Soter Vineyards

Then, 2015

Now, 2023

UPDATE July, 2023:

When we visited Soter Vineyards in Carlton, Oregon, we got to experience a very special wine tasting. At the time they were just beginning plans to expand into an even more unique experience, which is their MSR Provisions Tasting. Well, here we are nearly 8 years later and we’ve just returned from another 5 Heart Journey to Oregon, this time specifically the Willamette Valley wine region. I specifically designed the 4-day trip around Soter’s Provisions Tasting and I have to say, that was a very good decision!

2023

I’m not going to go into too much detail about the experience as I think it is better to know as little as possible because the surprises are great and many. But I will say that if you are planning a trip to my favorite wine region in the United States, you may want to do just what we did and make sure you don’t miss the Provisions Tasting. It’s easy to do for a variety of reasons including the fact that they sell out and offer it only Thursday through Monday. (Please always check hours of operation for anything you plan to do when traveling.) You will need a reservation which will be confirmed and reconfirmed prior to your arrival. Which is just one of many things Soter does right. On this visit we got to meet Tony Soter and he was, as I imagined, a very peaceful, kind, and welcoming human being. Understatement.

ORIGINAL POST: June, 2015

MSR or Mineral Springs Ranch is described on their website as a 240-acre oak savanna in the heart of Oregon wine country. It is the home of a biodynamic estate vineyard, planted to 15 acres of Pinot Noir in 2002 and 2003, and an additional 15 acres in 2006. Two acres of Chardonnay were included in the 2006 plantings and are devoted entirely to our sparkling wine production. Small extension blocks have been added over the years to grow our total production to 40 acres.

A quick Google search will tell you that “biodynamic” is a holistic, ecological, and ethical approach to farming, gardening, food, and nutrition. I was so impressed by what they were doing at Soter, it immediately became my favorite US winery. There is an energy about this place unmatched with any vineyard/winery I have visited. I had always planned to go back.

So when I learned recently of the passing of one of the founders of Soter Vineyards, Michelle Soter, I literally cried. I did not get to meet her or her husband the day we visited, (because they were living on a boat in Portland until their children finished school) but I really wanted to. These people, especially Michelle, embody everything good about environmentalism, organics, biodynamics, nutrition, and holistic lifestyle. When I lived in Oregon over 40 years ago, I felt I was living among “my people.” Michelle Soter, from what I know of her, is definitely my kind of people. What an incredible legacy she has created!

I haven’t even mentioned the wines at Soter, but I will say this, when someone who knows me and good wine quite well, was asked for a suggestion for a gift for me, they immediately said Soter wines. And boy were they right!

Also, this may not be a big deal to you if you’ve had this kind of experience, but I just loved the fact that we didn’t even make it 20 steps from our car before we were greeted with a chilled glass of their amazing sparkling rosé. The tasting just got better and better as the day went on.

You can get some idea of the beauty of this place and the people who created it from their website and Facebook page, but I will tell you it is even more spectacular when you actually get there!

Thank you, Michelle Soter, for all you did to make the world of wine better and for creating this special place. May you rest peacefully.