Bayer Family Estate is the newest family-owned vineyard and tasting room on the Upper Rogue Wine Trail just outside Medford. Driving into the estate with its vine-covered walls, expansive iron gates, and Italianate buildings, you might feel as if you’re in Tuscany. But once inside the tasting room, with its view of the arena where founder Jim Bayer’s daughters used to train alongside other world-class equestrians, you’ll recognize this as a unique Rogue Valley wine venue that celebrates Italian varietals and horses.

The original use of the 90-acre property was as an equestrian center. Bayer explains, “My wife got her first horse from Wayne Newton in Las Vegas years ago. She was an incredible equestrian, with both US and Canadian national championships.” After Bayer’s enterprise transitioned from equestrian facility to vineyard, he maintained the horse-centric theme. “If you look on our wine label it’s got a horse coming out of water and lilies. That’s the legend of the brook horse.” The Scandinavian folk tale of the bäckahäst (translated as “brook horse”) intertwines horses, love and the need to be near water, a fitting reflection of Bayer’s passion for wine, horses and his vineyard land by the Rogue River.

Though the arena is now used as a multi-event space, the family horses are still pastured near the tasting room. If your idea of a perfect winetasting experience is to enjoy a glass in a magnificent equestrian setting, Bayer can accommodate. “Opening the doors of our tasting room is a dream come true,” he says. “Eight years ago we set out to plant an estate vineyard that would produce award-winning wines. Our hard work has turned that dream into a reality.”

The Brook Horse brand debuted in 2013. Made under the meticulous hand of winemaker Eric Weisinger, the Bayer Family Estate portfolio of Italian varietals has drawn wide acclaim. With rich fruit notes and long finish, the Brook Horse 2013 Zinfandel won a coveted gold medal in the 2017 San Francisco Chronicle International Wine Competition. The 2015 Barbera took a double gold at the same competition in 2018. These and other wine awards decorate the tasting room where equestrian medals once claimed pride of place.

While enjoying Brook Horse wines and literally watching the horses frolic is a wonderful way to spend a day, Bayer Family Estate also puts on a robust and exciting summer concert series, pairing live music of local bands with fresh plates from an array of food trucks. The concert series starts May 11 and runs all summer long. You can also get a good game of corn hole in while you’re there.

Bayer Family Estate is open Thursday through Sunday, from noon-6:00pm, at 11663 Agate Road, Eagle Point, Oregon 97524. The friendly staff looks forward to meeting you!

©Southern Oregon Wine Scene – from the Summer 2019 issue