WVWA Board Broadens

By Wine Press Staff

The next generation of winemakers and winery owners are well represented on the Willamette Valley Wineries Association’s new volunteer board recently elected for 2009. The new 16-person advisory board represents all the AVAs in the Willamette Valley. WVWA board members also serve on the boards of some of the region’s signature consumer and industry events like ¡Salud!, Oregon Pinot Camp and the International Pinot Noir Celebration. The new board met in December to elect officers and each will hold terms from 2009 through 2011.

“We have always had support from wineries in the region, but I am excited for the enthusiasm and creative ideas that this new board brings to the association,” said Executive Director Sue Horstmann. “The second-generation family members now on the board have seen the continued growth of the wine industry and are committed to making the Willamette Valley wine region a household name.”

Along with the youthful newcomers, the new Board includes a handful of veteran winery professionals involved in the industry from the early days.

“This combination of knowledge and new energy will allow our association to really collaborate with a number of partners to increase the number of visitors to the Willamette Valley and to Oregon,” said Horstmann.

Board members include: Alex Sokol Blosser, President, Sokol Blosser Winery; Morgan Broadley, Vice President, Broadley Vineyards; David Adelsheim, President Emeritus, Adelsheim Vineyard; Jesse Lange, Lange Estate; John Pataccoli, Redhawk Winery; Wayne Bailey, Youngberg Hill Vineyards; Harry Peterson-Nedry, Chehalem; Brian O’Donnell, Belle Pente Vineyard; Kristin Marchesi, Montinore Estate; Laurent Montalieu, Soléna Cellars; Pat Dudley, Bethel Heights Vineyard; Amy Wesselman, Westrey Wine Company; Jason Lett, The Eyrie Vineyards; Annie Shull, Raptor Ridge Winery; Rollin Soles, Argyle Winery; Rob Stuart, R. Stuart & Co.

In 2009, the WVWA will be one of the partner organizations to join in the Oregon sesquicentennial celebration. The association has created “150 Days of Wine,” a promotion to encourage visitors to the Willamette Valley for the state’s birthday celebration. ◊