Ed King is the co-founder of King Estate Winery in Willamette Valley, Oregon. His vision ensures King Estate will thrive for generations to come.
Ed founded King Estate in 1991 with his father, Ed King, Jr. (1921 – 2012). Their enterprising roots go back to Kansas City, Missouri, where his father’s aviation electronics company, King Radio, was based. After earning a law degree from the University of Missouri in 1975, Ed practiced law in Alaska and then worked for King Radio. Ed made his way to the University of Oregon in Eugene, where he earned an MBA in 1982. He then established a groundbreaking cardiac care center at the region’s largest hospital. Later, in 1994, he founded Oak Hill School, a college preparatory school in Eugene.
Ed planted roots in Oregon, falling in love with the rugged landscape. By 1990 he owned timberland and farmland that included two small vineyards. A growing interest in wine and a simple search for hay led Ed to discover a spectacular piece of land on the outskirts of Eugene. The 600-acre property was a ranch at the time, but Ed envisioned a beautiful vineyard. With his father, Ed purchased the land and established King Estate Winery in 1991. Over the years other family members have joined the business — as owners and as staff. The winery continues to evolve, adding neighboring parcels, opening a larger Tasting Room in 2006, and becoming one of Oregon’s largest and most successful wineries, distributed across the country and around the world.
Media Inquiries: Jenny Ulum JennyU@kingestate.com | https://kingestate.com/
What’s the ONE THING most unique, authentic, & memorable about your brand?
Our unique attributes are about our Biodynamic farming method, our responsible practices in every respect. We are the largest Biodynamic vineyard in North America. King Estate is known for pioneering Oregon wine in the marketplace and pioneering Pinot Gris from Oregon as a leading white. One thing we would like to do is successfully set an example for others that grape growing our way is the best way, and it’s viable. We want people to know that Oregon’s cool climate wines are world-class examples of their varietal.
Describe how and what you’d do with your winemaking career or winery business if you were not constrained.
I am not sure I have felt constrained but we would have liked to raise awareness of the dangers of industrial food more, emphasizing the importance of organic local food production. Many regions of the US that could grow some or all of their own food do not do so. It is not only risky but it separates people from the knowledge and capability needed to grow their food.
What is the One Wine most emblematic of your brand and/or winemaking style? Tell us its story.
Emblematic wine is clearly the King Estate Domaine Pinot Gris, made with the best fruit from our own estate vineyard, all Biodynamic/organic. Our winemakers take great care to select the top-quality fruit for this wine and blend it with other exceptional lots from our estate to create a premier Pinot Gris, year after year. It is a feat of the senses and science, a statement wine that we believe holds its own with the best in the world. Read my review of the WV Domaine Pinot Gris.
Bonus Question: Why Winemaking?
Towering challenges and difficult pioneering make for an interesting life. A look back shows a lot of ground was covered and goals reached. I think playing it safe would have been a mistake.