The “mighty meat” pizza, foreground, from food truck Pizza Mia integrated pepperoni, sausage and linguica. [Sarah Lemon/Mail Tribune]
The “mighty meat” pizza, foreground, from food truck Pizza Mia included pepperoni, sausage and linguica. [Sarah Lemon/Mail Tribune]
Veggie pizza from food truck pizza Mia consisted of fresh basil, tomatoes and peppers. [Sarah Lemon/Mail Tribune]
Peter William rose from Medford is among the regional wines poured at The Rogue Grape white wine bar and bottle shop in Central Point. [Sarah Lemon/Mail Tribune]
Seating at The Rogue Grape is readily available on a patio, covered with shade awnings, soon to be enhanced with a weather-proof cover, fire-pit tables and heating towers. [Sarah Lemon/Mail Tribune]
There’s a new “rogue” in Central Point’s “craftsmen passage.”
Rogue Creamery has welcomed The Rogue Grape wine bar and bottle store– between Lillie Belle Farms and Coquette Bakery– to the strip of Front Street stores that probably represents the region’s most differentiated specialty foods manufacturers.
Dividing with Coquette the building that formerly housed Journal David Cellars, The Rogue Grape moved from Jacksonville’s Bigham Knoll, where it sought sanctuary in early 2021 from the pandemic’s rigors on downtown Medford. Originally opening The Rogue Grape about 5 years back, owner Natasha Hopkins is wed to Sean Hopkins, co-producer with Tom Homewood of Awen Winecraft white wines.
Although The Rogue Grape took advantage of a site with more outside seating, Bigham Knoll eventually wasn’t visible adequate to either locals or tourists, stated Hopkins. Close proximity to a world champion cheese naturally expands her sphere for showcasing the region’s wines.
And there’s strong indication white wine fanatics making Pacific Northwest expeditions will look for The Rogue Grape. The Rogue Valley recently was nominated as Wine Region of the Year amongst Wine Enthusiast Publication’s 2022 Red wine Star Awards. Local residents also are paying attention to The Rogue Grape’s live music schedule and food truck partnerships.
Going To Hopkins’ Bigham Knoll location over the summer, I was charmed not just by the setting however an utterly delicious glass of Troon 2021 Piquette! My sis asked for a glass of Noise & & Vision shimmering zinfandel to accompany a conscientiously put together cheese platter with generous parts of warm baguette and fresh fruit together with sharp cheddar, chèvre, Gouda and Gorgonzola.
Cheese and snack plates at The Rogue Grape’s new– much smaller location– will be build-your-own affairs from the in-house stock of treated meats, olives, hummus, crackers, cookies and dressings, said Hopkins. Customers choose their goodies, and she supplies the cheeseboards and utensils.
The Rogue Grape likewise welcomes guests to bring buy from its artisan next-door neighbors– or dining establishment takeout– to take pleasure in on site with a glass or bottle of white wine. Hopkins includes more wine-pairing chances with a weekly lineup of local food trucks, from Truffle Pig Craft Cooking area’s farm-to-table food to Pizza Mia’s wood-fired pies.
The previous chef-owned truck I’ve enjoyed on numerous occasions and reviewed in this column. The latter had actually stayed evasive, mostly staying with Sundays at Daisy Creek Vineyard in Jacksonville.
When Pizza Mia’s existence at The Rogue Grape corresponded with a Thursday evening devoid of kids’ sports practices, I asked a colleague if she wished to begin the weekend early. Local musical artist Gary Margason was on hand to serenade clients with “sentimental covers and classy originals.”
Hopkins’ taste in white wine inevitably goes beyond the labels and varietals most represented in the Rogue Valley. Up-and-comer Peter William Vineyard of Medford headlined The Rogue Grape’s red wine flight and by-the-glass list the evening I visited. Planted by two regional physicians on the hillside below their residence, Peter William took home double gold for its 2018 Syrah at this year’s Oregon White wine Experience.
Peter William’s increased was priced enticingly at a mere $8 per glass. But I also wanted to attempt Cliff Creek Cellars syrah, which concluded the flight. In between were tastes of Kriselle Cellars albarino and Irvine & & Roberts pinot noir. The flight’s price of $10 sounded ideal to both me and my co-worker, Julia.
I bet the very first two white wines would make light, revitalizing sippers while we waited on pizzas to bake. The reds I planned to enjoy with Pizza Mia’s “magnificent meat,” boasting linguica, sausage and pepperoni in addition to olives and artichoke hearts.
Julia replicated the artichoke hearts on Pizza Mia’s veggie pie with pesto, tomato, mushrooms and sweet peppers. Other garnishes were Margherita; natural pepperoni; Canadian bacon, pineapple and jalapeno; and Italian sausage, bell pepper, onion and olives.
Whole pizzas were priced at $14 apiece. A half might be had for $7. Dough made fresh daily can go gluten-free for an additional dollar (whole pizzas just).
The Rogue Grape staffer pouring red wines that evening primed our tastes buds at the bar inside prior to encouraging us to take the very first number of ounces– increased and white– outside. Providing a few tables and chairs in front of its shop on the warm night, The Rogue Grape sports on its south side a surprisingly spacious patio, covered with shade awnings for summer season, quickly to be augmented with a weather-proof cover, fire-pit tables and heating towers, Hopkins said. A couple of comfortable blankets can be borrowed, also.
We ‘d hardly drained the very first 2 glasses when our 3rd and fourth gotten here, right before the food truck’s buzzers announced our pizzas’ preparedness. Well charred crust cradled just the best amounts of cheese and toppings.
Fresh basil shreds punched up raw tomato slices and diced pepper on Julia’s veggie pizza. The artichoke hearts– more like individual leaves– might have remained in more powerful evidence on both pies. Next time, I ‘d try the Canadian bacon with jalapeno with a complete glass of rose and keep an eye on The Rogue Grape’s Instagram for the current food truck schedule, also published on its site, theroguegrape.com/Events
Located at 245 N. Front St., The Rogue Grape is open from 11 a.m to 6 p.m. Sunday through Tuesday, until 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. Purchase white wines at theroguegrape.com or call 541-324-1447.
Reach features editor Sarah Lemon at 541-776-4494 or [email protected]!.?.!