The Punch House
Where charming aesthetic meets heartfelt winemaking
Sunday Scaries Be Gone!
Story by Andrea Jacoby O’Shell
Photography by David Gibb
Panoramic views often come with a lot of hard work like a strenuous hike or a long day of travel, but at The Punch House all the hard work is done for you. Nestled at the summit of a hill just outside Central Point is a property dotted with black oak trees, free-range chickens, and a charming home with a wraparound deck. Orophiles and oenophiles alike can satiate their passions while enjoying endless views of the stunning Rogue Valley.
Thoughtful seating vignettes on The Punch House’s expansive deck feel serene and snug, and the carefully curated playlist completes the vibe. Tastes of wine are hand delivered, one at a time subtly and promptly with care by a knowledgeable attendant. Or, a bottle of wine with a warmed baguette and olive oil is just as wonderful. I highly recommend a Sunday afternoon drive that finds its way to The Punch House where you can sit back, relax, and sip away all those Sunday Scaries.
Local Like a Traveler
Jon and Melissa LeBars are Rogue Valley natives—Melissa from Grants Pass and Jon from Jacksonville. They fell in love instantly, and then fell in love with the local wine scene. Their wine dream has been “20 years in the making,” and it’s been a privilege to watch it unfold. From Jon’s time as a cellar hand at Troon Vineyard and most recently assistant winemaker at Kriselle Cellars, he has brought his dream to full-time reality at The Punch House. He studied enology and viticulture at Umpqua Community College’s Winemaking and Viticulture Program.
Melissa’s background in hospitality and nursing and attention to detail is the backbone to The Punch House experience. This is underscored by the LeBars’ love of visiting the wineries in their own backyard. They thoroughly enjoy taking advantage of what we so often forget as locals. Sometimes we need to “local like a traveler” and play tourist for a day.
Schmidt Family Vineyards Pinot Noir was their first “aha” wine of the valley that shifted Jon’s mind from barista to winemaker. “I always wanted my own tasting room and to make my own wine,” he says. Wine has always been part of his life. “Jon’s parents made wine in trash cans and used ladles to serve it,” Melissa recalls. Jon’s dad was an original co-founder of the Vintage Wine Event, a precursor for World of Wine, which ultimately became the Oregon Wine Experience. Melissa first dipped her toe into the wine scene when her sister took her wine tasting in the Willamette Valley where she fell in love with the experience that came with the wine tasting at Joe Dobbes, a model Jon and Melissa still respect and strive for in their own space. From there, the LeBars wasted no time learning everything they could about the Southern Oregon wine scene, immersing themselves in the wine tasting culture and winemaking lifestyle.
Home Is Where the Wine Is
The Punch House is more than just a fun name with a wine reference. It’s a callback to the LeBars’ small beginning. “It came from our first small, house-shaped building where we made our first wine in 2017,” says Melissa. “The Punch House is a play on ‘Juice House,’ aiming to craft the finest wines from the finest grape juice.” Their current home is where every piece of the winemaking process happens, and it’s a family affair. Their two children, Sawyer, age eight, and Lilly, age 11, alongside their English Cream Golden Retriever, Chenin LeBlanc, all put a foot or a paw in when it comes to harvest. The 2025 vintage was the first harvest at which the kids received treading responsibility, says Jon. But that’s not the only new and exciting thing happening at The Punch House. “We got a new press this year.” They bought their first press by selling their beloved Volkswagen Bus. “We did 800 cases this year. We never want to be a big winery,” according to Jon. That’s what keeps the family vibe strong and clear, not to mention when you taste at The Punch House, you’re at the LeBar family home.
Melissa’s strong sense of hospitality maintains the homey feel, but also feels effortlessly cool and laid back. “We don’t take hospitality lightly, and connection, and being a part of people’s lives,” she says with conviction. It’s evident in the tiny details you’ll see around the property. A welcoming entrance with their scripted logo and inviting white curtains leads you to an outdoor foyer. A charming desk with Jon and Melissa smiling behind it greets you and entices your palate with antique bookshelves stacked with varying Punch House wines. A rainbow of varieties from sunshine-yellow bubbles to neon pinks to sanguine reds. A quick turn around the corner invites you to the rest of the deck as it opens up and displays the panoramic view of the Rogue Valley. Cozy couches, porch swings, heaters, blankets, and mirrors that reflect the Valley from all angles help highlight Melissa’s abilities to turn a dream into reality. “We are always listening to the call of the void and feel compelled to jump in,” she says, gleaming.
Keeping the Dream Alive
When you taste the LeBars’ wines, you can tell they have that something extra; just a little more oomph, a little more hands-on. Their wines tell their story. Their Method Ancestral L’appel du vide Pétillant Naturel (Pet-Nat for short, and also known as méthode ancestrale) has been a passion project of theirs, carefully knitted together to ensure a high-quality, bespoke product. “The wine makes friends as soon as we pour it,” says Melissa, “and we are always sipping and dreaming of what’s next.” The Punch House doesn’t just stick to Southern Oregon, however. Their call to create an encompassing tasting experience stems from their love of wine from the entire state. This year they’re offering a Pinot Noir from Loose Leaf Vineyards in Eola-Amity Hills. Jon’s gentle approach to winemaking protects the soft and elegant flavors with a nod to the old world by using their best French oak barrels. “We want to give the younger generation their wine ‘aha moment’,” he says.
The LeBars’ future dreams include their first-ever winemaker dinner on the property in December 2025, which will open doors for future opportunities. “We want to have butcher block pasta classes,” says Melissa. For their next big project, they are planning on expanding their tasting experience indoors and moving their family closer to town. “It’s a true cross-your-fingers project,” Melissa shares while Jon nods his head. Also staying true to their Francophile roots, they plan to release a Syrah and a Mourvèdre in early 2026.
So, although most of us are enjoying wine in this galaxy, The Punch House wants to take you out of this world and “slay the unimaginative dragon” when it comes to the future of wine. Cheers!
Check the website for hours.
The Punch House Winery and Tasting Experience
9115 Blackwell Road, Central Point
