Oops! Did the calendar just jump from February 1st to the 14th overnight? If you just realized that today is the day and you’re currently staring at a blank Valentine’s Day card with a look of pure panic, take a deep breath. You aren’t alone, and no, you don’t have to settle for a wilted grocery store rose and a frozen pizza.
We’ve rounded up some great local Valentine’s Day ideas that will make it look like you’ve had this planned for months. Whether you’re looking for classic romance or something a little more off the wall, here are three ways to save the day (and your relationship).
1. Explore Southern Oregon’s Wineries
If you need Valentine’s Day date ideas that offer a high sophistication-to-effort ratio, the Southern Oregon Wine Trail is your best friend. Nothing says “I definitely remembered to plan something for Valentine’s” like a scenic drive through the vines. Here are a few of our recommendations for great local wineries to knock your Valentine’s socks off (although, it’s going to be a little chilly today, so they might want to keep their socks on.)
Irvine & Roberts (Ashland)
Irvine & RobertsWith a quiet, laid-back atmosphere and offering absolutely stunning views of the South Ashland hills, Irvine & Roberts is the perfect location for an intimate Valentine’s date with a superb bottle of wine. They specialize in pinot noirs, but they also have a nice range of whites and a well-balanced rose. Their artisan farm boards are a perfect complement to the experience.
Get ahead of the crowds and reserve your tasting appointment online or by calling the tasting room at 541.482.9383.
DANCIN (Medford)
Another gorgeous winery, hosting Tuscan architecture and vibrant gardens with walking trails and koi ponds that wrap around the tasting room. You can’t go wrong with any of their wine selections, and their menu is to die for (I strongly recommend you try the Stuffed Mushrooms). They are also hosting an event tonight that is one of the best Valentine’s Day Dinner ideas you can have in the Rogue Valley, so get your reservations while you can!
Edenvale (Medford)
EdenvaleThere’s really no shortage of amazing views at our local wineries, but Edenvale is unique for hosting their tasting room of the historic Voorhies Mansion. If your Valentine’s boo is a bit on the spooky side, you might get some creativity points for taking them here on the Valentine’s Day that falls right after Friday the 13th. And even if not, they serve excellent wines and cider, the grounds offer an opportunity to explore, and the dog-friendly location is hosting a “My Furry Valentine” with Friends of the Animals (FOTAS), a wonderful organization that we’ve held donation drives with in the past.
*The author accepts no responsibility if your Valentine decides to adopt a pet after a bottle of Edenvale wine or cider, but we can help you get pet insurance afterwards. Good luck with that.
2. Have A Romantic Picnic
Maybe the local bistros are booked solid, but who needs a crowded restaurant when you can create a private 5-star experience? If you’re hunting for Valentine’s Day ideas that feel intimate and personal, grab a blanket and head to one of our favorite local picnic spots.
To really level up, don’t just throw some ham on bread. A romantic charcuterie board is the ultimate Valentine’s Day gift idea because it’s edible art, and your Valentine will be impressed at the effort you put into making the date special.
We recommend Rogue Creamery for some award-winning cheese and accompaniments, Ryan Rose Wine for your wine pairing, and Coquette Bakery for fresh-baked, European-style bread and pastries. All three are conveniently located right next to each other, right off of Highway 99 in Central Point.
A Quick-But-Impressive Charcuterie Guide:
- – The Cheeses: Grab two or three different cheeses that sound appealing, at least one hard and one soft.
- – The “Roses”: Fold slices of salami or chorizo (for that deep red color) over the rim of a wine glass to create meat roses. It takes 30 seconds and looks incredibly fancy.
- – The Sweet Stuff: Fill the gaps with dark chocolate squares, strawberries or other fresh fruit, and some fig jam or preserves.
Now that you’ve acquired the ingredients and assembled your charcuterie picnic, it’s time to pack it up along with your Valentine’s date, and head out to your picnic spot. If you’re getting all of your ingredients in Central Point, just start driving toward Table Rock. You’re going to want to stop in TouVelle and lay your blanket right in view of the river.
Warning: Prepare for Romance.
Also, shout-out to Lanessa Pierce for the beautiful photo of TouVelle. You can see more of her work at What to do in Southern Oregon.
3. For the Non-Traditional Valentine’s Day Ideas
Flowers and chocolate are great, but maybe your partner isn’t into the “mushy” stuff. If your Valentine is more into proving they have the skills to pull off a heist, or maybe they’re just a little bit feral and want to break something, these Valentine’s Day ideas will hit the mark. From smashing plates to solving mysteries, Southern Oregon has plenty of ways to get your heart racing without the candlelight.
Escape Ashland (Ashland)
Escape Ashland offers two escape room games: The Scottish Play, based on MacBeth to go along with Ashland’s Oregon Shakespeare Festival; and The Ramblin’ Rogue Saloon, a fun way to honor our region’s Old West history. They also have an outdoor puzzle hunt game to help you explore Ashland.
Crunch Time! (Medford)
Crunch Time!Crunch Time! hosts a wreck room and an escape room, making it a one stop shop for releasing all of that pent up, chaotic energy. You did update your health insurance for this year, right?
Right now, they’re doing a Sherlock Holmes-themed escape room, if you fancy pretending you’re the world’s greatest detective.
You’ve Got This!
See? No need to panic. Whether you’re sipping Pinot on a patio, building a heart-shaped cheese board, or breaking things in a wreck room, the best Valentine’s Day ideas are the ones that let you spend quality time together. Now, go grab a pen, find some ideas for a Valentine’s Day card (hint: “I love you more than I love not being in trouble” usually works), and enjoy your local adventure!
If your sweetie is so feral this Valentine’s Day that you want to update your insurance policy, you can reach out to our team at Ashland Insurance online or give us a call!
541.482.0831 Ashland
541.857.0679 Medford