Deciding to turn the family turkey farm into a vineyard and build a new state-of-the-art winery in Oregon’s wine country, some might have thought Bill and Cathy Stoller had taken leave of their senses. But, as co-founders of Chehalem with Harry Peterson-Nedry, the couple already had some experience in the matter and decided to build a hi-tech winery, using exclusively solar power. An estate vineyard was planted in the Dundee Hills of Yamhill County, and dedicated to producing top notch Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Join us as we talk with Bill Stoller about the different growing regions and AVAs of Oregon, its winegrowing history, as well as its geography and soil conditions all of which lead to making world class Pinot Noir. Bill also discusses Stoller’s interest in making their winery green, and what goes into using the latest in technology to produce fine wine.
Stoller Vineyards: www.stollervineyards.com
Sponsor: Vinotemp International: www.vinotemp.com
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(48:28 min 22 MB)
I love the idea that so many wineries are going to a green outlook on things. I guess they figure that they take a lot out of nature and they better take care of it for the future. Hope the trend continues and cathes on with other industies.
GREAT PHOTO’S. Who is the photog?
Tim, Mike Haverkate is the Farm Manager at Stoller Vineyards.
Eric
I am thinking of visiting the Northwest wine country this summer but can’t decide between Washington or Oregon. I am pretty sure what Bill would say. Where can I find more information on Washington and Oregon wine country?
WOW this photographer is amazing!!
These pictures are truly works of art. A wall is just a wall; a wall with an original Haverkate photo artistry is a real happening!
Charles Coury was the first person to plant develop and establish the Wilamette Valley …
The purchase of land by DDO was in fact what put Oregon on the map …
I’ve visited the Willamette many times - and Stoller Vineyard. I thought the interview as a good sampler of what’s happening in the area and Stoller Vineyard in particular (which is to be expected when talking with the Owner for gosh sakes). However, what really made a difference to area was when Joseph Drouhin from France purchased and developed the property not far from Stoller, Domaine Drouhin Oregon in 1988. Bringing with them the old world ways of doing things and a hundred years of history making Burgundy is a key to a significant change in the overall approach in the area. Sure, given time, I’m certain that the existing producers in the area would have made the jump to a higher level, but DDO started the ball rolling in a new direction in a BIG way.
If given the chance, and your in the Valley, stopping at Stoller and taking their tour and tasting their wines is well worth the trip! Thanks for ANOTHER great program!
John
We took a family trip from San Francisco to Portland last summer to look at colleges for my older son (he selected UofO in Eugene).
For the trip I had this book:
http://www.amazon.com/Compass-American-Guides-Oregon-Country/dp/1400013674/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-0622043-0428853?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1181029857&sr=8-1
It was a simple overview of Oregon Wine Country with many suggestions.
John Haegar’s “North American Pinot Noir” also highlights some Oregon Growers in more depth.
http://www.amazon.com/North-American-Pinot-Winthrop-Haeger/dp/0520241142/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-0622043-0428853?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1181030169&sr=1-1
It looks like I will be visiting Oregon much more often over the next 4 years (it had been 20 years since I was there before last year’’s trip.
Bill
Rack Bill Stoller as a vinyard owner out there as a modernist and up alongside other classic GR episodes such as the innovative Gaia Gaja conversation….he;s and interesting and intelligent innovator… sometimes I find myself hoping that you won’t try to simplify interviews too much for your audience in conversations with vintners…only to find myself surprised every time at the amount of insight and detail you do get into. Podcasts are by their very nature for people who want to go a step further than simplistic radio and become more informed specialists. Gentlemen….Thankyou once again !
If I can’t personally visit the winery or forget a wine I’ve tasted, I do my own research on Oregon vineyards by going to a website that groups them in clusters - Northern Willamette Valley vs. Southern Willamette Valley, Umpqua Valley vs. Rogue Valley. I primary use the Wineries of Lane Country website as my restaurant wine list is almost exclusively Southern Willamette Valley wines. A site like this will give a good overview of the region and have links to members’ websites if you want to get more info. It doesn’t, of course, include everyone but it definitely comes up first with search engines.