RoxyAnn Winery Still Jammin' Four Generations On
A rich history surrounds the winery and can be experienced guests who can visit.
BY TOURING & TASTING
A family legacy spanning four generations and more than 100 years provides the backbone for RoxyAnn Winery. Its 70-acre estate vineyard is situated on a portion of the Rogue Valley’s famed 200-acre Hillcrest Orchard, which has been farmed by Jack Day’s family since 1908. The orchard was dedicated to the production of pears until Jack, a member of the family’s third generation, decided to pursue his vision of growing winegrapes on the property.
In 1998, Jack planted the first 20 acres of grapevines on the southwest slopes of Roxy Ann Peak where shallow clay soils and southern sun exposure offered ideal conditions for Bordeaux varieties. The first harvest in 2001 yielded 150 cases of Claret, an outstanding blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, which sold out completely in two weeks.
Today, RoxyAnn Winery produces more than 15,000 cases of award-winning Claret, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Tempranillo, Syrah, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, and Viognier. The winery’s staff has grown, too. Representing the farming family’s fourth generation, Jack’s son Chad Day works as the winery’s general manager. In 2014, the family hired Winemaker Kent Barthman. Kent, whose wines have received many 90-plus scores, is excited to demonstrate the full potential of Southern Oregon as an emerging wine region.
A visit to the tasting room is a real treat. It is housed in The Honor Barn, one of the property’s 10 original structures now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Once a humble building where neighbors purchased orchard fruit and left their payments in the "honor box," The Honor Barn is now a beautiful, spacious tasting room with plenty of room to relax and enjoy the wines. The original beams and hardwood plank floors serve as reminders of the farm’s long history while the elegant, world-class wines showcase the uniqueness of their vineyard and Southern Oregon as a whole.
What to Buy
'11 Claret - $26
Ripe cherry, blackberry pie filling, mocha, sweet vanilla oak, pepper
'11 Tempranillo - $26
Dark raspberry, leather, blueberries, candied rhubarb
'12 Chardonnay - $26
White peach, kiwi, green apple, creamy nectarine
Special Notes
Winemaker dinners, gift shop, pet friendly, private tasting and tours by appointment, corporate events.
Contact
3285 Hillcrest Rd.
Medford, OR 97504
Phone: 541-776-2315
Email: tastingroom@roxyann.com
Website: roxyann.com
Tasting Room: Mon–Thu 12–7; Fri 11–9; Sat–Sun 11–7
Touring & Tasting is a media company that produces a wine and travel magazine and is also partner in the Hitched Wine Club.
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