Stonefield Vineyard

Stonefield Vineyard, established in 1984, is owned and operated by Ruth & Bill Wendover. Bill's interest in viticulture began while working for the Santa Fe Railway in San Francisco as their eastbound transcontinental freight pricing supervisor. Being in daily contact with most of the major California wineries concerning their transportation and distribution problems, he found himself wanting to know more about this fascinating wine industry. In 1979 Bill began formal classes in viticulture with Richard Thomas and enology with Stuart Smith (Smith Madrone Winery) at Santa Rosa Jr. College in Sonoma County, California.

During frequent trips to Southern Oregon's Illinois Valley Bill and Ruth met Ted and Meri Gerber (Foris Winery owners) and decided that land they owned would be suitable for growing wine grapes. While continuing to work in San Francisco they began developing their vineyard site. In 1984 they made the break from the corporate business world and moved to Oregon.

Stonefield Vineyard's original planting was to the Wadensville clone of Pinot Noir, a small block of Gewurztraminer and Early Muscat. The vine spacing of 4ft. by 6 ft. made Stonefield one of the earliest narrow spaced vineyard in the state. Additionally the vineyard has proven to be the coolest site in Southern Oregon, which matches well with the cool climate varieties grown. The name of the vineyard is based on the fact that Stonefield is just that, the rockiest vineyard in the state. In 1990 a second vineyard planted to Pinot Gris was completed, bringing the total planting to ten acres.