Rogue Valley Named America’s #1 Wine Region

The Rogue Valley American Viticultural Area in Southern Oregon was voted the United States’ top wine region in the 2026 USA TODAY Readers’ Choice Awards. The accolade follows a second‑place finish in 2025 and coincides with the AVA’s 35th anniversary. The region, which stretches about 70 miles from Ashland through Medford to Grants Pass, includes the Applegate, Bear Creek and Illinois Valleys and hosts more than 80 wineries. Its diverse climate—hot summer days, cool nights and a long growing season—supports over 70 grape varieties, from Pinot Noir to Petite Sirah. Carole Skeeters‑Stevens, chief marketing officer of Travel Medford, said the award validates the hard work of local growers, winemakers and hospitality partners and highlights the valley’s growing role as a tourism driver alongside attractions such as Crater Lake.