Winemaker Notes
Critical Acclaim
All VintagesPart of the Soter Vineyards portfolio, Planet Oregon offers sustainably farmed, value-priced wines, with a portion of the profits benefitting the Oregon Environmental Council. This sophisticated Pinot Noir is firmly anchored in cranberry and raspberry fruit, aged in neutral oak, and finished with polished tannins. Editors’ Choice
Pale to medium ruby-purple, the 2017 Pinot Noir opens with pretty notes of strawberry and raspberry jam, orange oil and violets with tea leaves, cola, dusty earth and a soft framing of spice. It’s light to medium-bodied with oodles of spicy fruit, lightly chalky and juicy, finishing long and laced with sweet berries. Excellent value.
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.
