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About Illinois Valley news. (Cave City, Oregon) 1937-current | View Entire Issue (May 27, 2009)
Continued from page 9 Bridgeview is poised to con- tinue its growth far into the fu- ture, as many of the Kerivans’ children and grandchildren are involved in the business. In fact, one grandson has been spending much time in New Zealand, learning the delicate art of wine- making. For more information on Bridgeview, phone (541) 592-4688 or (877)273-4843, or visit bridge- viewwine.com. Foris Vineyards Ted and Teri Gerber estab- lished Foris Vineyards in 1986 at 654 Kendall Road. Since then, it has expanded its distribution to 29,000 cases per year sold throughout 42 states. Foris grows several white wine grapes at the Kendall Road site, including Muscat, Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc and Gewürztraminer. The company also offers several red wines, such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Another variety, Cave Bear Red, is a blend and benefits the Chateau at the Oregon Caves. Two of Foris’ wildlife label wines benefit Wildlife Images in Merlin. The tasting room at Foris is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week, and is only closed on major holidays. For more information, phone (800) 843-6747. 25870 Redwood Hwy. (541) 592-3265 Mon.-Sat. 4:30 a.m. - 10 p.m. Sun. 5:30 a.m. - 10 p.m. 20 Draper Valley Vineyard What sets Draper Valley Vineyard apart from similar busi- nesses is the fact that while it still grows wine grapes, its final product is com- pletely non- alcoholic. Draper Val- ley was estab- lished in the early 1980s, and was purchased in 2002 by Alvin and Sandy Cur- tice. Prior to that, Alvin Curtice spent most of his career doing con- struction work in Napa Valley, Calif. Although Alvin Curtice acknowledges that adjusting to the life of a wine- maker took “lots of hard work,” he said it is getting much easier for him. “We’ve picked up a few pieces of equipment that made the process easier,” he said. “We’ve made some major pro- gress.” The Curtices enjoyed a good harvest in 2008, and are now working to expand the market for Draper Valley’s grape juice. Internet sales are up 57 per- cent over last year, Alvin Curtice said, and new brochures have been produced and mailed out to “good results.” Draper Valley is also in talks with distributors in the Middle East. That particular market may be perfect for their product, as Muslims are forbidden from drinking alcohol, Alvin Curtice Southwestern Oregon’s Illinois Valley said. The next step for Draper Val- ley is to establish a tasting room and facility tours, in order to take advantage of its location at 1751 Draper Valley Road, right off Hwy. 199. For more information, phone (541) 597-4737 or visit draperval- leyvineyard.com. Windridge Vineyard Throughout the years, the Windridge Vineyard property, located at 2789 Holland Loop Road, has been many things. At one point, it was part of the historic Ft. Briggs property. The base of the driveway once housed a lumber mill, and many barns have been raised and lev- eled there over time. Traces of an old racetrack are still visible, and many old race- horses are buried on the property, Continued on page 21
