With the careful selection of the land, strategic planting, and the skillful oversight of the vineyard managers, the success of each vintage ultimately rests in the capable hands of the winemakers and their ability to extract the full potential of the Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris grapes. Creating Vista Hills Vineyard wines is a shared practice courtesy of our guest winemaker program. Some of the region's most talented artisans work under our label, securing strength and range in what we bottle. Each vintner works with the Vista Hills grapes in their own unique fashion to achieve dynamically different - but equally delightful - wines.

Rooted and educated in Bordeaux, Montalieu began his American winemaking career in Napa. A graduate of the Institute of Oenology of Bordeaux, the fourth-generation vintner has applied his minimalism to northwest wineries Bridgeview and Willakenzie. He now crafts wine for Lachini Vineyards in McMinnville and owns and operates Solena Cellars and Northwest Wine Company, both in the Willamette Valley.

Tom Mortimer - Le Cadeau Vineyard
www.lecadeauvineyard.com

Hailing from Minnesota, Mortimer chased work all the way to Dundee, where he makes wine under the Le Cadeau Vineyard label. His exceptional vines stand in what many have called Oregon’s rockiest vineyard. Educated in economics with a work history that includes industrial recycling in nearby Dundee, Mortimer is now fixed on and deeply skilled at what this region does so well: wine.

Greg Sanders and Jesus Guillen Jr. - White Rose Wines
www.whiterosewines.com

Born on the east Coast, Sanders soon migrated west and spends ample time in southern California, where he oversees a manufacturing company. His local project, White Rose Wines, is a stone's throw from Vista Hills. 2001 marked Sanders first vintage and his grasp on local terroir and viticulture has only tightened since. Cellar Master Guillen Jr. is Sanders' trusty right-hand man at White Rose.

Jason Silva - Arcane Cellars
www.arcanecellars.com

Locally-raised artisan Jason Silva operates out of his family's Wheatland Winery facility in rural Salem, on the bank of the Willamette River. Silva boasts extensive varietal experience, having crafted Reislings, Syrahs, and Cabernet Sauvignons in addition to the Willamette Valley's usual suspects.

Jim Seufert - Seufert Winery
www.seufertwinery.com

2008 will mark the Dayton-based vintner's fourth vintage. Seufert's small batch production model is Pinot driven and gaining recognition. Having faired quite well at the Portland Indy Wine Festival, Seufert has been labeled a "future star" in the winemaking world by Zenith Vineyards owner Tim Ramey.

Tony Rynders - Tony Rynders Consulting
www.tonyrynders.com

Originally from Wisonsin, Rynders has been on the west coast for over two decades. The UC Davis grad's resume includes work at Hogue Cellars in Washington, as well as at Oregon wineries Argyle and Domaine Serene. In between, Rynders spent time interning in Italy and Australia. 2008 will mark Tony's first vintage as a partner with Vista Hills.

Michael Stevenson - Panther Creek Cellars
www.panthercreekcellars.com

A true craftsman, Stevenson was lured to Oregon by the beer brewing scene, originally pouring pints at McMinnville's Golden Valley Brewery. Cellar work and two New Zealand harvests converted him to full-time wine enthusiast. He has spent fourteen years at Panther Creek, where he is head winemaker, and runs a much smaller label - Stevenson Barrie - on the side.