I just returned from a wonderful five-day trip with two couples, great friends of ours who love good food and wine as much as my husband and I do. We spent time in Napa and Sonoma, but last weekend we began our adventures here in the Rogue Valley. (They live in Washington State, so we gave them a few days at our home to recover from the trek here before embarking on another long drive.) We decided to enjoy a light lunch at DanCin Vineyards in nearby Jacksonville. Harry’s August issue of Wine Enthusiast gave four of DanCin’s wines scores of 94 (“superb”), and of the 10 wines submitted by DanCin, nine received scores of 90 or higher (the 10th received an 89). Two of those 94-pointers were made from estate-grown grapes (a Pinot Noir and a Chardonnay), telling me these relatively young vineyards can produce fruit that makes elegant, merit-worthy wines. We gathered around a table on the pergola-shaded terrace on a very warm afternoon and each chose from one of three flights of five wines each to taste: a white flight, a red flight, and a “select” group. Our server brought our first tastes to us (in Riedel stemware — always a good sign) and then brought the remaining four pours in small glasses on a bamboo tray. We ordered some appetizers to share, including delectable stuffed mushrooms and herb- and cheese-dusted flatbreads, but the kitchen also produces pizzas (with a gluten-free option) in its wood-fired oven   and a variety of mac-and-cheese bowls and salads. The wines (Chardonnays, Pinot Noirs and Syrahs) impressed us with their complex flavors and smooth textures. Because our home cellar is so full, we’ve cut back on our wine club memberships over the past few years, but Harry did not hesitate to sign us up here. Co-owner Dan Marca (with his wife Cindy) generously allowed us to customize our first club selection with wines we most preferred, which included the 92-point 2012 Septette Pinot Noir. Because DanCin is a limited-production winery, already some of those high-scoring wines have sold out, but we feel confident we can expect many future vintages of superb wine. If you’re passing through or visiting in Southern Oregon, I would urge you to put a visit to DanCin on your list. The Italianate tasting room, wine cave,    piazza and grounds         reflect Dan Marca’s Italian ancestry, and the food is first-rate. Attention is clearly paid to every detail, and yet the atmosphere is relaxed and inviting. Tours are available during limited hours if you call ahead for an appointment. We wrapped up our day with an evening of theater at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in nearby Ashland with a performance of Antony and Cleopatra. You really can’t go wrong here in Southern Oregon in the summer; there’s always good wine, food and entertainment nearby. — Patty Vanikiotis, associate editor/copy editor