History

"Oregon's oldest winery...a hidden gem." - Len, Oregon

As Oregon’s oldest estate winery and the birthplace of Oregon Pinot Noir, we have shared in the creation of what is “Oregon Wine”. Founded by the “Father of Oregon Wine”, Richard Sommer, we continue today to innovate and lead the way into the next generation as recognized for this internationally in 2014 by being the only winery in the US and one of only 15 worldwide to be honored as global innovators at the 900 year celebration of the world’s oldest winery, Stift Klosterneuberg in Vienna, Austria. HillCrest was honored along with such wineries as Baron Ricasoli of Tuscany, the creator of Chianti and Schloss Johannisberg, the site and birthplace of German Riesling.

Today our family takes techniques we have learned working and making wine on 3 continents to produce wines of exceptional natural expression. Amongst the wineries and wine regions we have worked are Robert Mondavi Winery (Napa), Weingut Heinz Schmitt (Mosel Valley, Germany), Chateau Mercian (Japan) and La Arboleda (Chile). Both inside and outside, we use the most traditional of techniques to capture the perfume and textures of our unique vineyard sites. These techniques include all dry-farmed, old vine, hillside vineyards followed inside by the use of our patented fermenters, 30-60 day skin contact on red and barrel aging of 2-4 years. In other words, we make great wines the way they were crafted 200 years ago in the old world.

Beginning in 2010, we now produce wines from different corners of the old world. Based on relationships we have developed over the last 3 decades, we make wines with friends in Priorat, Spain, Maury, France, the Mosel Valley of Germany and Caltagirone, Italy. These wines, like our Oregon wine, come from the grapes that helped develop the reputation of these world class wine areas. The varieties we make include Carignan, Grenache, Syrah, Lladoner Pelut, Frappato, Nero D’Avola and Riesling.

We Invite you to come and experience our gracious and educational tasting room. Our family’s wines are not sold in stores.