Savor Southern Oregon draws nearly 1,000 attendees to Jacksonville
Published 9:00 am Friday, June 19, 2026
Savor Southern Oregon returned for its second year on June 12-13, drawing nearly 1,000 attendees to the Bigham Knoll Campus in Jacksonville and surpassing expectations for what has quickly become the Rogue Valley’s signature wine event.
Presented by the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians and produced by Travel Medford, the two-day celebration featured 50 Rogue Valley wineries, award-winning wines, winemaker interactions, local food offerings and visitors from throughout Oregon and beyond, a news release said.
The event generated a noticeable increase in reservations at area hotels and short-term rentals as wine enthusiasts traveled to the Rogue Valley to experience one of Oregon’s premier wine regions firsthand. Attendees represented 53 unique ZIP codes across 13 states, demonstrating the growing reach and appeal of the Rogue Valley as a wine tourism destination.
More than 25 media members, influencers, and content creators attended the event, helping introduce the Rogue Valley wine story to audiences throughout Oregon and across the country.
“Every one of our vacation rentals was occupied during Savor Southern Oregon weekend with guests traveling here specifically to attend the event,” said Chelsea Moses, owner of Siskiyou Stays. “We welcomed visitors from across the United States who came to experience Rogue Valley wine country. Events like Savor Southern Oregon not only support our local wine industry, but they also have a meaningful impact on lodging providers, restaurants, retailers, and other small businesses throughout the region.”
The centrally located Bigham Knoll Campus provided the perfect setting for guests to experience Rogue Valley wine country while exploring Medford, Jacksonville and the surrounding region, organizers said.
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A cornerstone of this year’s event was the Savor Southern Oregon Wine Competition, which attracted 143 entries from 42 Rogue Valley wineries and wine producers. The competition was judged by a distinguished panel of wine experts, including Masters of Wine Joel Butler and Bob Paulinski, along with acclaimed Oregon wine writer Michael Alberty, who has reviewed thousands of Oregon wines throughout his career.
The competition highlighted the exceptional quality and diversity of wines being produced throughout the Rogue Valley and provided consumers with an opportunity to experience many of the region’s top award-winning wines during the event, according to the release.
“Savor Southern Oregon was created to celebrate the people, wines, and sense of community that make the Rogue Valley such a special place,” said Carole Skeeters-Stevens, event director and chief marketing officer for Travel Medford. “To see nearly 1,000 people come together to support our wineries, meet our winemakers, and experience the region exceeded our expectations. The enthusiasm from both guests and participating wineries reinforces that this event fills an important role in showcasing Rogue Valley wine country.”
New enhancements introduced in 2026 included food trucks during last Saturday’s Grand Tasting, an expanded event footprint, additional guest amenities, and an improved layout designed to enhance traffic flow and create a more enjoyable experience for attendees and participating wineries.
“The success of Savor Southern Oregon extends far beyond the event itself,” said T.J. Holmes, senior vice president of Travel Medford. “When visitors travel from 13 states and 53 unique ZIP codes to attend an event in the Rogue Valley, it demonstrates the growing recognition of our region as a premier wine destination. Savor Southern Oregon drives visitation, supports local businesses, introduces new consumers to Rogue Valley wines, and creates lasting connections that inspire future travel and wine purchases.”
Created in response to feedback from Rogue Valley wine industry leaders, Savor Southern Oregon was designed to provide a premier wine experience that reflects the authenticity, collaboration, and hospitality that define the region’s wine community.
“This event is incredibly important for the future of our region’s wine industry,” said Eric Weisinger, president of Rogue Valley Vintners. “Savor Southern Oregon provides an opportunity for wineries of all sizes to come together, tell our collective story, and introduce new consumers to the quality and diversity of wines being produced here. The impact extends well beyond a single weekend and helps elevate the profile of the entire Rogue Valley.”
Travel Medford thanked the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians and the many sponsors, partners, wineries, volunteers, and community members who helped make the event possible. A complete list of sponsors can be found at www.savorsouthernoregon.com.
Planning is already underway for the third annual Savor Southern Oregon, scheduled for June 11-12, 2027.
Source: Southern Oregon Savor