Bill Sanchez combines science and art in the winegrowing business, leveraging 30 years as a PhD Nutritionist and 15 years as a professional potter. The winery intentionally limits production, making less than 1,000 cases annually. Varietals include estate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, Cabernet, Merlot, Sangiovese, and Syrah from single vineyard estates in Washington. The winery aims to offer “the very best tasting experience available anywhere in Oregon.” bill@pottersvineyard.com https://pottersvineyard.com/
What’s the ONE THING most unique, authentic, memorable about your winery brand?
My wife Sandy and I provide a unique vineyard experience, combining our love of wine, pottery, music, and art. One unique thing about Potter’s Vineyard is that it is also home to a Clay Art Gallery and a working pottery studio. The Clay Art Gallery includes pieces curated by Sandy from local artists, and I craft my own pieces in the pottery studio. Guests can also make and fire their clay work during special events. Our commitment to local artists extends beyond the art gallery. Most weekends, we have live music with talented local musicians performing for guests.
We’re trying to foster a sense of community, hoping visitors become “Forever Friends,” returning to reconnect with Sandy and me and our beloved dog, Terra.
Describe how and what you’d do with your winemaking career or winery business if you were not constrained. Sky’s the limit!
If we could do one thing with no constraints it would be to clone ourselves with a couple of people who could grow the grapes, make the wine and manage the tasting room and wine club. Then we could travel around to other wineries, wine regions, and pottery events to bring new ideas and inspirations to our business.
What is the One Wine most emblematic of your brand and/or winemaking style? Tell us its story.
The one wine that is most emblematic of our winemaking is our Estate Reserve Pinot Noir. This wine comes from our best blend of new and neutral French Oak barrels from our Estate Pommard and Dijon 777 Clones of Pinot Noir every year. This wine represents our terroir, our most complex wine, and our style of gentle handling that typifies the wine we produce. The 2018 received our first 95 point score and led the way in getting us featured as the Oregon Winery to watch. Read this wine review here.
What’s the one thing people would be surprised to learn about you?
Bill has a Ph.D. in Animal Nutrition and uses all the knowledge he gained in feeding and nurturing animals to grow healthy grape vines!