Del Rio Vineyards & Winery, located in the Rogue Valley of Southern Oregon, has earned a reputation for its grape production and premium estate wines. The vineyards are situated on over 200 acres of south-facing rolling hills and alluvial fans, producing grapes that are highly sought after and used in some of the most famous blends of wineries to the north in the Willamette Valley.
History of Del Rio Vineyards & Winery
During the 1850s, the Del Rio area was founded by J.B. White, who fought in the Indian Wars and was awarded the land that became known as Rock Point. In the mid-1960s, John White sold his homestead to L.J. White, who began constructing the Rock Point Hotel. The hotel opened for business with a Grand Ball on February 8, 1865. It soon became a regular stagecoach stop as the town grew, with the addition of a post office, blacksmith shop, school, and, of course, a local saloon.
The hotel and stage stop continued to operate until the early 1900s when the hotel closed and the property returned to farming. By 1907, the farm had expanded from a one-acre family orchard to more than 800 acres of orchards, including peaches, apples, cherries, pears, apricots, walnuts, and filberts, under the name Del Rio Orchards.
Del Rio Orchards remained active until 1997 when Lee and Margaret Traynham purchased the property. They began restoring the Rock Point Hotel, recognizing the historical significance of the building. They then transformed the orchard property into what is now Del Rio Vineyards. With over 200,000 vines, 17 clones, and twelve different varietals, Del Rio Vineyards is a principal supplier of premium grapes to more than 20 wineries in Oregon and California.
Of the wines produced at Del Rio Vineyards, their Syrah is probably the most sought-after grape by other wineries. The vineyard produces a distinctive Syrah, denser with a jammy flavor due to the longer, hotter summers experienced on this site. Being at the lowest altitude of any Southern Oregon vineyard—about 1,000 ft at the 42nd parallel—the heat of summer lasts longer, allowing the fruit to ripen slowly and develop intense flavors.
Del Rio Varietals and Their Clones
- Cabernet Sauvignon – Clone 15, 337, and 04
- Syrah – Clone Noir
- Cabernet Franc – Clone 332
- Pinot Gris – Clones 146, 152
- Chardonnay – Clones 76, 95
- Viognier – Clone 01
- Sangiovese – Clone Rodino
- Merlot – Clone 181
- Grenache – Clone 03
- Pinot Noir – Clones 777, 667, Pommard
- Malbec – Clone 04
- Riesling – Clone 09
- Petit Verdot – Clone 101
The winemaker at Del Rio Vineyards & Winery is Jean-Michel Jussiaume, a graduate of Viticulture and Enology in France. Jean-Michel grew up working on his family’s 50-acre vineyard in France. After completing his studies, he worked at wineries in Australia, Hungary, and South Africa before coming to the United States, where he became the winemaker at Del Rio Vineyards.
Visiting the Del Rio Vineyards & Winery tasting room is a special treat for anyone fortunate enough to do so. You can taste these excellent wines in one of the oldest structures in Oregon, the original hotel “Stage Coach Stop” lobby and sitting room. You can relax at the bar and taste the fruits of many hours of work, or unwind in the sitting room and enjoy the treasures of the past. Of all the winery tasting rooms I’ve visited, this is one of the most memorable, giving me that “warm fuzzy” feeling, like visiting Grandma’s house. With knowledgeable tasting room managers and superior wines, I highly recommend this winery and its wines.
Although Del Rio Vineyards & Winery produces grapes for other wineries, they also offer their own label on some of their premium wines. Available red wines include the ’08 Estate Reserve Petit Syrah, ’09 Claret, ’09 Malbec, ’09 Syrah, ’09 Merlot, and ’09 Pinot Noir. White wines available are the ’09 Viognier, ’09 Estate Reserve Pinot Gris, ’09 Chardonnay, and 2010 Pinot Gris.
Del Rio also produces some excellent dessert wines, such as their 2011 Rose Jolee, 2006 Syrah Port, and a delicious Seriously Sticky Syrah.
I’d like to talk a little about the 2009 Del Rio Vineyards Syrah, which I not only enjoy but also keep in good standing in my personal wine cellar.
This 2009 Del Rio Vineyards Syrah grabs your attention right away with its dark red color. After swirling, the aroma of raisins and figs fills the glass. When you finally bring the glass to your lips, you experience the spicy flavors of black pepper, thyme, and a mild hint of bay leaf. The wine finishes with a smooth, long-lasting impression of dark fruit, mild tannins, and slight acidity, along with a taste of olives—a characteristic often associated with great Syrahs, which I believe this wine to be.
Here are some interesting facts about the 2009 Syrah: This exceptional wine is made from 95.1% Syrah and 5.1% Grenache. It was aged in new French oak barrels for 10 months and has an alcohol content of 13.5%. During the 2009 grape growing season, the heat of the summer accelerated sugar development, forcing an early harvest. Cooler temperatures in September delayed the harvest, but the summer heat had already produced a ripened crop of grapes. The combination of these weather patterns resulted in heavy fruit, balanced, and very well-structured Syrah grapes.
Interested in visiting Del Rio Vineyards & Winery or purchasing wines online? Here’s the information you need:
Del Rio Vineyards & Winery
52 N. River Rd, Gold Hill, Oregon 97525
delriovineyards.com
