The Urban Cork: A Fountain of Wines
Just beyond the gorgeous hand painted winescape on Fir St, between 3rd and 4th in downtown Medford, is Medford’s only downtown wine bar. Part of the newly designated City Center Wine District, this urbanly informal wine oasis pours more than 150+ local wines. More than just a wine bar, The Urban Cork is the tasting room for all Pallet Wine Company’s artisanal and naturally crafted wines. Some wines are only available here!
The tasting room rotates flights every week to showcase their clients’ vintages. Staff are knowledgeable in not just the wines, but able to tell the full story of where the vineyards are located, the growers, about the people and label that brighten the bottle. As Linda Donovan, owner and managing partner says, “It’s a comfortable place to learn.”
And the space itself is a comfortable place to hang out. In the front corner, Linda’s grandmother’s piano awaits wine-loosened fingers to play its ivory keys. Little wooden people dance on the tables playing with tiny air plants. Red barstools beckon from the long, sleek, recycled wood bar.
“I knew I would use the bar and cabinets I had made from the floor boards - 2” x 14" old growth, rough sawn Douglas Fir - that came from the remodel of the Cooley-Neff building,” Linda says. “I also wanted a lot of plants and a "softer" feel to offset the industrial austerity of this part of town. I repurposed old doors, for the restrooms, railing, and shelving. I found the chairs at a local antique store (they came from a nearby retirement home). My neighbors at Cut-n Break made me the beautiful concrete sink and the interior colors were chosen to compliment the fantastic wallpaper I found. Everything just kinda ‘came together’ as I was shopping for things I liked. Most of the decor came from items around the winery.”
Several years ago I was shown this space and told of Linda’s plans to one day have a tasting room. At the time it was quite dark, so dark it seemed underground. It was old. Looked old, and felt old. Kinda dank, musty, uninviting. But Linda’s vision brought in fresh life. The first time I went into the newly opened Urban Cork I was stunned. It was hard to believe it was the same place I’d originally seen. The light cork floor (yes, cork, how appropriate!) and galvanized steel top tables reflected light, opened it up and revitalized a once old-fashioned and dingy room.
The Urban Cork offers live music on Fridays, the best charcuterie, and I’m pretty sure the first tasting room in the Rogue Valley to serve it. The space is available for parties, meetings, special events, celebrations, ceremonies, birthdays, anniversaries, wine tastings, social gatherings, weddings, colloquy, chitchat, and to commemorate life events.
Looking for a fountain of wines and good vibe, come uncork at The Urban Cork.