On January 1 Central Oregon’s founding winery and vineyard, Maragas Winery, consolidated all of its operations at their winery in Culver. Their winery sits 25 miles north of their original tasting room on the Corner of Colorado and Bond in Bend.
Winemaker Doug Maragas stated that, “after attempting to run two tasting rooms with tapas food service, the split efforts became a bit exhausting. It was a difficult decision to completely divest ourselves of the Colorado location.
“Not that long ago we were resigned to having one location but hesitated and remodeled the Colorado spot as the Taverna with additional food service.”
Maragas added, “It wasn’t for not. We learned quite a bit about food service that we’ll be bringing to the winery this spring.
“With the planting of 18 additional acres of vines at the winery the consolidation became necessary now more than ever.”
The infrastructure and planting for the vineyard expansion will take place between now and March.
Maragas stated that, in the future, he would consider reopening a Bend tasting room. “A Bend tasting room has its advantages – especially during tourist season. But, right now, it’s important for us to focus on the winery and vineyard. From an economics standpoint – it’s important to become as streamlined as possible. And, from a service standpoint, it significantly improves our efficiency to operate out of one hub.”
When asked whether he felt it would affect business in Bend, Maragas responded that the winery location exceeds the Bend location in customer visits. Maragas explained, “Although it may take time for some of our Bend customers to adjust, once they realize that the winery is only thirty minutes from Bend, and located in an absolutely beautiful area, they’ll make the trip.”
Maragas Winery was established in Bend in 1999 and moved 25 miles north, to 40 acres adjacent to Highway 97, eleven miles south of Culver, in 2006. Initially obtaining its grapes from vineyards in other areas of Oregon, California, and Washington, the winery is now growing its own estate fruit.
Maragas produced the first wine made entirely of Central Oregon grapes in 2009 which earned a silver medal in the prestigious San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.
The complete line of Maragas Wines are available exclusively at Maragas Winery & Vineyard, on Highway 97 one mile north of the Terrebonne High, and online at www.maragaswinery.com.
Maragas Winery & Vineyard: 15523 S.W. Highway 97, Culver, OR; 541-546-5464. Open for tastings 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday.
