Oregon Wine Experience

You won’t want to miss this party! Each August, hundreds of people gather together for one of the biggest celebrations in Oregon. The Oregon Wine Experience® is a week-long event full of great wine, delicious food, entertainment, and above all – fun! Over the course of seven days, guests have the opportunity to explore, learn, and indulge in all the beauty and bounty that Southern Oregon offers.

Held at the historic Bigham Knoll Campus in Jacksonville, as well as at winery and restaurant venues around the region, this year’s festival is destined to be the biggest and best yet. Whether you choose to attend just one day or stay for the whole week, Oregon Wine Experience® is an essential wine event like none other in the state.

The Oregon Wine Experience®, formerly known as the World of Wine Festival, is now in its 14th year. Its founders — Lee Mankin of Carpenter Hill Vineyard in Medford, Joe Ginet of Plaisance Ranch in Williams and Cal Schmidt of Schmidt Family Vineyards in Grants Pass — started a wine competition during the third year of the festival.
For 9 years it was held at Gold Hill’s Del Rio Winery but moved to the Bigham Knoll Campus in Jacksonville in 2011.

In 2014 Asante Health System’s Foundation partnered with the local wine industry to manage the event as their signature fundraising effort for the year. With Asante Foundation’s support the event grossed nearly $300,000 in its first year of the partnership.

100% of the money raised benefits Children’s Miracle Network and other Asante Foundation healthcare programs that include no-cost patient family housing, cancer compassion funds, educational classes and more. Now in 2016, the event is strong as ever and has expanded many of its offerings, allowing guests to experience unique wine and culinary experiences throughout the region.