The World of Wine
Friday, June 17, 2011
Hey wine adventurers, let's go for a southern Oregon wike!
by Jennifer Margulis
Now that we’ve firmly established (and we all agree) the new kid in town, southern Oregon, is producing wines that deserve more attention, have as much flavor, and are as palate-pleasing as those made by our friends over the border in northern California, it’s time to talk about innovative ways to enjoy a glass of southern Oregon wine.
One doesn’t usually think of backpackers with five o’clock shadow and sore ankles enjoying fine wine, and one usually assumes that wine aficionados are more likely to pair un bon vin with an artisanal cheese than with a romp through the woods.
But the combination of hiking and wine tasting is becoming such a trend in Oregon that it even has a name: wiking.
Though I recently wrote about this trend in the New York Times, I’ve yet to go for a wike. It’s high on my summer to do list (along with wine rafting, wine biking, and wine horseback riding!).
The best wike in our region is the brain child of Brad Niva, the 41-year-old owner of Rogue Wilderness Adventures (325 Galice Road, Merlin, Ore.; 800-336-1647; wildrogue.com), who’s also credited with coining the term.
Brad’s a big man with a likable, blustery affect and a huge love of nature. He got the idea to do wiking trips when his river trips grew in popularity after combining rafting with wine education (they call these “Paddles & Pinot”). 
Brad’s the kind of guy who likes to think big and take chances. He’s already planning for next summer’s outdoor adventures, and may try hiring a professional storyteller to teach hikers how to spin yarns.
On Brad’s September wiking trips nature lovers will spend four days hiking ten miles a day on a pack-mule trail forged by miners over 100 years ago that runs alongside southern Oregon’s Rogue River, sleeping in lodges accessible only by foot or boat.
There will be nightly wine tastings and oenology talks by a winemaker.
The wines to be sampled each night will come from — you guessed it — southern Oregon and elsewhere in the state. A raft carrying equipment will float alongside hikers, available to anyone who wants a glimpse of the Rogue River’s beavers, otters, and black bear. You don’t lose weight on these trips. Guides are known to serve fresh-caught Chinook salmon for lunch.
“Our hiking customer is very sophisticated,” Brad said. “Wine is a product that’s as close to the dirt as you can get. But this is the good life, no doubt about it.”
I’m inspired! I think it’s time to wrap a chilled bottle of wine in newspaper, add an ice pack, grab the stemware and head towards Grizzly Peak. What kind of wine do you recommend I pack for the trip?
Readers, we want to hear from you. Have you ever been on a wike? What was your most memorable wine tasting experience? What is your favorite Oregon wine? Please share your thoughts in the comment section below (yes, you have to register but it only takes a minute, honest.)
In Wine Lifestyle, Jennifer Margulis | Tagged with wine, southern oregon, margulis, lifestyle, wiking
I have not yet been on a wike! It sounds delightful. My most memorable wine tasting experience was in Burgundy, France, on my honeymoon. My (now former) husband worked for Sherry Lehmann, and so we got to meet with winemakers at Louis Jadot and Francois Faiveley--we went into their cellars, tasted from barrels...I will never forget the pleasant dampness, the smells of the grapes, and the earth...
I haven't been on a wike, but it sounds like a reason to visit Oregon. I once had a really good Pinot Noir in a restaurant (in New England) and was told to always order one from Oregon. So even though I don't know anything about wine, I can fake it if need be. Great piece!!
Never been on a wike, but wow would I love to. We are northern californians who love any pinot from the Santa Lucia Highlands. We loved Oregon, too, though, so we should hike on up there and get to know the "new kid in town."
I've never been on a wike, but I'm a big believer in adding wine to all kinds of tasks to make them better (e.g., waundry, walancing the checkbook, visits to the wentist, etc.)! What is it about fermented grapes that makes life so much better?? Terrific piece, Jennifer!
My MIL lives in Merlin. Next time we're in the area, I'll have to look Brad up. Maybe we can squeeze in a wike...
Okay, so Wiking I is full on September 15th. We've now added Wiking II on September 10th. 2012 dates are now set for three Wiking trips. Do we have a favorite Southern Oregon Winery we should invite for Wiking? Please let us know.
Great idea to combine the beauty of the region and the wines! I'm fairly new to Southern Oregon and have just started visiting the wineries. Love the view at Trium in Talent but not so keen on their wines. The owner of the Jacksonville tasting room for South Stage Cellars was very knowledgable, and they are open later than many wine tasting rooms. No view though.
I like this way to pair two activities that seem natural to southern Oregon. sounds like a great way to celebrate summer and early fall.
A wike? What a cool idea!
Well ... I tend to drink only water when I hike, but if I knew there would be good food and WINE at the end of the trek ... I could probably be convinced.
LOVE the idea (and name) of a wike. I would definitely do this, as I love both the "w" and the "ike" parts. I recently toured some vineyards in Napa Valley on an electric bike and that was a blast!
This sounds like such fun. I like guys who "think big and take chances." Going to check out the Web site now. Thanks!
Wiking... sounds like something they'd definitely do here in Traverse City. Or if not, they should.
Sounds fun. I've been on wine tasting walks before in Europe and have enjoyed it immensely.
I haven't wiked before but this sounds like just the kind of active experience that my baby boomer readers would love.
Oregon pinot noir from Willamette Valley Vineyards is one of my favorite wines. And though some say fine wine is not for cooking with, I love to cook with their pinot noir- especially when I pair it with local cranberries in a berry, pinot noir, mascarpone cream pie I baked recently.
love wine, kind of like hiking -- but I'm convinced a good part of the fun would be simply telling people I'm going wiking.