Come on in: The wine is fine
The fall harvest of grapes is a blend of art and science
That could be a slogan for Illinois Valley vintners -- whether growers, makers or a combination. The most prominent sites in Illinois Valley are Bridgeview Vineyard & Winery, and its related Bear Creek Winery; and Ted Gerber’s Foris Vineyards Winery.
Bridgeview was established by Bob & Lelo Kerivan in 1986 on Holland Loop in rural Cave Junction. Today, Bridgeview boasts approximately 60 acres on-site, plus 40 acres at nearby Bear Creek Winery, which is run by their son, Rene Eichmann.
Additionally, the Kerivans have approximately 80 acres in the Applegate area, which is in the Medford/Jacksonville vicinity. And they manage some 30 acres of grapes near Illinois Valley’s O’Brien.
Oak barrels used for aging wine
Bridgeview has a storage capacity of more than 300,000 gallons, and a production capacity of more than 100,000 cases per year. That makes it one of Oregon largest wineries.
Bridgeview produces moderately priced, pleasant wines in the varietals of Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, Muscat, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir and Riesling. The winery is best known for its line of “Blue Moon” Riesling, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and its blue bottles.
Other lines are comprised of Black Beauty Merlot and a Premium line that includes Reserve Pinot Gris and Reserve Pinot Noir.
Visitors to Bridgeview can sample an array of fine wines, plus picnic or enjoy wine on the estate decks overlooking the landscaped gardens, and the extensive fish pond with ducks, geese and swans.
Like Bridgeview on Holland Loop, which runs off Caves Hwy. (Hwy. 46), Bear Creek also offers a tasting room at its Caves Hwy. location, a few miles east of Cave Junction.
Foris Vineyards Winery, established in 1986, has more than 130 acres of estate vineyards. Foris is out Holland Loop on Kendall Road (turn at Holland Store).
Foris is known for its boutique-like atmosphere. Like Bridgeview, it is family owned and operated.
Its estate vineyards are planted primarily in Pinot Noir and Alsatian white varietals. It also is known for its Foris Gewurztraminer, which is similar to excellent Alsatian Gewurztraminers.
And Foris is recognized for its Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris, as well as a number of other varieties.
Illinois Valley also contains two other tasting rooms.
Windridge Vineyard is on Holland Loop off Caves Hwy. And Deer Creek Vineyards is at 2680 Deer Creek Road in Selma.
