The firm where I worked for 25 years – CFM Strategic Communications – celebrated its 25^th anniversary this month by hosting a wine pairing dinner at Willamette Valley Vineyards (WVV), one of Oregon’s premier winemaking enterprises.

Actually, the president of WVV, Jim Bernau, hosted us at his establishment just south of Salem in the hills near I-5, a location which affords incredible views to the west, including the initial grapevines, which Jim planted himself about 30 years ago.

Jim, one of the most capable entrepreneurs I know, offered various reports over dinner about the wine industry in Oregon, which has prospered over the years. He peppered his comments with stories of the public policy achievements over the years by Oregon wineries, as well as about specific results by the industry in being environmentally friendly.

That was interesting news for all of us at CFM because, over the years, we have had the privilege of representing the Oregon Winegrowers Association at the Capitol in Salem, often with Jim chairing the committee with which we worked. So, we share with Jim and many other winemakers credit in Oregon for passing laws in that have allowed the industry to flourish here.

The WVV mission statement says it all: “Our mission in growing cool-climate varietals is to create elegant, classic Oregon wines from the Willamette Valley Appellation. As native Oregonians, we treasure our environment and sustainable practices in vinifying our winegrapes.”

As reported in the WVV website, Bernau, “purchased the estate site in 1983 and cleared away,” by his own hand, “the old pioneer plum orchard hidden in scotch broom and blackberry vines. He planted Pinot Noir (Pommard and Wadenswil clones), Chardonnay (Dijon and Espiguette) and Pinot Gris.  In the beginning, he hand-watered the vines with thousands of feet of hose.

“Numerous classes at UC Davis, and seminars from here to France, sharpened Jim’s viticultural skills and in 1989 he was ready to build his dream–a world class winery in the Willamette Valley—and make cool-climate varietals, especially Pinot Noir, in sufficient quantities to be served and sold in the best restaurants and bottle shops in the world.

“A combination of determination and extraordinary people has brought Willamette Valley Vineyards from an idea to one of the region’s leading wineries, earning the title “One of America’s Great Pinot Noir Producers,” from Wine Enthusiast Magazine…

“The winery and underground cellar are carved into the top of an ancient volcanic flow, the soil red from its oxidized iron content and well-drained. This unique terroir is similar to the red clay soil found in the Grand Cru Pinot Noir vineyards of Romaneé-st-Vivant in Burgundy, where the ‘soil gives France’s most perfumed, satiny, expensive wine.’”

Thus, the award winning Willamette Valley label.

We have been honored to share many of our 25 years with Jim and his colleagues, plus to enjoy wine and dinner at his fine establishment earlier this month.

If you get a chance, visit the winery yourself. You’ll be impressed by the location, the service – the best in the business in my judgment – and, of course, the fine wine.

So, Jim, here’s to another 25 years!

If you get a chance, visit the winery yourself. You’ll be impressed by the location, the service – the best in the business in my judgment – and, of course, the fine wine.

So, Jim, here’s to another 25 years!