Legacy
A history of care, creativity, and conscience.
The land surrounding Quail Run Vineyards has felt the footsteps of people for millennia, nurtured the vision of Peter Britt, and echoed the unwavering voice of John Beeson.
John Beeson: A Voice for the Voiceless
Long before grapevines took root here, early pioneer John Beeson took a lone stand, protesting injustices and risking his life and reputation to advocate for the rights and dignity of the Takelma people. His refusal to stay silent set a tone for true land stewardship. At Quail Run, that same moral clarity drives a commitment to authenticity: honoring the region’s full history rather than glossing over uncomfortable truths.
Peter Britt: A Lens on Possibility
Britt’s artistic spirit helped shape the Rogue Valley’s early identity. He experimented with new techniques in photography and conducted the region’s first viticulture trials, refusing to let tradition limit his imagination. That same creative spark drives Quail Run, where we continue pushing boundaries by cultivating a growing array of varietals that embrace the land’s quirks rather than bending to a formula.
Peter Britt: A Lens on Possibility
Britt’s artistic spirit helped shape the Rogue Valley’s early identity. He experimented with new techniques in photography and conducted the region’s first viticulture trials, refusing to let tradition limit his imagination. That same creative spark drives Quail Run, where we continue pushing boundaries by cultivating a growing array of varietals that embrace the land’s quirks rather than bending to a formula.
Turning Curiosity into Community
A broken car window landed Don and Traute Moore in the Rogue Valley—where they bought a small farm with an acre of grapes. Tending the vines sparked their curiosity and ignited a lifelong pursuit— transforming first their own land, then their neighbors, and eventually the entire region’s viticultural landscape.
But in the beginning, little was known about grape growing in the Rogue Valley. With no established roadmap, Don and Traute sought out leading viticulturists Lucy Morton and Richard Smart, launching a tradition of research and experimentation. The following decades were spent exploring the valley’s diverse microclimates, planting test blocks, and, ultimately, proving the region’s ability to craft world-class wines.
But in the beginning, little was known about grape growing in the Rogue Valley. With no established roadmap, Don and Traute sought out leading viticulturists Lucy Morton and Richard Smart, launching a tradition of research and experimentation. The following decades were spent exploring the valley’s diverse microclimates, planting test blocks, and, ultimately, proving the region’s ability to craft world-class wines.
In 2008, at the age of 75, Traute learned of a Gold Rush–era building for rent in Jacksonville and decided to create a tasting room to showcase their many varietals. Her creation, South Stage Cellars, became a hub where viticulture, wine, culture, and community intersect. There, vineyard owners turned to Don and Traute for advice. Winemakers found a resource in Quail Run’s meticulously farmed grapes. Musicians and artists discovered a space where creativity flowed as freely as wine. And wine lovers came for community and the unparalleled selection of world-class wines.
In 2010, Don and Traute Moore received the Oregon Winegrowers Association’s prestigious Founder’s Award— in recognition pioneering efforts and the legacy it inspired. In 2022, Wine Enthusiast named the Rogue Valley one of five international “Wine Regions of the Year.”
The Future in Motion
Quail Run Vineyards is a shared effort, carried forward by a team that embodies the same curiosity, tenacity, and deep respect for the land that shaped its past. Today, Michael Moore builds on the work his parents began.
The spirit of exploration lives on—cultivating new varietals, refining vineyard practices, and ensuring that the diversity of the land is reflected in the wines it produces.
Just as Peter Britt saw potential in untested soil and John Beeson fought to honor the deeper history of this land, Quail Run remains steadfast in its commitment to an ethos of innovation, integrity, and community.
