Chehalem
AVA - Chehalem Mountains, Oregon
Chehalem (Chuh-hay-lum) is a local American Indian word best translated as "gentle land" or "valley of flowers," which captures a long-standing, almost religious reverence for the land. Chehalem's first vineyard was planted by Harry Peterson-Nedry in 1980 at Ridgecrest Vineyard on Ribbon Ridge Road, northwest of Newberg, Oregon. Once established, the grapes were sold to others, while Harry studied his craft. Chehalem's first commercial wine was its 1990 Ridgecrest Pinot Noir. Friends Bill and Cathy Stoller joined Peterson-Nedry in the winery in 1993, providing grapes and much more from their Stoller Family Vineyard and winery, a densly planted 125 acres at the southern tip of the Dundee Hills. In February 2018, Bill Stoller acquired Peterson-Nedry's share of equity in Chehalem.
Equally well-known for red and white wine quality, Chehalem carries a passion and focus for cool climate varieties that reflect both site and climate in complex, structured and intensely fruited wines. The Chehalem wines are known for their purity of fruit flavors and their authentic Burgundian style.