09/02/2026
“I gave this a lot of thought, and I kept coming back to the Applegate Valley in Southern Oregon as one of the most underrated wine regions in the country. It has this great combination of warm days and cool nights that really seems to suit Rhône varieties, which I love. The wines can be generous and expressive, but still have tons of freshness and savory character. Troon Vineyard is a favorite of mine, especially their Mourvèdre. I first tasted it during my time at Gramercy Tavern, and it was one of those wines that really stuck with me. It was earthy and spicy, with so much fruit, but everything was so well integrated. I think I told the rep who I was tasting with that it’s a wine that makes you want to turn into a cartoon and cannon ball right in the glass. It was super compelling, and I kept going back for another sniff, and another sip. It completely opened my eyes to what Southern Oregon could do, and I think Troon captures a lot of what makes Applegate so exciting right now.” —Dorian González Vega, beverage director, Union Square Cafe, NYC
https://vinepair.com/articles/wa-wine-pros-underrated-american-wine-region-2026/ #:~:text=“I%20gave%20this,Square%20Cafe%2C%20NYC
Scanning the shelves at a standard wine shop might make you think California is the only state making wine worth sipping. And while it’s true that Napa Valley and Sonoma County have some of the most famous wineries stateside, the U.S. is home to a wide swath of regions making excellent wine. Every...
