RoxyAnn Winery
by
Kathy Sullivan
Summary: RoxyAnn Winery is located on property in Medford, Oregon that has been in the family since 1908. The third and fourth generations of the family operate the winery in the maintained historic buildings. This property is also known as the Hillcrest Orchard. Today, people frequently stop by this friendly tasting room after work to enjoy a glass of wine.
History
We met Chad Day (pictured below left along with winemaker Kent Barthman), immediately upon our arrival at RoxyAnn Winery located at the Hillcrest farm. It is Chad’s father, Jack Day, who had the insight to plant vineyards to replace some of the pear orchards in the 1990s. Today, in addition to being the founder of the winery, Jack is the CEO. The winery was built in 2001. Chad talked about how he had been in the building and construction business in Seattle but eventually decided to return home to Medford to become part of the winery business. Chad said that it was a great decision by his father to plant the vineyard in place of pear orchards. Chad obviously enjoys returning to his roots and living in this region of Oregon.
According to Chad, one of the problems in the wine industry is getting consumers to know where they are located. RoxyAnn Winery is on the outskirts of Medford. Originally, neighbors knew this was where they could purchase produce in the Honor Barn.
Tasting Room
The tasting room offers visitors a warm, homey feeling while enjoying the wide variety of wines offered. The room has a large rectangular, pinewood tasting counter. The floor is the original barn floor but has been refinished. Tables are made of wine barrels with a large glass table top. Local art work is displayed on the walls.
The Property
The property is home to many historic buildings. The United States Department of the Interior placed Hillcrest Orchard on the National Register of Historic Places. Only the winery building is a more recent addition to the property. The original barn was renovated within historic guidelines as a large, rustic and delightful area for visitors to stop and enjoy a glass of wine and purchase a bottle of wine.
Another area, near the tasting room has picnic tables and is also a site for special events. This spot offers views of the numerous white-sided barn buildings, pear orchards and vineyards. There is also a view of of a large, magnificent summer home, where Chad’s grandfather would visit during the summer.
Today the entire property consists of 250 acres with 65 acres under vine. The property also has 50 acres of pears, peaches and field crops. The traditional fruits and vegetables are sold to grocers and retailers. An area just outside the historic barn tasting room and close to the road is called the Honor Barn. This is where consumers can stop and purchase fresh farm produce.
The Vineyards
The soil in the vineyards is primarily clay. While we talked with Clay and winemaker Kent Barthman, Kent commented on the difficulties of growing grapevines in clay soils. Kent has extensive experience in winemaking as he has been involved in the wine industry since 1979. He has worked at several of California’s well-known wineries and in 2014 accepted the position of winemaker at RoxyAnn Winery.
Current grape varieties on the 65 acres include: Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Viognier, Tempranillo, Syrah, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot.
The Name
We were curious as to the name RoxyAnn and quickly discovered that it is part of the history of the land. Chad explained that RoxyAnn Bowen settled this land in the 1850s. The nearby peak is named after RoxyAnn. The winery property is at the base of the slope. The owners of the winery wanted to honor the past. Each bottle of RoxyAnn wine has a small composite photo that represents what Roxy Ann might have looked like in the 1800s.
Wines
The 2015 Sauvignon Blanc, Rogue Valley AVA was a light yellow color. The aroma was of citrus and tropical fruit. The taste had notes of lemon grass, lemon, and grapefruit with hints of melon and peach. The finish was very crisp. Chardonnay 2013, Rogue Valley AVA was a dark yellow color. The aroma was of pear with a bit of apple. The taste included pear, apple, vanilla and caramel notes. The finish was crisp with fruit yielding to oak influences.
Malbec 2012, Rogue Valley AVA was an opaque dark ruby color with a purple hue. The wine offered dark fruits including black cherry, blueberry, and had leather notes. The wine was full-bodied and had bold tannins. The finish had fruit yielding to baking spices. The Claret 2013 was a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot. The wine was an opaque dark ruby color with an intense fruity aroma. The taste included notes of blackberries, raspberries and black cherries. The taste was full-bodied with very bold tannins. The finish was fruity with some spice and leather notes. It should be noted that RoxyAnn Winery was grandfathered in for the use of the name Claret.
The Founders Reserve 2012 was a dessert port-style wine. The wine was a dark purple with a ruby hue. The aroma was of cooked fruit and alcohol. The taste was dried fruits with some sweetness. The finish of this yummy dessert wine was crisp, sweet and fruity.
While planning your visit to the wineries in Southern Oregon, be sure to include a visit to RoxyAnn Winery in Medford.
RoxyAnn Winery
3283 Hillcrest Road
Medford, Oregon 97504
GPS: N42º 19.878’ W122º 49.215’
Article written December 2016
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