Soter
Summary
Soter Vineyards is a family-owned, 10,000-case producer in Oregon's Yamhill-Carlton District, focusing primarily on Pinot Noir grown on the 32-acre Mineral Springs Ranch estate vineyard with marine sedimentary soils at 300-500 feet elevation. Their winemaking combines Tony Soter's Napa Valley experience with Oregon's cool-climate potential through native yeast fermentations and moderate oak influence, while maintaining Demeter Biodynamic certification since 2012 with 160 acres preserved as native habitat.
Heritage & Leadership
Soter Vineyards was established in 1997 when Tony and Michelle Soter purchased a 240-acre property in Oregon's Yamhill-Carlton District. Tony Soter, who built his reputation as a consulting winemaker in Napa Valley working with producers like Spottswoode, Shafer, and Araujo, relocated to Oregon to focus on Pinot Noir and sparkling wine production. The Soters developed their Mineral Springs Ranch property gradually, planting their first vines in 2001 and completing their winery facility in 2009.
In 2017, James Cahill, who had worked alongside Tony since 2002, was appointed as Director of Winemaking and Viticulture. The Soter family maintains ownership of the estate, with Tony and Michelle continuing to guide the vision while their daughter, Hallie, has taken on increasing responsibilities in the business operations. The transition represents a deliberate succession plan to maintain family stewardship of the property.
Vineyards & Wines
Soter's primary estate, Mineral Springs Ranch, encompasses 240 acres in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA, with 32 acres planted to vineyard. The property sits on marine sedimentary soils at elevations ranging from 300 to 500 feet. The vineyard composition includes 26 acres of Pinot Noir and 6 acres dedicated to Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, and Pinot Gris for their sparkling wine program.
The estate vineyard features a northeast-facing slope that provides protection from afternoon heat, allowing for extended hang time and flavor development. Vine density averages 2,000 plants per acre, with the oldest blocks dating to 2001. Soter also sources fruit from select vineyards in the Willamette Valley for their North Valley wines, including sites in Yamhill-Carlton, Ribbon Ridge, and Eola-Amity Hills AVAs.
Their wine portfolio is structured around three tiers: the estate Mineral Springs Ranch wines, the North Valley series (regional blends), and their sparkling wines produced under the Soter Vineyards label. Production remains deliberately limited, with approximately 10,000 cases produced annually across all wines.
Philosophy & Practice
Soter Vineyards has maintained Demeter Biodynamic certification for their Mineral Springs Ranch since 2012, implementing practices that treat the entire property as an integrated agricultural system. Their approach includes maintaining 160 acres of the estate as native oak savanna and forest, using cover crops between vine rows, and integrating livestock into their farming model.
In the winery, Soter employs a minimalist approach with native yeast fermentations for their estate wines. Pinot Noir fermentations typically include 15-30% whole clusters depending on the vintage, with aging conducted in French oak barrels (25-30% new) for 10-12 months. Their sparkling wines follow traditional méthode champenoise production with secondary fermentation in bottle and extended aging on lees for a minimum of three years before disgorgement.
Water conservation represents a core focus at the estate, with a comprehensive rainwater collection system that captures runoff from winery buildings for vineyard irrigation. Solar panels installed on the winery roof in 2015 provide approximately 40% of the facility's electricity needs. These practices align with their commitment to site stewardship and minimal intervention winemaking, allowing their vineyard's distinctive characteristics to be expressed in their wines.