| Oregon Magazine |
| Decanting with Delkin
Second Generation Expands Dundee Winery Leadership By Fred Delkin A pioneer in Oregon's modern revival of its wine industry has expanded its executive staff as it enters the 2005 marketing season. Sokol Blosser winery of Dundee adds founding family member Alison Sokol Blosser Spoljaric as Director of Marketing. Alison joins her mother, president Susan Sokol Blosser and vice president brother Alex as the winery extends into its fourth decade of operation. Alison has marketing chops with an MBA in the subject from the University of Washington and corporate experience with Nordstrom and Nike. Marriage partners Bill Blosser and Ssan Sokol met in college at Stanford University and were wed in 1966. Her family developed a strong wine appreciation background from their European roots and infected the newlyweds with a vinous bug. Shortly after graduation, the couple explored the just-forming modern Oregon wine industry. They bought a run-down prune raising property in the Dundee Hills with the purpose of planting a vineyard and creating a winery. Their vineyard was planted in 1971 and the winery opened in 1977. Winemaking efforts were spurred by meetings with neighboring winery pioneers Dick Erath and David Lett (Eyrie). Bill served on the initial Oregon Wine Advisory Board as this columnist devised an Oreogn Wine marketing program funded by a grape tax established by the state administration of Governor Victor Atiyeh. The Blossers are the epitome of 'getting things done.' Bill, who claims recent retirement, utilized his Standford Land Management degree to become a vice president of international engineering and planning firm CH2M Hill in addition to his wine activity. He has served as chair of Oregon's Land Conservation & Development Commission, the Yamhill county Planning Commission, Oregon Water Resources Commission and the state Council on Portland Area Growth Issues. Susan obtaned a 1967 arts master at Reed College, has taught American history and served several terms on the Dayton school board while assuming daily direction of winery affairs. She is a founder of the International Pinot Noir Celebration, trustee of Marylhurst College, director of the Oregon Environmental Council and the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. She and Bill have raised three children, with a pair now helping direct the family's wine investment. Sokol Blosser winery has reached a 30,000 case production level, with vintages produced from predominantly estate-grown grapes that include Pinot noir, Pinot Gris and Riesling, plus a pair of recent blends: Evolution, created with no less than 9 white grape varietas and Meditrina, a red bottling from Pinot nooir, Syrah and Zinfandel. Sustainability a watchword The Blossers follow a dedicated environmental bent. "Sustainability" is their theme in vineyard opertations. They have virtually eliminated the use of synthetic chemicals and fertilizers and have been in the forefront of a "Salmon Safe" effort by the Pacific Rivers Coundil to curtail stream pollution and enhance stream restoration. Sokol Blosser has worked with the U.S. Soil Conservation Service to develop cover crops that control erosion and avoid competition with grapes for water and nutrition. In 2002 Sokol Blosser bnecame the nation's first winery to receive natinal award certification from the U.S. Green Building Council for their new barrel storage cellar, dug underground for natural cooling and featuring a 'living' roof covered with a wildflower cover crop. Susan states "this was a natural choice for us...a needed facility expansion keeping our commitment to environmental responsibility throughout our operation." We are happy to report that all this concern for environment is now matched with consistently high quality wines. This wasn't always the case with past SB vintages and varietals, but Susan has exercised her presidential ranking to appoint a new winemaker, Russ Rosner, with 20 years experience in California wineries. Susan declares that newly designed labels "project an image for elegant, clean-lined, sophisticated wines." © 2005 Oregon Magazine |