People
Harry
Peterson-Nedry
is the founder, winemaker, and managing partner of Chehalem, one of Oregon’s premier wineries.
Harry initially applied degrees in Chemistry and English from the University of North Carolina to a career in high-tech manufacturing. His interest in wine began innocently enough as a hobby, but developed into a serious passion—deeply rooted when he planted his 55-acre Ridgecrest Vineyards in 1980. Ridgecrest was not only the first of Harry’s vineyards, but was also the first vineyard development in Oregon’s newly designated Ribbon Ridge AVA. Ultimately, what began as a hobby led to a radical change in career paths.
In 1990, Harry founded Chehalem, and his hands-on approach to winemaking began. Within five years, he had expanded the winery’s estate holdings to include partnerships in Corral Creek Vineyards (adjacent to the winery) and Stoller Vineyards in the southern Dundee Hills, developed by his Chehalem partners, Bill and Cathy Stoller.
Harry's interest in the wine industry extends far beyond the wines of Chehalem. He has been appointed to and is now serving a second term on the Oregon Wine Board by Governor Kulongoski and serves on the board of WineAmerica (formerly the American Vintners Association), the national trade association for America’s wineries. He also has represented Oregon at the International Pinot Gris Symposium in Germany and has worked to establish Oregon Pinot Camp, ORCA (the Oregon Chardonnay Alliance), Willamette Valley AVAs (authoring the Ribbon Ridge petition), and to raise Riesling awareness. His passionate reach continues to extend into family, environmental conservation, and the arts.
Bill Stoller and Cathy Stoller
cathys@chehalemwines.com
bills@chehalemwines.com
Bill
and Cathy Stoller are co-owners of Chehalem and owners of one
of the three Estate Vineyards Chehalem uses, Stoller
Vineyards,
one of the most modern vineyards on a spectacular hillside locally
referred to as Oregon's Corton Hill.
Bill and Cathy live on-site at their 360-acre vineyard,
with their twin sons, Kenny and Kyle.
They recently christened a small, exclusive winery of their
own to make small amounts
of a Stoller Vineyards brand
Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Owners of an international personnel service business, Express Services, Bill and Cathy participate in strategic winery management, with their partner Harry Peterson-Nedry. Bill is also one of the few Oregon winery principals who can claim to be a native of wine country, having grown up in Yamhill County. He attended Pacific University in Forest Grove as an undergraduate. (Stoller Vineyards photograph © Mike Haverkate)
Mike is our winemaker, along with Harry Peterson-Nedry. As such, Mike is the field general, coordinating logistics, people, winery purchases, and winemaking tasks. He joined Chehalem as an intern for Harvest 2001, impressed Harry with his technical rigor and industriousness, and was invited back full-time in mid-2002.
A graduate of Lincoln University, New Zealand, with a bachelor's in viticulture and oenology, he has worked in vineyards and wineries throughout New Zealand. When he is not at the winery, Mike is likely careening along an Oregon waterway in his kayak, keeping up with the Portland restaurant scene, and drinking beer. He lives in Portland, with his wife, Hilary, and brand-new baby boy Mason.
Wynne has been at Chehalem from the beginning, being a 6-month old in arms as we signed on the original property that would become Ridgecrest Vineyards, personally labeling by hand most of the first release 1990 Ridgecrest Vineyards Pinot Noir, working part of harvest twice despite high school (as part of a chemistry project) and college (break) rigors, and working summers for several years.
Graduating from Bryn Mawr College with a degree in chemistry in 2002, she went on to experience several careers in the outside world before admitting to the fact that her heart resided in the Oregon wine country. She graduated with a Masters’ degree from UC Davis’ Viticulture & Enology program in 2008 and has worked multiple harvests around the world including two vintages in New Zealand, one in Burgundy, and one in California. She officially joined the Chehalem family as assistant winemaker in June of 2009.
Originally from Belgrade, Serbia, Ksenija came to the United States to escape the unstable political situation in former Yugoslavia. She received a bachelor's degree in molecular biology and microbiology from the University of Central Florida, where she met our national sales manager, John House. John and Ksenija eventually married and became fans of cool-climate Oregon wines.
Ksenija first came to Chehalem as a harvest intern in 2007. After witnessing her impressive work ethic and contagious smile, we convinced her to stay, and both she and John made their way to Oregon for good. Ksenija’s primary responsibilities include lab analysis and assisting Mike and Wynne in the cellar. Her greatest ambition is to make high-quality wine in Serbia and to expand on the immense agricultural potential of her home country. She enjoys reading, watching movies, and, above all, spending time with family, friends, and her giant teddy bear of a dog, Toby.
As viticulturist and vineyard manager of Corral Creek, Ridgecrest, and Wind Ridge Vineyards, Chad coordinates our vineyard crew’s activities on a daily basis and works to grow the best grapes we can. His viticultural philosophy is that each vineyard site is unique and must be managed according to its distinctive subtleties, particularly in combination with the challenges that Pinot Noir provides.
Originally from New Zealand, Chad has a Master's degree in Geography and Climatology. Over the last several years, he has been a viticulturist and vineyard manager at two Central Otago vineyards and in France's Loire Valley. Chad now makes the Willamette Valley his home along with his wife, Catherine, and their adorable spaniel, Fife. When he is not among the vines, he enjoys tennis, golf, skiing, hiking, and cheering on New Zealand's national rugby team from afar.
Serious dedication to Oregon Pinot Noir led Margaret to CHEHALEM all the way from Charlotte, North Carolina, where she managed the wine program at Reid's Fine Foods. Margaret is the leader of our direct sales team
and manages our Tasting Panel wine club and coordinates all of Chehalem’s events. You will also find her conducting cellar tastings and tours at the winery.
Margaret graduated from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte with a degree in Marketing & Management. She is a CSW (Certified Specialist of Wine) as well as a Certified Sommelier and is continuing her education through the WSET (Wine and Spirits Education Trust). An avid cook, traveler, and yoga enthusiast, she is sure to charm you with her cheery attitude and Southern hospitality.
John joined Chehalem in 2008 as National Sales Manager with a strong background in wine sales on both the distribution and retail levels. A longtime fan of Oregon wines, his enthusiasm, combined with a love for all things food- and wine-related, make him a never-ending source for infectious ideas and creative energy.
Throughout the year, John travels throughout the country (and occasionally abroad) to help support Chehalem’s wide network of distributors. He also interacts with our customers at cellar tastings and wine dinners. Originally from Florida, John is a graduate of the University of Central Florida, where he studied psychology. He and his wife, Ksenija, who has winemaking ambitions of her own, recently relocated to the Portland area with their sweet-natured dog, Toby.
As a key member of the direct sales team, Jason conducts cellar tastings, assists with winery events, single-handedly manages all of our direct shipping, and helps coordinate computer sales activity.
Originally from Florida, Jason moved to Oregon in the mid-nineties to trade the sunny beaches for the mountains and rivers where he could escape with his kayak year round. He has an educational background in foreign languages and psychology from the University of Florida and, prior to joining us here at Chehalem, spent the last decade working in the restaurant service industry. He came to us with a passion and depth of knowledge about wine derived from years of appreciation (and consumption!) and courses in sommelier certification.
Heather focuses on communications for all of sales, helps Caroline and Jason with events and tastings, and assists Harry with general winery PR and organization. She grew up in the Napa Valley, was educated at UC Berkeley, and now finds herself equally at home among the Willamette’s gnarled vines.
With an extensive background in culinary publishing, Heather has developed a keen interest in graphic design as well as an eye for detail that she can’t seem to quench. She enjoys drawing, reading, and pondering the wine-dark sea of Oregon Pinot Noir with her husband, Chris.
Priscilla Richardson is Chehalem's accountant,
responsible for financial information, accounting processes and
business rigor.
Priscilla's background is primarily in the construction industry as controller for a general contractor as well as providing accounting and consulting services to contractors through a public accounting firm. Her interest in the winery industry began during the construction of several wineries where she was actively involved on-site throughout the construction process and was eager to learn more about the wine-making side of the business. This should give her that chance!
She has two sons, Keith and Grant, who are grown and is occasionally accompanied to work by Oscar, her Rhodesian-shepherd mix companion.
Louise
is our administrative and accounting assistant, responsible for accounts payable as well as the friendly voice receiving telephone calls during office
hours. Her consistently positive attitude and infectious laugh never cease to brighten our days, and her tendancy to be generous with the dog biscuits have made her the favorite of Harry's two Siberian huskies, Bala and Dimitri.
A native of Yamhill County for over 30 years, she lives on a small farm in Dundee with her husband, Ray; their dog, Nike; and two cats, Freckles and Lucy. When she's not at the winery, you might find Louise line dancing at Bushwhacker's. Watch your toes!
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© CHEHALEM
31190 NE Veritas Lane • Newberg, OR 97132
Tasting Room (503) 538-4700 • Winery (503) 537-5553 • Fax (503) 537-0850
