Ownership
Willamette Wineworks
Folsom, California
We are embarking on a new project to build Willamette Wineworks - coming soon to Folsom, California. Willamette Wineworks will feature food and wine pairings and a unique hands-on blending experience from barrel for you to learn and enjoy. We will be joining Scott’s Seafood in the new Roundhouse building in the revitalized Historic Folsom Station. The Roundhouse is modeled after the original used to house train engines in the 1800s and will join the restored railroad turntable, amphitheater, free public parking garage and additional three buildings to make up the Historic Folsom Station, the city’s vibrant living room for area residents, guests and tourists.
Jim Bernau's family connection to the area, and the vision for the historic district has brought this idea to life and allows us to take our Oregon wine story on the road to share with local wine enthusiasts. We anticipate an opening date in the fall season of 2018.
More than 300 Owners and Wine Enthusiasts joined us in February 2018 for the Roof Raising Celebration of Willamette Wineworks in historic Folsom, California.
Pictured left to right: Tasting Room Associate Carol Gilbert, Winery Ambassador Nicholas Denver and Senior Winery Ambassador Veronica Ball share our classic Oregon wines.
Bernau Estate
Bernau Estate and Vineyard, located near Dundee in the heart of Oregon wine country, will make méthode champenoise sparkling wines from biodynamically-grown grapes. We will use sustainable farming practices to create a balanced ecosystem that generates healthy soil and elegant wines. The winery will offer Oregon-inspired hospitality, beautiful gardens and a wine cave for you to explore and enjoy.
A Grand Opening Celebration will occur in 2020.
More than 600 Owners joined together in September 2017 to celebrate the groundbreaking of the new Bernau Estate Vineyard and Winery with shovels in hand.
Owners were invited to bring commemorative shovels to mark the special occasion and have signed by Founder Jim Bernau.
Elton
Dick and Betty O’Brien planted Elton Vineyard in 1983 and spent their lives growing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in the Eola Hills south of Dundee. It was named one of Oregon’s top ten vineyards by Wine Press Northwest and in Wine & Spirits as one of the five key vineyards in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA. They have enjoyed providing their winegrapes to some of Oregon's most talented winemakers over the years, including Consulting Winemaker Isabelle Meunier. Between Isabelle's first Oregon vintage in 2007 through the 2015 vintage, only 22 Oregon wines were awarded a score of 95 points or more by Wine Spectator Magazine. Isabelle produced 11 of those wines, including the highest-rated Oregon Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, ever.
Together we will build a winery adjacent to Elton Vineyard. The Elton winery will focus on small lots of premium Pinot Noir and Chardonnay starting with the 2015 vintage. The boutique winery will feature a stunning by-appointment-only tasting room with beautiful vineyard views.
More than 500 new Owners joined together in September 2015 for the groundbreaking of Elton Winery and historic planting of Pinot Noir vines.
Pictured from left to right: Consulting Winemaker Isabelle Meunier; Winery Director Christine Collier Clair; Willamette Valley Vineyards Founder Jim Bernau; Project & Staff Development Manager Jan Bernau; and Elton Vineyard Founders Dick & Betty O'Brien.
Pambrun
We have planted our vineyard of 15 acres alongside those Cabernet Sauvignon visionaries at SeVein. Located on the Oregon side of the Walla Walla Valley, SeVein is a collection of some of the highest quality vineyard land in the world anchored by the renowned Seven Hills Vineyard. Named in honor of Pierre Pambrun, Walla Walla’s first citizen who led the Hudson’s Bay trading post there and Founder Jim Bernau's fourth great-grandfather. The wines are made by Winemaker Jon Meuret, who has produced some of the highest scoring wines in the Walla Walla AVA. In April, 2018, we released the inaugural 2015 vintages of Pambrun Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chrysologue (a red blend). Wines may be purchased online or in the Walla Walla tasting room located at 20 N. 2nd Avenue, Walla Walla, WA 99362.
In the near future, we will build a by-appointment-only tasting room on the Oregon side of the Walla Walla Valley, designed by Architect Joe Chauncey of Boxwood. The tasting room will feature vineyard views overlooking the Walla Walla Valley and Blue Mountains.
More than 300 Owners brought their shovels to the Walla Walla Valley in May 2016 to plant Cabernet Sauvignon vines and celebrate the ground breaking for Pambrun.
Winemaker Jon Meuret and Winery Director Christine Collier Clair harvest Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from the Seven Hills Vineyard for first vintage of Pambrun. The Pambrun Vineyard was planted in the Spring of 2016.