The Applegate Valley is a sub-appellation situated entirely within the Rogue Valley AVA, essentially splitting it in two. Applegate Valley starts above the California border, just south of Medford, Oregon, and east of Ashland, and reaches west to the Rogue River. Shielded from cooling Pacific Coast influences, the Applegate Valley is warm and dry, conditions that favor Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Chardonnay is also grown here. The warm days and cool nights develop grapes that sport a healthy balance between ripe fruit and refreshing acidity.
Continue reading about Oregon wine country:
Grapes Know No Boundaries
Several of Washington State's appellations actually slip stealthily across the border into northern Oregon: The Columbia Gorge, Columbia Valley and Walla Walla Valley AVAs.