Spread over 500 square miles in Southern Oregon, the Applegate Valley is home to five historical village hubs spaced about 7 miles apart — the distance a horse-drawn stagecoach could once cover. Today this scenic valley brims with wineries, farms, restaurants and opportunities for outdoor adventure. Here’s how to plan your own hub-to-hub journey.
Murphy: River Trails & Wine Tastings
Just south of Grants Pass, Murphy was historically a stopping place between the coast and the interior, providing lodging and food for travelers.
Start here with a visit to the Cathedral Hills Trail System, which has a variety of hikes through Douglas fir and madrone forests for all fitness levels. Next stop at Fish Hatchery Park for Applegate River access and fishing during hot days. After a dip in the river, head over to Dwell Wines for a relaxing tasting in Adirondack chairs with views of the Siskiyou Mountains and pinot noir vines. Plan your visit for a Saturday to catch live music in the summertime.
Williams: Ranch Wines, History & Heritage
Just 12 miles south, Williams is your next stop. Check out the Williams General Store, a community gathering place offering natural foods and ice cream, located in a historic building. Stop over at the Gotcher and Sparlin cemeteries with picnic items to take in some of Willams’ history — look for the infamous “Mule Man” with a pack train on his tombstone. Or head to Pacifica, A Garden in the Siskiyous, for a round of disc golf as well as hiking trails and horseback riding.
Don’t miss Plaisance Ranch, a working ranch since 1858, which offers wine and 100% grass-fed organic beef to take home. Grab a seat in the converted dairy barn and enjoy a glass of its award-winning sauvignon blanc.
Provolt: Rustic Bites & River Time
Your next stop is the Provolt Country Store & Deli, located in a 145-year-old building, for delicious paninis on sourdough focaccia. The store also hosts Korean barbecue nights during the summer and fall. Or indulge your sweet tooth at Pennington Farms, where you can pick up fresh berries in season and pastries and preserves year-round. You can also shop for local veggies, ferments, eggs, cheese and meats at the Whistling Duck Farm Store. Once a seed orchard, the Provolt Recreation Site is open to the public (and leashed dogs) with day-use access to the Applegate River. The confluence of Williams Creek and the Applegate River is an ideal spot for watching salmon spawn in October.
Applegate: Farm-Fresh Fare & Fine Wines
Moving east from Provolt, visitors will travel into the heart of the Applegate. Stay at The Lindsay Lodge right on the Applegate River, which also has an on-site restaurant with exceptional food and cocktails enjoyed on a fabulous deck. On Wednesdays, the Applegate Evening Market takes place with local products, art, live music, and food trucks. Right next door is the new Apple Outlaw Taproom, offering breakfast, brunch and cider tastings — check opening days and hours before you go. Across the street, visit The Station Market & Cafe for pastries, drinks, and a deli.
From here you can plan an afternoon of wine tasting at the region’s top vineyards. Head over to Augustino Estate & Vineyard, with its iconic red barn and a selection of wines including an award-winning syrah and a semi-sparkling riesling. Right up the road is Schmidt Family Vineyards, a destination vineyard offering rustic wood-fired pizzas, and Schultz Glory Oaks, which has panoramic views of the mountains as seen from its wine tasting deck.
You’ll also find Wooldridge Creek Vineyard in this area, which offers a selection of wines and cheeses from its creamery, as well as the biodynamic and regenerative organic-certified Troon Vineyard. Nearby, Wanderlust Vineyard offers paired food-and-wine tastings and Blossom Barn Cidery serves “blossom to barn” perries.
Ruch: Wine Roots & Lakeside Adventures
As you make your way to the final hub of Ruch, stop by Crooked Barn Vineyards to taste Bordeaux varietals. Red Lily Vineyards, a family-owned vineyard with expansive river views and award-winning tempranillo, is also nearby.
Need a refresh? Get a pickle lemonade at Code 3 Coffee & Snacks as well as milkshakes, smoothies and coffee treats. Follow Upper Applegate Road to the Historic McKee Bridge, which is one of the two oldest surviving covered bridges in Oregon. Farther on, swim or paddle at Applegate Lake followed by a hike along historic mining routes on the Gin Lin trail or the Bigfoot Trap Trail, where local believers tried valiantly to trap a bigfoot for several years in the 1970s. The trap’s still there, but no longer baited. If you’re in the market for eclectic souvenirs, visit Debbie’s Born Again Antique Shop in Ruch.
You can taste a little piece of Oregon wine history at Valley View Winery, which was established by pioneer Peter Britt in the 1850s. Today it serves a variety of reds and whites every day of the week. Or head to Quady North for a tasting flight of five wines along with charcuterie boards and cheese plates served with lovely views. Finally, don’t miss LongSword Vineyard, which specializes in Italian-style wines. If you’re there at the right time, you might even see paragliders landing in their field. Want to try it for yourself? Contact Sundog Paragliding School.
For more ideas, check out the Wander Applegate Interactive Map to plan your visit through the Applegate.
