July 25, 2022 3:20 a.m.
The Douglas County Museum of History & Natural History has opened the “History of Wine in the Umpqua Valley” exhibit.
A release said the new limited-time exhibit navigates visitors through the illustrious and rich history of the local industry, from pre-prohibition to post-prohibition to the wide array of world-renowned vineyards that are growing in the area today.
The exhibit took about eight months to complete and was curated by Museum Operations Tech, Eric Winslow, with help from Museum Director James Davis, Museum Research Librarian Karen Bratton and department assistant Meredith Hutchison. The release said many historians credit the beginning of the Oregon wine industry to pioneer immigrants that settled and planted grape varietals in the fertile lands of the Melrose area. Winslow worked with fifth generation descendants from the areas first wine families, Doerner and Von Pessl, as well as innovators Girardet, Abacela, Henry Estate, Hillcrest and Reustle Prayer Rock Vineyards to collect memorabilia, artifacts and tell the stories that celebrate the local wine history.
In addition, the Museum plans to feature periodic tastings of Umpqua Valley wines within the new exhibit and opportunities for local winery tours.
The Museum is open Tuesdays through Saturdays 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission is free for members, children up to age 4 are free, students age 5-17 are $2, and adults are $8. Seniors and veterans are admitted for $5.
Go to: https: https://umpquavalleymuseums.org/ for more information on the Douglas County Museum of History & Natural History.