Soter Vineyards

Tony and Michelle Soter founded Soter Vineyards in 1997 with an unwavering commitment to their ideals in farming and craftsmanship. Their story picks up in California in the ‘80s and ‘90s where they both built successful, diverse careers in the wine business. Tony Soter gained recognition as the founder of Etude Wines, and consultant to luminaries such as Araujo, Shafer, Spottswoode, and Dalla Valle. He has demonstrated a genius for crafting award-winning wines over his four decades of innovative winegrowing. Michelle Soter had over 20 years of advertising and marketing experience. However, it was her ardent and abiding convictions in environmentalism, organics, biodynamics, nutrition, and holistic living that drove the business at Mineral Springs Ranch, creating an environment of endless possibilities. Working together, they consistently produced wines of the highest caliber in a way that treads softly on the earth. Their values are conveyed through respectful farming and craftsmanship, allowing a unique voice to emerge from these ancient soils and temperate climate.

After years of diligence, Tony and Michelle accomplished their ultimate goal in 2013: converting their 250-acre property into a certified biodynamic farm and haven for growing world-class wines. Certification through Demeter USA was achieved in 2016. In addition to being mindful stewards of the land, they provide an unrivaled workplace, sustaining a compassionate team that makes Soter Vineyards what it is today. In 2019, Michelle Soter passed away after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Her work lives on at MSR where Tony continues to model their business on natural systems in farming, winemaking, business development, and human experience.

Today, Winemaker Chris Fladwood is responsible for the entire portfolio of wines, from the limited production estate-grown Pinot Noirs and sparkling wines to competitively priced Planet Oregon bottlings. Chris’ commitment to quality, focus, and precision are hallmarks of his work, and the wines reflect his relentless devotion to the craft of winemaking.  Born and raised in Oregon, Chris Fladwood’s diverse background includes service in the United States Army and harvest work in Washington state, Bordeaux, New Zealand, and Oregon.