Katie Santora is the winemaker for Chehalem Winery in Willamette Valley. She joined Chehalem in 2012 as assistant winemaker. Katie has facilitated every aspect of the winemaking process in her thirteen-year tenure. Her expert knowledge of our vineyard sites and house style made her the perfect candidate to assume the role of winemaker in 2018. In her current position, Katie considers herself a conductor as she empowers her team, ensuring everyone feels happy and productive. Winemaking allows Katie to be in tune with the grapes as they progress through the season, allowing her to have a deeper understanding of the vintage, and the world at large. Originally from Utah, Katie became interested in wine while attending UC Davis where she graduated with a degree in enology and viticulture. Media Inquiries: Hannah Guth HannahG@StollerWineGroup.com | https://www.chehalemwines.com/
What’s the ONE THING most unique, authentic, & memorable about your brand?
When I think about what makes Chehalem authentic, we believe that magic lies within each of our four estate vineyards. Since the beginning, we’ve focused on showcasing the extraordinary energy and vibrancy these sites hold through single-vineyard bottlings of both red and white wines. Corral Creek, Stoller, and Ridgecrest Vineyards have been part of Chehalem’s story from the start, with plantings in the early 1980s and mid-1990s.
Chehalem Estate, acquired in 2018, became our fourth vineyard. It was first planted in 2007, with new plantings beginning in 2019, and we are excited for the Grand Opening of our new Estate Tasting Room on this incredible property at the end of March. After joining Stoller Wine Group in 2018, Chehalem embraced storytelling to emphasize what makes each vineyard unique and different. Our goal is for guests to see the full story of these unique places through every glass of wine.
Describe how and what you’d do with your winemaking career or winery business if you were not constrained.
If I could do anything with my winemaking career without limitations, I would bring everything I love about Oregon’s wine industry to Utah. Portland and the Willamette Valley have been my home since 2008, and I love everything this region offers, from our collaborative spirit within the wine industry to the cool climate. However, I grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah, surrounded by epic mountains and endless outdoor adventures, like hiking, skiing, climbing, and camping. These aspects were integral to my life. Combining my love for Oregon’s wine industry with Utah’s landscapes would be a dream. If the challenges of Utah’s alcohol laws didn’t exist, I believe a winery there could thrive. Blending these two passions of mine into something truly unique.
What is the One Wine most emblematic of your brand and/or winemaking style? Tell us its story.
Since the early ’80s, Chehalem has had a variety of emblematic wines that reflect a moment in time. Today, I believe our Chehalem Estate Pinot Noir represents who we are now. Chehalem Estate Vineyard, our newest addition, was purchased in 2018. It was first planted in 2007, and new plantings began in 2019. In 2020, we acquired an adjacent parcel of established Pinot Noir and Pinot Blanc vines planted in 2007-2008. The back section of this parcel is picturesque, with a secluded, south-facing slope surrounded by evergreens with panoramic views of Mt. Hood. When you’re there, it feels like a secret garden. It’s where the fairies live. It’s quiet, peaceful, and has a higher elevation, so the vines self-regulate their vigor.
We source the Pinot Noir from this section for our Chehalem Estate Single Vineyard bottling. This vineyard represents the future of Chehalem. We’re opening a new Estate Tasting Room on this site in late March, and I cannot wait for our guests to enjoy our wines with a view of the land where they were grown. Having a tasting room on our estate vineyard has always been our dream, and I’m very excited to show it off! Read the 2022 Chehalem Estate wine review here.
Bonus Question: What’s the one thing people would be surprised to learn about you?
One surprising thing about me is that I brought my dog back from a harvest I worked in Colchagua Valley, Chile at Caliterra Winery. On my third day, a machine harvester driver found a litter of six puppies in the vineyard. Of course, we took them in. Their mother would visit to feed them, but she was too malnourished to care for them properly.
Another harvest intern, Alicia, and I took it upon ourselves to care for the puppies, feeding and nurturing them to make them stronger. After months of falling in love and bonding, I decided to bring one home to the U.S. It was not easy with vaccinations, the country’s approval, and arranging for her to fly as cargo on my way back. I have numerous people to thank for helping make my dream a reality. Mani has been by my side ever since. She’s become a unique part of Chehalem, coming to work with me almost every day since I started in 2012. Bringing her home was the best crazy decision I’ve ever made.