The Rogue Valley is Oregon's southernmost appellation, situated just above the California border. Warmer than the Willamette and Umpqua Valleys, the Rogue Valley offers red wine drinkers more tasty alternatives to Pinot Noir. The appellation's diversity of climates permits a regular rogue's gallery of grape varietals that range from warm weather favoring Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, which grow mostly on south-facing slopes in the dryer eastern portion of the appellation, to cool climate craving Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer and Riesling, which grow in the cooler western reaches. The vineyards throughout the appellation grow on hillsides at elevations between 1,000 and 2,000 feet. The Rogue Valley AVA includes the charming town of Ashland, home of the annual Oregon Shakespeare Festival.
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