Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 45 miles, approximately 1.5 hours round trip. Walking up to several blocks at a time on sidewalks, gradual hills and sometimes uneven terrain. May need to stand for long periods during winery visit.
In the hotel’s Palm Room, we’ll enjoy a buffet with items including pastries, cereal, hard-boiled eggs, fruit, and yogurt. Organic coffee, tea, juice and water will also be provided.
We will board our motorcoach and begin our "feast" day with a visit to Central Point's Artisan Corridor. With the annual Oregon Chocolate Festival every spring, Ashland, and the surrounding area, is home to a variety of chocolate makers and confectioneries. At a local chocolatier, we will have the chance to learn about the production process, hear the history of artisan chocolate in the Rogue Valley, and taste a variety of treats. Following our visit, we will head next door to Rogue Creamery. Well-know for their creamy blue and cheddar cheeses, Rogue Creamery was dubbed the winner of the World's Best Cheese award at the 2019 World Cheese Awards in Italy. We will have the chance to taste some of their award-winning cheeses and see firsthand how the cheese is made with a look inside the cheddar production room.
At the creamery, we will enjoy a lunch of fresh grilled-cheese sandwiches with choice of non-alcoholic beverages; additional beverages available for purchase.
Next, we’ll board our private motorcoach to explore Oregon’s oldest grape-growing region and visit a local winery. At the winery, we’ll learn from the vintner and other staff involved in grape production about how the unique terrain of the Rogue Valley produces the conditions for a wide range of popular grape varietals. We’ll conclude with a wine tasting. After our tasting, we will board the motorcoach and return to the hotel where we will listen to another lecture given by a local expert. Enjoy the remainder of the afternoon to explore the city with free time.
At a local favorite restaurant, we’ll have a 3-course plated meal with appetizer, entrée chosen from a select menu, dessert, coffee, tea, water; other beverages available for purchase.
Returning to our hotel meeting room, we’ll have a class led by a theatre expert. Subjects vary according to schedules and availability at the time of the program. Some possibilities might include learning about the costume design process, how the stage manager runs the show, Shakespearean language and literary history, the life of an actor, or how an actor researches a role.
