Local Businesses Team Up to Showcase Jacksonville's New Gold

It’s the new normal. A group of one-time business competitors in Jacksonville are seeing the value and the power of working together to showcase what they’ve known all along. The once boomtown of Southern Oregon’s Gold Rush has a new gold flowing through their town — their wines. NBC5’s Laura Cavanaugh explains.

Driving along South Stage Road in Jacksonville, among the majestic vistas and miles of vineyards, there’s a new spirit of collaboration in the air. A coalition of six vineyards, once competitors, are now working together to draw visitors to Jacksonville by highlighting their unique wine tasting experience. It’s called the Jacksonville Winery Association, or JOWA.

They are showcasing the opportunity to stay, sip and play– and you don’t have to go far. There are three in-town tasting rooms, South Stage Cellars, Quady North and Umpqua, and three farms, Dancin, Daisy Creek and Caprice, all within one mile of the downtown core.

By car, by bike or by foot, one can transport themselves to what feels like a Tuscan villa or a French chateau, to a hot local music scene or a working farm with baby alpacas, each winery takes pride in their unique offerings. But they each have committed to support and cross-promote the other and give visitors a passport to Jacksonville.

This weekend JOWA is unveiling its partnership with a unique opportunity for dads. This Saturday and Sunday, June 15th and 16th, especially for Fathers Day weekend, all fathers can receive a free tasting flight and pairing from 1-5pm. And if you want to find out more, you can log online at jacksonvillewineries.com