Exploring Roseburg, Oregon Like a Local

Watson Falls near Roseburg, Oregon is a lightly trafficked, loop hiking trail that is a little more than half a mile in length. The trail has a moderate difficulty rating and features the Watson Falls, a scenic 272-foot waterfall that cascades over the Umpqua River Valley’s basalt lava cliffs. The waterfall also happens to be the state’s third highest and visitors can cross the wood bridge directly below. The Watson Falls trail is best visited from the month of April through November and is used primarily for bird watching, nature trips, and walking. Dogs are permitted on the trail as well.

Abacela in Roseburg, Oregon is a viticulture success story and a multi-award winning and world-class winery. Founders Hilda and Earl Jones, scientists with no experience with making wine, first planted the vines of the vineyard in 1995. They moved around 2,700 miles to the area, leaving secure careers, to test an interesting hypothesis: “Why doesn't America produce any fine varietal Tempranillo wine?” Abacela offers wine tastings seven days a week, May to October from 11:00am until 6:00pm and November to April from 11:00am until 5:00pm. Complimentary tours of the winery facilities and vineyards are offered as well.

12500 Lookingglass Rd, Roseburg, OR 97471, Phone: 541-679-6642

For over fifty year, the Douglas County Museum of History & Natural History has been committed to the collection, preservation, and exhibition of the cultural and natural history items associated with Douglas County in Oregon. The epic story of the over 10,000 years of human history in the area, as well as the stunning nature of the Umpqua River Valley and Cascades Mountains, is told at the Douglas County Museum through artifacts that range from the last standing Oregon and California Railroad depot and the family quits from the Oregon Trail to expertly woven baskets and prehistoric spear points.

123 Museum Dr, Roseburg, OR 97471, Phone: 541-957-7007

The HillCrest Winery and Distillery is the birthplace of the “Oregon Pinot Noir” and the oldest estate winery in the state, sharing in the creation of “Oregon Wine.” The winery was founded by Richard Sommer, known as the “Father of Oregon Wine,” and still continues today with innovating and leading the way for the next generation.. HillCrest was one of fifteen wineries worldwide, and the only winery within the United States, to be recognized as a global innovator in 2014 at the Stift Klosterneuburg, the oldest winery in the world, 900 year celebration.

240 Vineyard Ln, Roseburg, OR 97471, Phone: 541-673-3709

Established in 2001, the Reustle, pronounced like “rus’el,” Prayer Rock Vineyards in Roseburg, Oregon is a family-owned and operated winery. A place for visitors to “feel genuine warmth,” the winery treats its guests like old friends, providing engaging conversation, excellent wine, and spectacular views of the vineyards. A paved walkway winds its way from gardens, French Lavender, and colored stones down through the fruit trees before it ends at the patio overlooking the vineyards and the pond. During the summer season, guests can sip wine underneath shade umbrellas. Chickens can also be seen roaming throughout the property.

Reustle Prayer Rock Vineyards, 960 Cal Henry Road, Roseburg, OR 97471, Phone: 541-459-6060

The Cooper Ridge Vineyards are a family owned and managed winery situated in the middle of the Umpqua Valley. This 25-acres vineyard estate is located along Oregon’s North Umpqua River and grows several different varietals for its wines. Award-winning estate wines produced by Cooper Ridge Vineyards include the Merrill-Ann Red blend, Cuveé, Rosé, Grüner Veltliner, Viognier, Riesling, Tempranillo, Syrah, Merlot, and Pinot Noir. Visitors can stop by the Tasting Room on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays for a wine tasting and a few small plates, as well as gorgeous panoramic views of the mountains to the west and east and the valley below.

1389 Old Garden Valley Rd, Roseburg OR 97471, Phone: 541-671-2373

The Girardet Vineyards & Winery is owned and operated by the Giradet family and produces a wide variety of wines, such as Pinot Gris, Seyval Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling, Tempranillo, Syrah, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, red blends, and more uniquely, Cayuga. The tasting room is open year-round from 11:00am until 5:00pm, Wednesday to Sunday. Guests can also take a tour of the vineyard and cellar by appointment. The Girardet Vineyards and Winery is pet-friendly, as long as dogs are leashed, as well as RV-friendly. Visitors can even stay the night at the Chardonnay Chaley, the vineyard’s Airbnb guest cottage.

895 Reston Road, Roseburg, OR 97471, Phone: 541-679-7252

The Foon Estate Vineyard is a family-owned and operated, small vineyard and winery in Roseburg, Oregon that produces handcrafted wines made solely from the grapes grown in the on-site vineyard within the Umpqua Valley wine region. Visitors can stop in the Foon Estate Vineyard tasting room on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sunday from noon until 5:00pm to sample some of these handcrafted, small batch wines. The vineyard and tasting room can also be visited by appointment. The tasting room, housed in a timber-framed 1850’s barn, offers a comfortable, casual atmosphere, along with views of the vineyard and wine-processing area.

340 Busenbark Ln, Roseburg, OR 97471, Phone: 541-817-7768

The Oran Mor Artisan Meadery is a small-batch, artisan meadery situated within Southern Oregon. The meadery is dedicated to producing an array of handcrafted and delicious meads that draw from the land’s abundance and are inspired by “Ancient traditions.” Each of the meads crafted by Oran Mor is a blend of varietal and local honeys that are fermented, aged, and then “blended to perfection” with a variety of spices, herbs, and seasonal fruit. The Oran Mor Artisan Meadery is open to visitors on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from noon until 6:00pm and on Sundays from noon until 5:00pm.

305 Melrose Rd, Roseburg, OR 97471, Phone: 505-310-1525