Second careers, a well-planned next chapter, the pursuit of our shared passion – all in some way describe our new life in Oregon. The kernels of Winderlea were spun over milestone birthdays and anniversaries, travels to our favorite wine regions, and nightly dinners with a bottle of wine after good and not so good days at the office.

In the early 90s we fell in love with Pinot noir. Its elegance and sensuality – and the beautiful way it paired with a range of foods delighted us. As we tasted through wines from across the country we found the characteristics we most loved in Oregon Pinot noir. We believe it is due in large part to Oregon’s unique climate and soils paired with the heritage of artisanal craftsmanship and an obsession with making small lots of the highest quality wine. On a practical level we found the Oregon wine community to be a collaborative one – where newcomers are welcomed, tutored and expected to perfect their craft.

In 2006 we relocated from Boston and have made Dundee, Oregon our home. We are committed to continuing the traditions of responsible stewardship of the land and the highest quality artisan winemaking.

A Northwest native and graduate of McMinnville’s Linfield College (go Wildcats!), I had my first foray into the wine industry as a student working part time and finishing my degree in Economics and Studio Art.  The uniqueness of the industry, the opportunities it afforded and the community I was becoming a part of had me hooked.  I spent several years managing hospitality programs before deciding I was ready to see a different aspect of the industry.

With boundless enthusiasm and absolutely zero cellar experience, I headed to Marlborough, New Zealand to do my first harvest.  What was intended to be a six month sabbatical turned into five years, six countries, nine harvests and a lifetime’s worth of experience and memories.

I certainly have not exhausted my desire to travel, and while I am quite happy to be wearing clean clothes and to have found a home back in the Willamette Valley, I love getting out on the road, visiting markets and meeting Winderlea wine lovers across the country.  The winemaking team even lets me in the cellar now and again.

I made my way to Oregon from Southern California and my interest in wine was ignited while traveling.  I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Winemaking and immediately began exploring different regions, absorbing all that I could about their food, wine and culture. After stints in Northern California and the Central Coast, Australia, and New Zealand, I made my way to Oregon for harvest and decided it was my new home.

After working the 2013 harvest in Oregon (whew!) I decided to switch gears and pursue a career focused on the business side of wine. I spent a number of years working in hospitality and managing wine clubs before deciding my interests were in a more behind the scenes role. I am delighted to be a part of the Winderlea team, helping to coordinate all things related to compliance, shipping, and customer service.  On the weekends you can find me knee-deep in a recipe, out on a run, or sharing a drink outside with my husband and friends.

Coming from Kansas, I am a proud alum of my hometown Wichita State University.  After spending my early career in insurance sales, I decided to take a work hiatus to travel through Argentine wine country.   That experience sparked a passion for wine that would lead to a new career, beginning in a wine shop in Wichita, which is where I discovered my love for Oregon wine.

Following a desire to be in the thick of the action, I soon moved west and in April of 2015 joined the team at Winderlea.  When I’m not behind the bar in the tasting room, I love exploring Portland and the Pacific Northwest. Besides a love of wine, my favorite things include laughing incessantly with friends, traveling and Law and Order SVU.

I have had the pleasure of representing and selling Oregon wines around the world for over 20 years. I’ve been a part of many different facets of the industry and have been lucky to work directly for many Willamette Valley wineries in varying capacities. I have both traveled across the country selling and sharing our wines and also welcomed visitors here- managing hospitality programs that create top notch experiences that speak to what we love about this great area. I have a passion for food, wine, music and adventure. When I’m not cooking and entertaining at home, you will most likely find me skiing in the mountains or riding my bike through this beautiful Valley.