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Willamette Valley Vineyards, inc.
Company typeWinery / Public
Nasdaq: WVVI
IndustryWine
Founded1983
FounderJim Bernau and Don Voorhies
HeadquartersTurner, Oregon United States
Websitewww.wvv.com
Willamette Valley Vineyards Estate Patio and Courtyard overlooking a vineyard
Willamette Valley Vineyards Estate patio and courtyard in the Salem Hills
Entrance of the Willamette Valley Vineyards Estate in Turner, Oregon.


Willamette Valley Vineyards is an American winery located in Turner, Oregon. Named after Oregon's Willamette Valley, the winery is the leading producer of Willamette Valley-appellated Pinot Noir in Oregon,[1] and also produces Chardonnay and Pinot Gris.[2] In 2016, the winery was the largest producer of Riesling wine in the Willamette Valley.[3]

History

View of the Willamette Valley Vineyards Estate tasting room at sunset.

Willamette Valley Vineyards was founded by Jim Bernau and Don Voorhies.[4] In 1997, Willamette Valley Vineyards merged with Tualatin Estate Vineyards, which was established by Bill Fuller in 1973.

The winery was established via an early crowdfunding campaign. In 1989, around 1,200 shareholders invested an average of $1,700 each in an unlisted stock offering approved by Oregon regulators.[5][6][7] By 1993, the number of shareholders had grown to 4,500 and many shareholders were directly involved with operations, collectively donating 6,000 to 7,000 hours of labor per month. Over 300 shareholders passed an OLCC class to be certified to pour wine in the tasting room.[7] The winery is now listed on the NASDAQ under the symbol WVVI.[8]

In 2021, the winery hosted the season 18 finale of Bravo's Top Chef: Portland.[9]

Subsidiaries

In 2015, founder Jim Bernau and winery director Christine Clair founded the Oregon Estate Vineyards division to manage subsidiary vineyards.

Since 2007, Willamette Valley Vineyards has managed Elton Vineyards in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA. [10] Elton Vineyards is primarily planted with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.[11] In 2017, Willamette Valley Vineyards began selling a boutique wine label under the "Elton" name.[12][13]

In 2015, the company purchased new vineyard sites in the Walla Walla Valley AVA for a new subsidiary, "Pambrun Vineyard", named after Bernau's ancestor, Pierre Pambrun, a Walla Walla pioneer.[13][10] Pambrun produces Cabernet Sauvignon along with other Bordeaux varieties.[11] In 2018, Willamette Valley Vineyards acquired nearby Maison Bleue Winery, previously owned by Jon Meuret, who was also the consulting winemaker for Pambrun Vineyard.[13]

Press coverage

In 2015, Wine Enthusiast named Willamette Valley Vineyards' Whole Cluster Pinot Noir as one of "America's Best Value Pinot Noirs".[14]

The Wall Street Journal included Willamette Valley Vineyards' Pinot Gris in the article, "Why Wine Remains a Great Connector".[15]

44°49′30″N 123°00′25″W / 44.824997°N 123.007053°W / 44.824997; -123.007053

References

  1. ^ Jenkins, T: "Top 25 Oregon Wineries", page 20. Portland Business Journal, August 11, 2006
  2. ^ McCarthy, E.; Ewing-Mulligan, M. (2011). Wine For Dummies. Wiley. p. 254. ISBN 978-1-118-05071-2.
  3. ^ Haeger, J.W. (2016). Riesling Rediscovered: Bold, Bright, and Dry. University of California Press. p. 133. ISBN 978-0-520-96216-3.
  4. ^ Danehower, C.; Johnson, A. (2010). Essential Wines and Wineries of the Pacific Northwest: A Guide to the Wine Countries of Washington, Oregon, British Columbia, and Idaho. Timber Press. p. 163. ISBN 978-0-88192-966-9. Retrieved August 13, 2016.
  5. ^ Tripp, Julie (1992-12-17). "2 PORTLAND BREWERIES GO PUBLIC WITH STOCK". The Oregonian.
  6. ^ Francis, Mike (1993-06-29). "WHAT'S THE DEAL WITH THESE STOCK MARKETS, ANYWAY?". The Oregonian.
  7. ^ a b "WINERY DEPENDS ON ITS VOLUNTEER OWNERS - OREGON MAN GETS A LITTLE HELP FROM HIS FRIENDS". Seattle Times. 1993-09-15.
  8. ^ Publishing, DK (2004). Eyewitness Companions: Wines of the World: Your Essential Handbook. EYEWITNESS COMPANION GUIDES. DK Publishing. p. 520. ISBN 978-0-7566-8927-8. Retrieved August 13, 2016.
  9. ^ Harans, Julie (2021). "Willamette Valley Vineyards Hosts 'Top Chef' Finale". Wine Spectator 2021. Wine Spectator.
  10. ^ a b "Willamette Valley Vineyards Plans New Elton Winery Led by Isabelle Meunier". Wine Business. May 26, 2015. Retrieved August 16, 2016.
  11. ^ a b "Focused on Oregon's Great Wine Terroirs". Wine Spectator. Retrieved August 13, 2016.
  12. ^ Panichkul, Victor (2015). "New Elton Winery a lasting legacy for couple". Statesman Journal.
  13. ^ a b c Degerman, Eric (2018-01-18). "Willamette Valley Vineyards Buys Maison Bleue, Plans Vineyard".
  14. ^ Gregutt, Paul (November 2015). "Wine Enthusiast".
  15. ^ Teague, Lettie (April 2, 2020). "The Wall Street Journal".

Further reading

External links

Oregon wine
Categories