In Southern Oregon’s Rogue Valley, where the Cascade and Siskiyou mountains frame rolling vistas vineyards and sun-soaked hillsides, the Naumes family is reimagining what a multigenerational farming legacy can become. Long recognized as one of the nation’s premier pear-growing families, the next generation has transformed more than a century of agricultural expertise into one of the region’s most exciting wine-country destinations, complete with a speakeasy-inspired lounge, an outdoor concert stage and plenty of places to perch with your pinot. Here’s what to know as you plan your visit.
Farmhouse Tasting Room and Vineyard Views
A pioneering spirit animates Naumes Suncrest Winery in Talent, about five miles northwest of Ashland, where a beautifully restored 1922 farmhouse became the winery’s tasting room in 2019. Framed by rolling estate vineyards and sweeping Rogue Valley views, the property blends elevated farmhouse charm with relaxed wine-country sophistication.
In 2024 the winery and tasting spaces expanded again with the debut of a speakeasy-inspired Heritage Lounge; private rooms for special events; and an outdoor concert stage surrounded by native landscaping, crackling fire pits and Adirondack chairs seemingly designed for soaking up summer sunsets with a glass in hand.
Grab a seat on the patio and order a flight of small-production wines crafted from estate fruit, with pinot noir and chardonnay leading the portfolio. Standouts include the elegant Fly Line chardonnay, a refreshing pinot noir rosé, and a bold and savory syrah that captures the distinct character of the valley.
Be sure to sample some of the signature sparkling wines, from lively blanc de blancs to richly textured blanc de noirs. And no visit is complete without a pour of the port-style garnacha dessert wine — velvety, decadent and especially memorable as the sun dips behind the Cascade mountains.
Located along the Bear Creek Wine Trail, a collection of 14 small-production wineries tucked into the southernmost stretch of the Rogue Valley AVA, Naumes Suncrest offers easy access to Ashland, Medford and Jacksonville, making it an ideal anchor for a Southern Oregon weekend getaway filled with wine tasting, acclaimed theater and outdoor adventure.
Deep Farming Roots in the Rogue Valley
For more than a century, the Naumes family has shaped the agricultural landscape of Southern Oregon’s Rogue Valley, cultivating a legacy rooted in pears and a deep connection to the land. Their orchards produce nine varieties, including Bartlett, Starkrimson, French Butter, Anjou, Red Anjou, Comice, Red Comice, Seckel and Bosc.
Their story begins in the early 1900s, when Peter Naumes arrived in Medford and established the family’s reputation for growing premium pears and apples — a hands-on farming operation where generations learned every aspect of the craft, from grafting branches to harvesting fruit straight from the orchard rows.
That legacy expanded in 1946, when Peter’s son, Joe, and business partner Steve Nye returned home from World War II to launch Nye and Naumes Co., a fruit-packing operation that quickly evolved into one of the region’s defining agricultural enterprises. As the company expanded, so did the family’s footprint, eventually shifting to exclusively family-grown fruit. By the early 1960s, the Naumes family had taken full ownership of the business, cementing its place as a cornerstone of Rogue Valley farming.
The next generation arrived in the 1970s with ambitious plans. Pete, Mike and Sue Naumes expanded operations beyond Oregon, eventually farming nearly 7,500 acres across three states. Today Mike and his wife, Laura — alongside their triplets, representing the third generation — oversee over a thousand of acres of orchards, making Naumes one of the country’s largest family-owned pear growers.
Innovation has always been part of the family DNA, and in 2013, the Naumes family further diversified and took the leap into wine grapes, planting a 6-acre pinot noir vineyard on former pear-orchard land. What began as a bold experiment quickly flourished into more than 100 acres of vines producing pinot noir, chardonnay, grenache, pinot gris, tempranillo and more — ushering in a new era for the family business.
Concert Series and Community Events
Known as much for its warm hospitality as its wines, the family-friendly winery has also become a gathering place for the community. Kids are welcome on the property — there are even seasonal s’mores events around the fire pits — and leashed dogs are welcome in the outdoor spaces, making it an easygoing destination for visitors who want to bring their whole family along.
A packed calendar of monthly events includes pottery workshops, watercolor afternoons, live music, seasonal food pairings and artisan markets celebrating local makers. In summer the popular concert series transforms the winery into an open-air gathering space filled with live music from afternoon to sunset.
An expansive seasonal menu rounds out the experience with dishes designed for sharing and lingering, often featuring local pears. Favorites include Rogue Smokey Blue dip, burrata topped with macerated pears, prosciutto poppers, crisp seasonal salad and charcuterie boards loaded with local cheeses. Flatbreads and signature pizzas — especially the beloved pear and prosciutto combination — are perennial crowd-pleasers. With local beer and kombucha on tap, the winery offers something for every guest to savor and enjoy.
