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Elevated bacteria levels prompt warnings for local creeks ... 2013 REPORT Southern Oregon wine industry had a robust 2013 Vineyard production rose 80 percent over previous year Comment By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Posted Dec. 1, 2014 at 3:35 PM Updated Dec 1, 2014 at 3:36 PM By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Posted Dec. 1, 2014 at 3:35 PM Updated Dec 1, 2014 at 3:36 PM » Social News If rampant isn't the best word to describe the growth of Southern Oregon's wine industry, it's close. The 2013 Oregon vineyard and winery census released in October, suggests such an assertion, merely relying on numbers. The annual survey compiled by the Oregon Wine Board sometimes combines the Rogue Valley and Umpqua Valley numbers, while separating them for other purposes. In 2013 the Rogue Valley saw grape production grow by 45 percent over 2012, while Southern Oregon recorded an 80 percent increase. For the entire region, harvested acreage climbed 48 percent year-over-year. By comparison, the statewide growth in all those categories was 20 percent or less. "What we are seeing is the best best economic climate for production since the recession," said Greg Jones, a Southern Oregon University climatologist and geologist. "We spent a period of time, 2008 through 2011, where there wasn't a lot of development in the industry and we were just waiting for things to come back. Lo and behold, it's here." The total number of wineries in Southern Oregon climbed to 108, accounting for 11 percent in the state. Seventy-five of those wineries were in the Rogue Valley region, up from 65 the previous year. The Southern Oregon wineries crushed 6,868 tons in 2013.  In 2013, Southern Oregon produced 452 tons of cabernet sauvignon, or 43 percent of the state's output. The 541 tons of merlot produced in Southern Oregon, accounted for half of the state output. The 814 tons of syrah, picked here comprised 60 percent of the state total. By contrast, the 4,825 tons of pinot noir constituted just 15 percent of the state's output. In 2013, the number of vineyards in the Rogue Valley grew to 140 from 126 the previous year. The per-acre yield of grapes increased to 3.25 tons from 2.29 tons; and overall tonnage rose to 7,201 from 4,983. Jones anticipates seeing even bigger numbers during the next couple of annual census reports. "I think we're going to see a lot more growth when the 2014 report comes out," he said. "The Rogue and Umpqua valley wineries have done substantial planting over the past 18 months — maybe as much as 1,100 or 1,200 acres." That means production will be gaining steam for years to come. "In a year and a half to three years, we might see an increase of anywhere from 30 to 50 percent," Jones said. "There is a lot of interest in the fruit grown here. Some of that will go to wineries that will produce more wine in the region, and there is a lot of interest from the northern part of Oregon, too." There are other changes in the industry as well. Agniesczka Stachurska, one of the Paschal Winery founders, left the Talent area in 2009 and returned three years later to find different expectations.  "I'm very excited about what's happening," Stachurska said. "The quality of wine going up, the quality of service in the tasting rooms is better. There are a lot of wine-educated people coming to the valley. There is a phenomenal growth in the industry and standards are different. There are higher expectations from customers, so we have to step up to the plate." Paschal's seven acres were planted in the early 1990s and production began in 1998. During her three-year absence, Stachurska said, wineries went from serving cheese and crackers to their customers to now offering a menu in many cases. "We have to help each other raise the bar," she said. At Daisy Creek Vineyard on Shafer Lane near Jacksonville, the malbec grapes were so juicy in 2013, "the juice was just running off the sorting tray," Margaret Lyon said. "We hadn't seen anything quite like that before." The 12-acre vineyard was planted in 1997 and production began under the Daisy Creek label in 2002. "We use about half of our grapes and deliver the other half to five places up north," she said. "The buyers are extremely happy with our syrah." Reach reporter Greg Stiles at 541-776-4463 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GregMTBusiness, on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/greg.stiles.31, and read his blog at www.mailtribune.com/Economic Edge.     By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Greg Stiles Mail Tribune Posted Dec. 1, 2014 at 3:35 PM Updated Dec 1, 2014 at 3:36 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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