Willamette Valley Vineyards Explained

Willamette Valley Vineyards, inc.
Type:	Winery / Public
Traded As:	NASDAQ:
Foundation:	1983
Founder:	Jim Bernau and Don Voorhies
Location:	Turner, Oregon United States
Industry:	Wine
Homepage:	www.wvv.com

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 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

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 .^[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. 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]

Further reading

• Web site: The People's Pinot Noir: Crowd-Funded Wine From Willamette Valley Vineyards . . May 6, 2016 . . August 13, 2016.
• Web site: Sodomka . Dennis . Wine Time: Willamette Valley Vineyards Whole Cluster Pinot Noir 2014, Oregon . . January 20, 2016 . August 13, 2016.
• Web site: Associated Press . Wine Lovers Invest in Their Vines: Owners: Many of Willamette Valley Vineyards' 4,500 shareholders place fun over profit--but they get both. . . September 20, 1993 . . August 16, 2016.
• Web site: Visionary drives Willamette Valley Vineyards . . February 19, 2010 . August 13, 2016.
• Book: Perry . V. . Vincent . J. . Schlesinger . S. . Peterson-Nedry . H. . Winemakers of the Willamette Valley: Pioneering Vintners from Oregon's Wine Country . History Press . American Palate . 2013 . 978-1-60949-676-0 . 147–.
• Web site: Panichkul . Victor . Willamette Valley Vineyards heads to Walla Walla . . June 1, 2015 . August 13, 2016.
• Web site: Panichkul . Victor . Willamette Valley Vineyards raising $6 million . Statesman Journal . August 19, 2015 . August 13, 2016.
• Web site: Willamette Valley Vineyards sues Five Cent Farm . Statesman Journal . July 25, 2015 . . August 13, 2016.
• Web site: Willamette Valley Vineyards . Southcoast Today . July 1, 2016 . . August 13, 2016.

External links

• Official website

Notes and References

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