Winemaker Notes
Critical Acclaim
All Vintages
Tony Soter has demonstrated a genius in crafting award winning wine over his five decades of innovative winegrowing; A dedication and reverence to the purity and intrinsic nature of the craft; a mastery is revealed in hi artful ability to allow the character of the place to resonate in the wines; a reflection of both the land and the hand. Tony Soter found his passion in winemaking in Napa Valley where he was the winemaker and consulting winemaker for many iconic proprieties. His start was at Chappellet in the late 70’s, followed by a long tenure at Spottswood, adding Shafer, Dalla Valle, Viader, Moraga, and Araujo to his resume. He started his first winery, Etude, in 1982. Tony was quickly becoming a name in Napa Valley, however his passion of cool climate Pinot Noir would lead him to Oregon in 1997.
Tony Soter started Soter Vineyards at he was certain he found his true passion of winemaking in Oregon.
James Cahill joined Tony Soter in 2002 as the Associate Winemaker. He and Tony crafted lovely Pinot Noirs and developed the Sparkling wine program at the Estate. It is worth mentioning that James’ first interview with Tony was at the Mineral Springs address; the vineyard had not been planted but the site clearly had tremendous potential. Today, James is a veteran of 25 harvest season in Oregon. He oversees all grower partnerships and collaborates on all winemaking at Soter Vineyards.
Home of some of the planet’s most amazingly elegant and expressive Pinot noir, the Willamette Valley is a pastoral, mixed landscape of green, bucolic rolling hills, dramatic forestlands and small, independent, friendly wine growers. As a leader in environmental stewardship, the valley has some of the nation’s most protective land use policies, with two-thirds of its vineyards farmed sustainably and over half, organically. While the valley claims a cool, continental climate, and is heavily influenced by the cold, moist winds of the Pacific Ocean, its warm and dry summers allow for the steady, even ripening of Pinot noir.
The potential of Willamette Valley Pinot noir continues to attract the investment of serious growers and winemakers both locally and from abroad, as naturally the finished wines bring accolades from professionals and enthusiasts. With a range of styles from delicate dried cherry, raspberry and hibiscus to stronger notes of truffle, mocha, plum and spice, a fine Willamette Valley Pinot noir is a perfect expression of both character and grace.
