R-Haus Celebrates Forty Years on the River

My greatest memory of the R-Haus, a river-side restaurant located at 2140 Rogue River Highway, is sitting in their bar upstairs in 1987 and watching my team, Indiana University, beat Syracuse for the NCAA championship.

For owners Danny and Carol Walters, they and their family have forty years of memories at the restaurant, starting in 1972.

“My mom always wanted a restaurant and my dad, Russ Walters, had a vision of the family working together,” Danny said. “We will be ever grateful to my dad for getting us into the business, and we’re wishing him a quick recovery.”

Carol added to the memories. “Danny has had the opportunity to cook for John Wayne two times, and I’ve waited on him twice,” she said. “Johnny Depp has been here several times, as have many other celebrities.”

The menu at the R-Haus is eclectic, featuring appetizers like escargot in mushroom caps, and entrees like steaks, seafood, pasta, chicken, and rack of lamb. On Fridays there is a Prime Rib & Seafood Buffet, and the Sunday Brunch is also very popular.

The atmosphere and ambiance is exquisite, with a dining room of tasteful decorations overlooking the river.

“Every table has a view of the beautiful Rogue River,” Danny said. “We do over 35 functions every summer and can seat 600 people on the back lawn overlooking the river. We do weddings, anniversaries, class reunions, retirement parties, Christmas parties, and other special occasions.”

Carol and Danny are both optimistic that the economy will improve.

“It’s a tough time for everyone, no matter if you’re pounding nails, driving a truck or cooking for a restaurant,” Danny said. “Everyone is affected by the economy and we’re very optimistic that it will turn around. After 41 years in the restaurant business, I still love what I do, and I love this community.”

The R-Haus is open Wednesday through Saturday for dinner starting at 4pm. Sunday brunch is 9am to 1:30pm.

You can check out this issue of the Sneak Preview for a 50% off “Early Bird Special” (buy one entrée and get the second entrée at ½ off).

For reservations, the phone number is 541-474-3335.

Tasting Room at Kriselle Cellars Opens September 28th

Southern Oregon is dangerously close to vying with the Napa Valley as one of the premier wine-growing regions of the West Coast. One of the newest wineries, Kriselle Cellars, will open its tasting room at 12956 Modoc Road in Sams Valley on Friday, September 28.

Owners Scott and Kris Steingraber planted the first vineyard in 2006. The property had been purchased in 2005 by Kris’s parents, Winslow and Linda Buxton.

“We were attracted to the area by the excellent grape-growing conditions in southern Oregon,” Scott said. “Our winery’s focus is to capture the essence of Rogue Valley grown grapes.”

 Scott was a civil engineer living in Gig Harbor, Washington, and began making family wine 15 years ago.

“One day I was picking up some Willamette Valley grapes and had the occasion to try grapes from southern Oregon,” he said. “I was impressed by their flavor and quality and began to purchase grapes from the Rogue Valley Appellation. When Kris’s mom and dad purchased the ranch, the vineyard, winery and tasting room dream began to take root.”

Kriselle Cellars is a small, family-owned winery creating hand-crafted, limited production wines using exclusively grapes grown in the Rogue Valley.

“Quality is our focus and we spare no effort to create the finest wines possible from the Estate Vineyard and neighboring highest caliber vineyards in our Appellation,” Scott said.

According to Nora Lancaster, director of marketing and sales for the winery, “The new tasting room is a gorgeous and unique building on a spectacular site. Our wines are exquisite, award-winning gems. We showcase the Rogue Valley in our vision and creations.”

The phone number at the winery is 541-830-8466. Modoc Road is off Sams Valley Highway near Dodge Bridge County Park, overlooking the Rogue River.

KCMD—The New Radio Station on the Block

When local radio star Don Monette learned than an FM frequency became available earlier this year, he knew exactly what he wanted to do.

“I was lucky enough to do thirteen years as a morning show (Drive Time) host on KAJO AM,” Don said. “I also started a mobile DJ business (Touch of Class), doing weddings, private parties, birthdays, and anniversaries. I really love interacting with people, and when the FM frequency became available, my wife and son-in-law and I entered into the FCC auction. We were successful in buying the rights to broadcast on 99.3 FM.”

Don describes KCMD-99.3 as Grants Pass’ “Feel Good” Radio Station. “We are the music doctors,” he said. “We have the cure for what ails you—just great music of the 60s, 70s and 80s. And we don’t just play music; we actually like what we play. And based on the comments we receive, most people like it, too.”

Almost all of the staff have a background in the radio business. Casey McIntosh is a former night jock, Sam Marsh is a former news director, Will Schacher is another former jock, Susan Feehan is former marketing director of Southern Exposure Magazine, and Sue Warren is an avid fan of radio.

Don and his family moved to the Rogue Valley in 1989 from San Leandro, California. He loves the Valley and all that it has to offer.

“KCMD went on the air on July 15 of this year,” he said. “We will try to remain positive and be the ‘Feel Good’ station for as long as we can.”

For more info, the phone number at the station in 541-476-2137.