Who doesn't love artisan cheeses, chocolates, and wines? The Medford, Oregon area is chuck-o-block with some of the best nibbling you have ever experienced. The yum-o-licious meter is clear over in the red zone! Just about 48 miles south of Grants Pass (staying on Interstate 5), this area is quickly becoming a culinary boutique.
The grandfather of all these food artisans is Harry & David. Samuel Rosenburg, father of Harry and David, was a successful hotel owner in Seattle, Washington but his true love was agriculture. In 1910, he traded the luxurious hotel Sorrento for 240 prime acres of pears in southern Oregon's Rogue River Valley and named the farm "Bear Creek Orchards" after the nearby creek. Sam died in 1914 and his sons, Harry and David, took over the business. The company has been shipping these incredible pears all over the world since that time and also offers many other local treats through their mail order catalogue. While in Medford, check out their storefront at 1314 Center Drive.
So many sensations to titillate your tastebuds! This area is just rich with artisan cheese makers, chocolate makers, and wineries. If you want to take a day or two and leisurely enjoy a tour, contact the folks at the Oregon Wine and Farm Tour. They would be happy to mail you out a brochure that offers visitors a complete driving tour of the best the area has to offer.
The tenth and last leg of our northern California/southern Oregon adventure ends just 13 miles farther south on I-5 at Ashland, Oregon. Check out our next blog on this unique township.
