Oregon is an incredible success story when it comes to wine. Still young in terms of “wine years”, the state has been a leader in sustainability, varietal branding, industry leadership, and many other ways.
WineAmerica has benefited from Oregonians who have taken leadership positions, starting with Bill Nelson who served as Vice President, then President, during challenging times for the organization. Janie Brooks Heuck of Brooks Wines served as Vice Chair and Chair of the Board for a total of four years. And Jana McKamey, Executive Director of the Oregon Winegrowers Association, is the current Chair of the State and Regional Associations Advisory Council. And Michelle Kaufmann of Stoller Wine Group serves on our Board of Directors.
Brooks Wines has an amazing story, and Janie Brooks Heuck is one of the most amazing people I have ever met. Originally from Portland, Janie’s brother Jimi spent time working in Beaujolais and became devoted to producing biodynamic wines in Oregon. When he tragically passed away at a young age, with an 8-year-old son Pascal, Janie abandoned a promising career in healthcare to voluntarily head the operation, which now has an international reputation. She serves as “General Manager and Wine Boss.” I met her through Riesling—Brooks made 23 different ones in one year—while I was President of the International Riesling Foundation, a position she assumed when I moved on. Besides being a brilliant marketer, she has created a women-led team running Brooks, devoted it to the same principles that drove Jimi, and is simply one of the nicest people on the planet. She also served two years as Chair of the Board at WineAmerica, where her contributions still resonate.
Domaine Drouhin Oregon, a 235-acre vineyard and winery in the Eola-Amity Hills, really helped cement Oregon’s place on the world wine map for the same fabulous Pinot Noir as the original winery in Beaune, France. Similar in climate, latitude, and aspect to the French property, this landmark winery is L.I.V.E. certified and includes a gravity flow winemaking system. Robert Drouhin’s decision to invest in Oregon was comparable in effect to the Opus One collaboration of Robert Mondavi and Baron Philippe de Rothschild, and to “The Judgment of Paris” tasting in elevating California wines on the world stage.
Stoller Wine Group, established in 1993, is a unique collection of several uniquely distinct wineries: Stoller Family Estate, Chehalem Winery, Chemistry, Canned Oregon, and History. By itself, the Stoller Family Estate in the Dundee Hills is the largest vineyard at 400 acres. The different wineries offer truly different products and packaging, including a selection of canned wines. Founder Bill Stoller and his colleagues are also dedicated to sustainability, and proud of their B Corp, LIVE, and Salmon-Safe certifications in addition to regular local recognition as a Top Work Place. Vice President of Marketing Communication Michelle Kaufmann serves on the WineAmerica Board of Directors.
Willamette Valley Vineyards began in 1983 as the brainchild of founder Jim Bernau, and has since grown to over 1,000 acres, 260 cases of production, 350 staff, 40 managers, and ten tasting rooms in Oregon, Washington, and California. There are some 27,000 wine-loving owners, reflecting Jim’s philosophy that shared ownership is best. WVV was also a cofounder of Oregon’s Low Input Viticulture & Enology (LIVE) program that served as a model of sustainability for other states. As to quality, Wine Enthusiast named them “One of America’s Great Pinot Noir Producers”, and in 2024 USA Today named them #1 Wine Tasting Room in the U.S.. Bravo!
Great Grapes: Pinot Noir
Burgundy, France is synonymous with the noble Pinot Noir grape, but in the United States, Oregon clearly owns the crown. While it is notoriously difficult to grow and can vary greatly by vintage and region, Oregon’s terroir is notably hospitable, and its industry has gone all in on elevating the quality and reputation. The elegant and versatile red wine can hint of strawberries, cherries, and other fruits in the nose, and its medium body and taste means compatibility with a range of foods, not to mention as a great sipping wine.
