes as steps that transform the property into what she described as a “destination winery.”
Naumes said creating a space that can accommodate large events will lead to attractions that draw tourists to the region.
“Our goal is to cater to the changing needs of the Rogue Valley,” Naumes said, describing demand for spaces capable of accommodating larger events. “There really aren’t that many spaces for that right now.”
The renovations are expected to be complete in time for the winery’s fifth anniversary. It opened in 2019 on property that has been in the Naumes family since 1985.
Naumes’ aunt, Sister Mary Pat Naumes, used the property as a retreat center and meeting space for nonprofits from the 1980s until her retirement in 2018.
“She was very well known for making coffee cake,” Naumes said. “We still have people coming in and asking for coffee cake.”
“We’ve talked about maybe bringing it back at some point,” she added.
Other ideas are a higher priority right now, such as a recent rebranding effort they hope to launch later this summer with a new, modern Naumes Suncrest Winery label geared toward drawing in a younger generation of wine drinkers. It will initially be applied to certain white wines and rosés.
“We’re catering to a little more of a younger crowd,” Naumes said. “We’ll still have our Naumes label, which is kind of the main label we have right now.”
The winery plans to launch it with a new wine subscription service, which they hope will appeal to visitors and younger adults.
“We want to give people options so we have something for everyone,” she said.
For more info on the winery, see naumessuncrestwinery.com.
Reach reporter Nick Morgan at [email protected] or 458-488-2036. This story first appeared in the Rogue Valley Times.
