History

Doyle Hinman and David Smith opened Hinman Vineyards in 1979. By 1988, the winery had become Oregon's top selling winery. In 1993, Carolyn Chambers, a Eugene, Oregon businesswoman, President of Chambers Communication Corporation, and Chairperson of Chambers Construction, acquired the winery. That same year, Hinman released their premium line of reserve wines under the Silvan Ridge label.

Today, Silvan Ridge - Hinman Vineyards produces approximately 25,000 cases of premium wines including Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Early Muscat, Syrah, Grenache Rosé, Chardonnay, Cabernet, Merlot, and Riesling.

In 1995, Carolyn's daughter, Elizabeth (Liz) Chambers became general manager of the winery. Liz Chambers brings a strong background in finance and management to the business. Under her leadership the winery has grown to 12 employees, modernized its production facility and visitor center, created an online wine club, instituted a robust winery events calendar, and introduced a PR campaign to promote the Silvan brand nationally.

In 2005, Jonathan Oberlander was hired to head the winemaking team. Jonathan brings over a decade of winemaking experience to Silvan Ridge. Oberlander worked most recently at Bernardus Vineyards in Monteray, California.

At Silvan Ridge, Oberlander's mission is to create elegant wines that take advantage of the diverse climate and soil conditions within Oregon. He selects only the best fruit from a list of long-time growers. His winemaking style expresses classic European technique as well as the innovation of a new generation of Oregon winemakers and growers who show that world class wines can be made in Oregon.

Oberlander has focused his winemaking on the fruit sourced from the Willamette Valley in Northern Oregon and the Rogue Valley in Southern Oregon. He takes a hands on approach to vineyard management and finds working with smaller growers rewarding from the standpoint of sharing knowledge and seeing results. "That is where the wine is really made," says Oberlander. "iIf you start with anything less than wonderful fruit, you will end up with less than wonderful wine."

The Willamette Valley begins just south of Eugene and runs north to Portland. It is the coolest growing region and the source for most of the state's wine grapes — including its internationally known Pinot Noir. Vineyards are typically located on bench land hillsides at the western margin of the valley.

The Rogue Valley Appelation begins at the California border near Ashland, Oregon and extends 50 miles north and west in each direction. The region is a combination of warm and dry climates, favorable for Bordeaux and Rhone varieties.