More than 400 guests celebrate Umpqua Valley wines at Oregon’s longest-running wine event
Photo Caption: From Left to Right, MC Jay Couron, HillCrest Vineyard’s Hanna DeMara, Freed Estate’s Bryan Freed, Abacela’s Andrew Wenzl and Greg Jones, Trella Vineyards’ Michael Williams, and Executive Director Ali Rodgers.
CANYONVILLE, Ore. — The 55th annual Greatest of the Grape on March 7th, 2026, Saturday evening, at Seven Feathers Casino Resort brought together more than 400 guests to celebrate wines from across the Umpqua Valley.
A non-red wine has claimed the “Greatest of the Grape” award for the fourth consecutive year. Awards went to:
- “Greatest of the Grape” Overall Award: Abacela Winery – 2025 Grenache Rosé
- Best Non-Red Wine: Abacela Winery – 2025 Grenache Rosé
- Best Red Wine: HillCrest Vineyard and Winery – 2020 Teroldego Reserve
- Non-Red Wine Runner-up: Trella Vineyards – 2024 Grüner Veltliner
- Red Wine Runner-up: Freed Estate Winery – 2022 Reserve Merlot
Unlike 2025, this year’s entries were judged by a panel of wine professionals. Judges included:
- Jeff Stern, Certified Specialist of Wine | Seven Feathers Casino Resort
- Sarah Everman, Certified Specialist of Wine and Level 1 Sommelier | The Wine Destination
- Keith Tidball, Certified Specialist of Wine and Level 1 Sommelier | The Wine Destination
- Robert Douglas, WSET Level 3 | The Secret Wine Society
- Annabelle Ellis Caudle, WSET Level 2 with distinction and introductory sommelier | Mindpower Gallery
“In an effort to elevate our region and gain wider recognition of Umpqua Valley wines, we brought in a panel of wine experts and conducted a formal blind tasting a few days before the event. This gave our wineries meaningful, expert-backed recognition they can use to amplify their visibility,” said Ali Rodgers, executive director of the Umpqua Valley Winegrowers Association, which organizes the event.
Guests sampled 38 wines from regional producers paired with delectable bites. Attendees also voted for the Best Decorated Table, awarded to Richwine Vineyards.
Participating wineries donated more than 200 bottles to the Wheel of Wine, raising over $3,000 for Peace at Home Advocacy Center, which helps victims of domestic abuse, sexual assault, stalking and human trafficking.
“When nonprofits are able to collaborate, we are building a more resilient Douglas County for everyone,” said Melanie Prummer, executive director of Peace at Home.
The silent auction raised about $5,000 to support the association’s work promoting the Umpqua Valley as a world-class wine destination.
The next Greatest of the Grape is scheduled for Feb. 6, 2027, at Seven Feathers Casino Resort.