No, You’re NOT in Italy. That’s just the wine talkin’

The rolling hills of Italy, each one covered in rows and rows of grapevines. Above, the sky is a perfect shade of blue with a smattering of clouds off on the horizon.

These are the things you think of when you are asked to describe a vineyard. All but one item is true, depending on the time of year. Vineyards thrive in many different parts of the world, including Oregon. Yet, how did this picturesque image arrive on the other side of the globe? No one really knows, but the best rumor includes a party and some forgotten fluff in a pocket.

George Simpson, the head of the Hudson Bay Company in the early 1800s, was at a party in London. At some point, he placed some grape and apple seeds in his pocket, likely to throw them away at an opportune time, and completely forgot about it until he arrived at Fort Vancouver. Here, he met John McLoughlin, the manager of the Fort. He felt that this was the perfect time to get rid of these seeds that were hibernating in his pocket for who knows how long, and gifted them to Mr. McLoughlin. 

The manager continued to plant and sow these seeds, and as time went on, he gifted the seeds to various workers. One such worker decided to retire and move from Vancouver. This trend continued until they reached the Northern Willamette Valley. After this long journey, the grape and wine records became a little muddy. 

Once the grapes arrived in the Rogue Valley, people found out that this area was perfect for a new winery home. Firstly, this Valley is in the best latitude for growth. It lies between 42 and 43 degrees on latitude that can be found on a map. This latitude is equal to the most prominent wine-producing regions, including New Zealand, Europe, and Argentina. Outside of this “Goldilocks” zone, it is a lot more difficult to grow and produce wonderfully tasting grapes. Grapes also love to have a long, warm growing season with a rough cold during the winter so that the vines can be chilled to activate the necessary growth for the next growing season.  

The soil variety that is found throughout the region allows the vineyards to grow different types of grapes, no matter what type of soil they prefer. Due to all of these differences, the Rogue Valley has more than 70 different grape variants that can produce world-class wine. 

Rosella’s is just one of the many vineyards that use these soil and weather climates to create amazing wines that everyone can enjoy. Come out and see for yourself.

~Cheers!