Oregon
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DANCIN Vineyards in Medford, Oregon: Tasting Room, Menu, Hours, and More
DANCIN Vineyards is located in Rogue Valley just minutes from Ashland, Medford, and Jacksonville, making their Medford winery and tasting room a convenient beacon amongst travelers and locals who seek good wine.
This Southern Oregon vineyard is known for its Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Barbera, Sangiovese, Syrah, Zinfandel, and Port-style wine.
They craft award-winning wines for you to enjoy. Some popular wines are the 'Assemblage' Chardonnay, 'En Croix' Chardonnay, 'Pas de Chat' Pinot Noir, 'Encore!' Pinot Noir, and more. Visit DANCIN Vineyards website for more details. Drink your wine in the sun or sit in the shade. No matter where you sit, savor the beauty, atmosphere, and location. It's a great community hub whether you're visiting from out of town or if you're a local. You can make reservations ahead of time or just pop in.
DANCIN Vineyards Address: 4477 S Stage Rd, Medford, OR 97501
Medford & Southern Oregon Wineries
Explore the theaters, brewpubs, wineries, and cuisine in Medford, Oregon. The city of Medford is home to Craterian Theater, Prescott Park, Roxy Ann Peak, and more outdoor gems. You can spend a lot of time outdoors in Southern Oregon's forested foothills, enjoying fishing, hiking, and rafting. Check out the Visit Medford website to learn more about the area.
But I know why you're here, and that's for the wine. I get it. When I visited DANCIN Vineyard, it was in the middle of a pretty brutal heatwave in the area, around 113° Fahrenheit. Phewie. Shade, water, air conditioning, sunglasses, hat, and sunscreen were my best friends. I visited DANCIN Vineyards and Rellik Winery (which I reviewed on Yelp).
DANCIN Vineyards Tasting Room
DANCIN Winery in the Rogue Valley has a solid food menu with appetizers, artisan pizzas and flatbreads, salads, and desserts. I was there during a heatwave and they have a bunch of shade as well as misters to try their best to keep people cool. You can enjoy perfect views of the vineyard and hills of Southern Oregon. You'll love the outdoor experience with the occasional bee floating past you as the wind ruffles through the vines. They are dog-friendly so you can bring your pupperoni too. Eat food, sip wine, and enjoy the wine tasting experience.
DANCIN Vineyards Menu
This is the link to their menu on their website. I had the beet salad, which I couldn't find online on their menu, so that might've been a seasonal item. DANCIN Winery has artisan pizzas and flatbreads. You can get gluten-free crust for an additional fee. The Brie & Berries Pizza sounds phenomenal with olive oil, Pennington Farms blackberries, brie, crispy bacon, toasted pecans, and a sprinkle of green onion. They offer bites like stuffed mushrooms, bacon-wrapped dates, shishito peppers, and even a bread and balsamic vinegar situation. There are salads such as Caesar salad, green leaf salad, and Caprese salad. Don't forget the dessert! S'mores, panna cotta, sgroppino, port wine, and more.
Wine Flight
I ordered a wine flight, which allows you to pick five of their wines to sample. Wine flights are the ideal option if you don't want to commit to one wine. Try a few first! They also have some local beers if you prefer. I had a wonderful, peaceful experience in the warm summer afternoon in Medford.
DANCIN Winery Hours
Monday - Closed
Tuesday - Closed
Wednesday 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Thursday 12:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Friday 12:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Saturday 12:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Sunday 12:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Be sure to check their website for the most recent hours to ensure they are open. They also recommend making a reservation which you can do on their website. The DANCIN Vineyard address is 4477 S Stage Rd, Medford, OR 97501. Get a taste of the South Oregon viticulture and reserve a table at DANCIN Vineyards.
Membership
You can also become a member and save up to 25% on bottles. You can receive quarterly wine shipments of three, six, or twelve bottles each. You can access special events at the winery, wine cellar, and piazza. Taste wines in advance of their release date. There are a lot of perks and delicious wine.
Have you been to DANCIN? What's your favorite wine or menu item? Leave a comment!
How to Spend 48 Hours in Portland, Oregon: A Travel Guide
Portland, Oregon is a beautiful city in the Pacific Northwest known for its parks, bridges, microbreweries, coffee houses, & eco-friendliness. This is an ideal destination for travelers in the USA seeking a 48-hour trip, definitely a popular city on the West Coast.
My pro tip: visit in the fall so you can see just how glorious it can be. If you're looking for tips on how to spend 48 hours in Portland, Oregon, this is it! Stroll around downtown Portland, listen to music, play games at the arcade, buy local goods and products, eat food like fresh-baked bread or pizza, sip wine, & relish in everything that is Oregon. Spend a day or two in this magnificent city.
Consult this two-day Portland travel guide if you want to experience all the Portland essentials (but you should stay longer if you can :] ). If you have a travel bug or want to do some more traveling the United States, check out this city.
Consult this two-day Portland travel guide if you want to experience all the Portland essentials (but you should stay longer if you can :] ). If you have a travel bug or want to do some more traveling the United States, check out this city.
Whether enjoy shopping or local craft beer or food, there is a little bit of everything in this city. You'll feel included in some capacity. You'll find a hotel room or restaurant to suit your taste. From Powell's City of Books to scrumptious street food, there's a lot you can do in 48 hours in Portland, Oregon.
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First 24 Hours in Portland: Day 1
9 a.m. - Grab a coffee & pastry from the closest cafe to where you're staying. There are so many delicious patisseries in Portland, you can't go wrong. Try the Tarte Abricot Amande at St. Honoré Boulangerie or the almond croissant at Ken's Artisan Bakery. There are lots of great restaurants and brunch spots. *Instagram-friendly spot!
10 a.m. - Make your way to Waterfront Park for some remarkable river views. Walk the path as you digest your breakfast & take in the fresh air. Sit down and do some people-watching. *Personal Favorite
11 a.m. - Head to Portland Saturday Market, which opens at 10 a.m. This is the spot to thrift if you like vintage shopping. Browse through the vendors & see if anything catches your eye. Grab lunch while you're there. We got some amazing perogies from the Polish food cart.
Spending the Afternoon in Portland
1 p.m. - Spend the afternoon exploring Lan Su Chinese Garden, one of the most authentic Chinese gardens outside of China. The garden melds art, architecture, design, & nature in serene harmony. Tickets are $9.50 for adults. *Personal Favorite & Instagram-friendly spot!
2:30 p.m. - Still hungry? Stop by Alder Street Food Cart Pod or Bamboo Sushi for a bite to eat. Both had a respectable amount of vegetarian options. The city has quite a lot of budding food carts & trucks if you want more affordable, quicker food. There are plenty of restaurants too. You could spend 48 hours in Portland just savoring the different dishes and cuisines.
3:30 p.m. - Make sure to carve out some time for Powell's City of Books in the Pearl District in downtown Portland. You won't want to miss this gargantuan book store. It's more of an experience than a store, really. We grabbed a couple books & some souvenirs. The Pearl District has a lot to offer. *Personal Favorite & Instagram-friendly spot!
5:30 p.m. - Bring some bills & let out your inner child at Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade. Play Creature from the Black Lagoon pinball, Frogger, Donkey Kong, & more.
7:00 p.m. - Like beer? Get a flight of beer at Rogue Distillery & Public House. Pickled Piper was so delicious but opt for a taster rather than a full pint. Getting a flight allows you to sample a variety of the house beers. Wine lovers - there are local spots around downtown for you too. You'll find a menu with craft beer, wine, cocktails, mocktails all around town. There's a bit of everything.
8:30 p.m. - Stand in line & nab a pizza slice at Sizzle Pie in West Portland. Browse the menu while you wait. Grab a seat if you can or simply eat as you head to the next stop.
9 p.m. - Catch a movie at the Living Room Theaters. Seats are super comfortable & you can even drink a beer as you watch your movie. The theater is 21 & up after 7 p.m. Cinema 21 is a bit further away, but it's a great choice if you're looking for indie films. You can purchase beer or wine there too.
2:30 p.m. - Still hungry? Stop by Alder Street Food Cart Pod or Bamboo Sushi for a bite to eat. Both had a respectable amount of vegetarian options. The city has quite a lot of budding food carts & trucks if you want more affordable, quicker food. There are plenty of restaurants too. You could spend 48 hours in Portland just savoring the different dishes and cuisines.
3:30 p.m. - Make sure to carve out some time for Powell's City of Books in the Pearl District in downtown Portland. You won't want to miss this gargantuan book store. It's more of an experience than a store, really. We grabbed a couple books & some souvenirs. The Pearl District has a lot to offer. *Personal Favorite & Instagram-friendly spot!
5:30 p.m. - Bring some bills & let out your inner child at Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade. Play Creature from the Black Lagoon pinball, Frogger, Donkey Kong, & more.
8:30 p.m. - Stand in line & nab a pizza slice at Sizzle Pie in West Portland. Browse the menu while you wait. Grab a seat if you can or simply eat as you head to the next stop.
9 p.m. - Catch a movie at the Living Room Theaters. Seats are super comfortable & you can even drink a beer as you watch your movie. The theater is 21 & up after 7 p.m. Cinema 21 is a bit further away, but it's a great choice if you're looking for indie films. You can purchase beer or wine there too.
11 p.m. - Voodoo Doughnut is open 24-hours a day, so avoid the massive line & go at night. It's a popular spot for tourists & maybe a local or two. The Voodoo Doll doughnut is iconic, but I recommend the Memphis Mafia doughnut with its banana chunks & cinnamon, covered in a glaze with chocolate frosting, peanut butter, peanuts, & chocolate chips. The sign looks better at night anyway. *Instagram-friendly spot!
48 Hours in Portland: Day 2
9 a.m. - Sip on some of Portland's famous coffee. It's one of the city's finest attractions, well the most caffeinated at least. There's Coava Coffee Roasters, Stumptown Coffee Roasters, & so many other options. Check a map to find one close to you. Bonus option: go for tea at Steven Smith Teamaker. Go on a coffee tasting tour! *Instagram-friendly spot!
10 a.m - Breakfast begins at Blue Star Donuts. Yes, donuts again! I went to Blue Star in the afternoon on two different days & they were either closed or sold out. Go in the morning. The longer you're in line, the better everything looks. We got the Raspberry Rosemary Buttercream & the Meyer Lemon & Key Lime Custard donuts. *Instagram-friendly donuts!
11 a.m. - The Portland Japanese Garden is a haven of beauty dedicated to authentic Japanese garden design. Stop and smell the roses at International Rose Test Garden or head to Washington Park. Pittock Mansion is nearby & worth seeing.
2 p.m. - Time for some food & grub. Get ice cream at Ruby Jewel or Salt & Straw. Get a flight of beer & a cup of beer cheese soup at Cascade Brewing Barrel House. Eat the veggie bagel sandwich at Petunia's Pies & Pastries. Loads of tasty options in Portland. Lots of food options if you're staying in downtown Portland, Oregon!
3 p.m. - Head back into downtown & explore the Portland Art Museum. Tickets are $19.99 per adult, which is a bargain if you're an art lover. This may be the perfect place to spend the afternoon if it's particularly rainy or glum outside. Make sure to check museum opening time. They close at 5 p.m. every day besides Thursday & Friday.
5 p.m. - Snap a selfie at the Keep Portland Weird mural on 3rd Street between Burnside & Ankeny before it gets dark. *Instagram-friendly spot!
6 p.m. - After you're done at the mural, walk the Burnside Bridge to check out the White Stag sign. You only need to walk halfway across the bridge to land a good photo. The sign looks better at night. *Personal Favorite & Instagram-friendly spot!
6:30 p.m. - Do you like dive bars, a place that's low key, where the locals are, where everybody knows your name? You've had a long weekend & your trip is winding down. Kells Irish Pub is one of my favorite spots in Portland. Sip on one of their house-made brews & stay for dinner. Their fries are definitely in my top 10 fries EVER. Decent amount of vegetarian options too!
10 a.m - Breakfast begins at Blue Star Donuts. Yes, donuts again! I went to Blue Star in the afternoon on two different days & they were either closed or sold out. Go in the morning. The longer you're in line, the better everything looks. We got the Raspberry Rosemary Buttercream & the Meyer Lemon & Key Lime Custard donuts. *Instagram-friendly donuts!
11 a.m. - The Portland Japanese Garden is a haven of beauty dedicated to authentic Japanese garden design. Stop and smell the roses at International Rose Test Garden or head to Washington Park. Pittock Mansion is nearby & worth seeing.
2 p.m. - Time for some food & grub. Get ice cream at Ruby Jewel or Salt & Straw. Get a flight of beer & a cup of beer cheese soup at Cascade Brewing Barrel House. Eat the veggie bagel sandwich at Petunia's Pies & Pastries. Loads of tasty options in Portland. Lots of food options if you're staying in downtown Portland, Oregon!
3 p.m. - Head back into downtown & explore the Portland Art Museum. Tickets are $19.99 per adult, which is a bargain if you're an art lover. This may be the perfect place to spend the afternoon if it's particularly rainy or glum outside. Make sure to check museum opening time. They close at 5 p.m. every day besides Thursday & Friday.
5 p.m. - Snap a selfie at the Keep Portland Weird mural on 3rd Street between Burnside & Ankeny before it gets dark. *Instagram-friendly spot!
6 p.m. - After you're done at the mural, walk the Burnside Bridge to check out the White Stag sign. You only need to walk halfway across the bridge to land a good photo. The sign looks better at night. *Personal Favorite & Instagram-friendly spot!
Our first 30 minutes arriving in Portland late one evening, Fred & I felt hungry, tired, & unmotivated to figure out what to eat. I ultimately stepped up to lead us on a walk to nowhere. Most things were closed & I didn't have a plan but we just happened upon Kells Irish Pub. I swear those fries tasted like the most decadent fries in the entire world. We left with our bellies full & our minds happy with the start of our Portland trip. *Personal Favorite
8 p.m. - The night is young. Giggle a bit at Helium Comedy Club. Listen to some tunes at the historic Crystal Ballroom. Hit up Commons Brewery. Make a pit stop at Splash Bar grab a drink & play some of their free arcade games.
8 p.m. - The night is young. Giggle a bit at Helium Comedy Club. Listen to some tunes at the historic Crystal Ballroom. Hit up Commons Brewery. Make a pit stop at Splash Bar grab a drink & play some of their free arcade games.
No matter what you like in life, spend one day or two in the heart of Portland. You'll have a nice experience walking the area, stop to shop if something catches your eye. Hike some trails & take in Portland's gorgeous views, especially in autumn. I love the way the sunbeams & light hits the leaves. It will remain in my heart.
Got extra time? Want to try something that's not on the Portland travel guide list?
- Attend a Portland Timbers game.
- Spend the day at Colombia River Gorge looking at all the waterfalls & nature.
- Visit the Freakybuttrue Peculiarium for some oddities & curiosities.
- Go to Washington Park.
- Have a fun-filled day of adventure, snowboarding, and more on Mount Hood.
Take your family and enjoy the features of this Pacific Northwest location. Walk around the streets and explore the neighborhood. No matter how long you spend in the city, you'll find ways to have fun throughout your experience. Would you spend one day or more a few days in Portland?
The Best Coffee Shops in Portland, Oregon + What Is a Coffee Cupping?
When I think about Portland, I picture those golden trees with leaves galore, the nippy mornings, the endless walking, the delicious donuts, & the coffee. Oh, the coffee. In order to stay alive & function with all the steps we trekked, Fred & I definitely needed some caffeine.
Related reading: How to Spend 48 Hours in Portland, Oregon: A Travel Guide
Thanks to Third Wave Coffee Tours*, Fred & I spent one morning exploring some of the finest coffee options in Portland, Oregon. I opted for their Pioneering Eastside Roasters Coffee Tour, a three-hour guided tour on the east side of the Willamette River.
The Eastside tour starts at 10 a.m. on Fridays & introduces you to top-notch espresso, cold brew variations, & even a cupping experience — the practice of observing the tastes & aromas in brewed coffee, basically a coffee tasting. This tour introduces you to the pioneering micro-roasters that sparked the third wave coffee revolution.
The Eastside tour starts at 10 a.m. on Fridays & introduces you to top-notch espresso, cold brew variations, & even a cupping experience — the practice of observing the tastes & aromas in brewed coffee, basically a coffee tasting. This tour introduces you to the pioneering micro-roasters that sparked the third wave coffee revolution.
The tour began at Portland Roasting Coffee — a sustainable & carbon neutral company — where we waited a few minutes for the rest of the tour members to join. We tried the small but mighty macchiato with a bite of cookie before we were on our way to the next stop, Steven Smith Teamaker.
Yep, we went to a tea place during the coffee tour. Steven Smith is actually the mastermind behind Tazo Tea as well as Stash Tea. Go figure. We tried nitro chai tea with a touch of half & half. It was utterly glorious; I still dream about it. We also sampled both the iced & hot tea versions of the Sparkling Strawberry Honeybush. As a tea fan, this was my favorite stop of the day.
Then we began the journey to Stumptown Coffee Roasters, a brand that focuses heavily on sustainability, direct trade, & paying their coffee farmers liveable wages. The Stumptown visit was abundant in its information & coffee samplings. We sipped on quite a view varieties, but I was particularly in love with the Stumptown Chocolate Cold Brew, which is essentially coffee spiked chocolate milk. Yes please.
Next up on the tour was Coava Coffee Roasters with their cool & open wooden interior. Instead of using the traditional but wasteful paper filters, they created their own handmade cones with tiny holes to strain the coffee. We tried a single shot Guatemala macchiato & nibbled on bits of a cookie.
Our last coffee shop spot was Upper Left Roasters, where we sipped on their cold brew coffee with hazelnut macadamia milk. To wash everything down, we got a bite of their delicious country wheat toast with macadamia nut butter & banana. I'm not ashamed to admit that I grabbed a second piece of toast.
I left the Pioneering Eastside Roasters Coffee Tour feeling high on coffee & ready to take over the world. It's the perfect experience for any coffee lover, & I give it bonus points because there was time for tea. If you're in Portland & enjoy your fair share of coffee, Third Wave Coffee Tours is spot on.
Then we began the journey to Stumptown Coffee Roasters, a brand that focuses heavily on sustainability, direct trade, & paying their coffee farmers liveable wages. The Stumptown visit was abundant in its information & coffee samplings. We sipped on quite a view varieties, but I was particularly in love with the Stumptown Chocolate Cold Brew, which is essentially coffee spiked chocolate milk. Yes please.
Next up on the tour was Coava Coffee Roasters with their cool & open wooden interior. Instead of using the traditional but wasteful paper filters, they created their own handmade cones with tiny holes to strain the coffee. We tried a single shot Guatemala macchiato & nibbled on bits of a cookie.
What is a Coffee Cupping?
A cupping is a coffee tasting where you observe the tastes & aromas in brewed coffee. For our cupping experience, we ventured to Buckman Coffee Factory. The cupping begins with smelling the freshly ground coffee & pointing out any odor descriptors such as earthy, floral, spicy, etc. Step two is to add water & smell again. The third step is to break the crust by taking a spoon & pushing the floating coffee grounds away while smelling again. The last step is to taste the coffee & compare notes with the others.Our last coffee shop spot was Upper Left Roasters, where we sipped on their cold brew coffee with hazelnut macadamia milk. To wash everything down, we got a bite of their delicious country wheat toast with macadamia nut butter & banana. I'm not ashamed to admit that I grabbed a second piece of toast.
I left the Pioneering Eastside Roasters Coffee Tour feeling high on coffee & ready to take over the world. It's the perfect experience for any coffee lover, & I give it bonus points because there was time for tea. If you're in Portland & enjoy your fair share of coffee, Third Wave Coffee Tours is spot on.
* Disclaimer: Third Wave Coffee Tours provided the tour in exchange for an honest blog post about my experience. All opinions are 100% mine aka Carmen's. Learn more about my disclosure. :]
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