Bergstrom
Summary
Bergström Wines is a family-owned estate in Oregon's Willamette Valley producing approximately 10,000 cases annually, primarily focusing on single-vineyard Pinot Noir and Sigrid Chardonnay from their 85 acres across five diverse sites featuring volcanic and marine sedimentary soils. The winery combines Josh Bergström's Burgundian training with biodynamic farming practices (Demeter-certified since 2000), native yeast fermentations, and traditional cellar techniques including gravity flow processing and French oak aging to express each vineyard's distinctive character.
Heritage & Leadership
Bergström Wines was established in 1999 by Dr. John and Karen Bergström, who purchased a 13-acre hillside property in the Dundee Hills of Oregon's Willamette Valley. The winery represents the fulfillment of the Bergström family's multi-generational agricultural heritage, with Swedish roots that influenced their approach to farming and winemaking. Shortly after the winery's founding, their son Josh Bergström joined the family business after completing his viticultural and enological studies in Burgundy, France. Josh assumed the role of winemaker and vineyard manager, bringing technical expertise and Old World sensibilities to the operation.
Under Josh Bergström's direction as winemaker and general manager, the winery has expanded its vineyard holdings while maintaining a focus on quality over quantity. His wife Caroline joined the business in the early 2000s, contributing to the family-operated nature of the enterprise. The winery has steadily developed its reputation for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay production, with Josh's Burgundian training informing the winemaking approach while adapting to Oregon's distinct growing conditions.
Vineyards & Wines
Bergström Wines manages five estate vineyards totaling approximately 85 acres across the Willamette Valley. Their original Bergström Vineyard sits on a 13-acre site in the Dundee Hills AVA, planted primarily to Pinot Noir with some Chardonnay on volcanic Jory soils at elevations between 300-400 feet. The 20-acre Silice Vineyard, established in 2001, is located in the Chehalem Mountains on marine sedimentary soils, providing a contrasting terroir expression for their Pinot Noir program.
Additional estate properties include the Winery Block surrounding the production facility, Le Pré du Col Vineyard in the Ribbon Ridge AVA, and Gregory Ranch in the Yamhill-Carlton District. Each vineyard contributes distinct characteristics to Bergström's portfolio, which centers on single-vineyard Pinot Noir bottlings that express site-specific qualities. Their Sigrid Chardonnay, named after John Bergström's mother, has become one of Oregon's most recognized white wines. The winery produces approximately 10,000 cases annually, with vineyard plantings predominantly featuring Dijon clones of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, along with heritage selections.
Philosophy & Practice
Bergström Wines has operated under Demeter-certified biodynamic farming practices since 2000, making them early adopters of this agricultural approach in Oregon. Their viticultural methods include the application of biodynamic preparations, attention to lunar cycles, and the elimination of synthetic chemicals in favor of building soil health through natural processes. The winery maintains dedicated compost programs and cover crop management to enhance biodiversity and soil vitality across their estate vineyards.
In the cellar, Josh Bergström employs native yeast fermentations for both Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Pinot Noir fermentations typically include varying percentages of whole clusters depending on the vineyard and vintage conditions. The winery utilizes gravity flow processes throughout production to minimize harsh mechanical intervention. Aging takes place in French oak barrels, with new oak percentages carefully calibrated for each wine—typically 15-30% for single-vineyard Pinots and up to 50% for their Sigrid Chardonnay. The wines are bottled unfined and unfiltered to preserve site expression and structural integrity. This combination of biodynamic farming and minimal-intervention winemaking reflects Bergström's commitment to translating Willamette Valley terroir into finished wines with precision and authenticity.