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Stoller Spin-Off: growing, but remaining small and controlled


	Bill & Cathy Stoller at their home

Stoller Vineyards, one of our three estate vineyards and owned by Bill and Cathy Stoller, who are 50% owners of Chehalem with Harry Peterson-Nedry, will begin making on-site a very limited amount of Pinot noir and Chardonnay from the 100+ acres of fruit currently planted. Beginning with the 2001 vintage a small amount of Pinot noir fruit will be selected for a premium label wine, with what will eventually be recognized as a distinctive Stoller Vineyards style. (Read more about the Stoller Vineyards in our About Us section.)

Planted beginning in 1995, the vineyard provided fruit to five wineries in 2000 harvest, including Chehalem, Adelsheim, Domaine Drouhin, Argyle and Cameron. Chehalem uses 31 acres of the vineyard for its Pinot noirs, Chardonnays, Pinot gris and Pinot blanc. With additional planting to resume after a couple year hiatus, which begins this year, Bill and Cathy wanted to create signature wines of their own, while maintaining their relationships with the other wineries.

Winery construction will begin later this year on a 5,000+ case facility situated discretely on the 350-acre Dundee Hills property which has been in Bill's family for a couple generations and on which they now live. Completion is expected before the 2002 harvest.


Cheryl Francis

Ernie Munch is the architect and Chehalem's co-winemaker Cheryl Francis is providing technical design direction and will also be winemaker, given the task of developing a distinctive style appropriate to the Single Estate Vineyard. She will retain her role at Chehalem as the startup kicks-off with minor quantities.

Chehalem's 1999 Stoller Vineyard designate pinot noir is being released at Memorial Day, exhibiting rich, round cherry fruit, laced with a touch of herbal nuance, very good weight, fruit sweetness and length.