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![]() “As good wines can be made in Oregon as any place in the world.” . . . Louis Herboldt 1934, First Oregon Farmer Winery “Smooth as Honey . . . aged in Wood. The drink of the good natured man." . . . Honeywood Winery 1934 |
Sometime we often forget how a new industry, such as Oregon wine, is created. We tend to look at today’s successful companies and assume they alone created the industry. But this is not always true. Many past wineries, often unknown today, came before many of today’s successful wineries. This website traces the history of Oregon wine through the many small wineries that were the dreams of their owners, but for one reason or another eventually had to close their doors. Each of these wineries in its own way helped establish the modern Oregon wine industry. These vineyard and winery owners probably never made much money for all of their hard work (and perhaps lost a lot), but they willingly persevered. There no doubt were many challenges and personal sacrifices, but knowing they were helping to establish a new and exciting industry and way of life for Oregonians provided its own satisfaction. I hope this publication helps to document these unheralded wineries historical place in the Oregon wine industry, and not let them be forgotten. |
Fun FactsWhat Southern Oregon winery was first planted in the 1850’s by Peter Britt, of the popular music festival in Southern Oregon?Valley View Winery What Oregon Wine Pioneer in the 1960’s & 1970’s is credited with developing the “Coury” Pinot Noir clone? Charles J Coury Which Oregon Wine Pioneer is acknowledged to be the father of Oregon’s modern wine industry? Richard Sommer |