Hillcrest Winery & Distillery

Specialties

In our historic wine tasting room you will taste our family’s limited production estate wines that are only sold here. Our friendly and educational guided tastings are comprised of 6 – 8 wines all made from estate dry farmed, hillside vineyards. We have been recognized internationally for our innovation and leadership in natural winemaking. In addition, we have worked and today craft wines from several European wine regions and offer these as well.

History

Established in 1961.

Oregon’s first modern day winery and the «Birthplace of Oregon Pinot Noir.»

Started by the «Father of the Oregon Wine Industry» Richard Sommer in 1961, many of the states first took place here and continue to until this day. In 1961 35 varieties were planted at our estate and for many of these it was their first time in Oregon including the Pinot family and Malbec. Stainless steel tanks, built in 1945, were used for the first time in Oregon with the opening of the wienry in 1963. Today we continue this heritage with our patented concrete ‘red wine” fermentors and the opening in 2011 of a European styled distillery specializing in eaux de vie (water of life) styled fruit brandies from apricot, pear, cherry and others. We have worked in the wine business in over 17 countries and specialize in traditionally farmed and crafted wine. It is our family’s goal to make wines that reflect the unique nature of the Umpqua Valley. «The trick is there are no tricks» Not sold in store Family owned.

Meet the Business Owner

Dyson D.

Business Owner

Dyson began in the wine industry in Napa Valley in the early 1980’s and has worked in virtually every capacity in wine. Starting with the resurrection of the California State Fair wine tasting he soon moved on to Pine Ridge Winery in Napa’s Stags Leap AVA. Later he spent 12 years with Robert Mondavi Winery and worked in several capacities in over 17 countries. Dyson he developed his own philosophy that «the trick is there are no tricks.» In 2001, he and his wife moved from Napa Valley where they had a vineyard and winery and purchased Oregon’s most historic winery from the family of Richard Sommer. Many of their experiences, working in Europe and South America, influence the hands off approach that allows natures fingerprint to show in the wines. Dyson and his wife Susan founded the Oregon Artisan Family Wineries in 2003 and can be seen in the movie «Mondovino» and the «History of Wine» on the History Channel. Dyson has also lectured at the University of Beijing on wine.