Wine Crush Episode 7

Guest Biographies

Dave Coelho

Dave and Deolinda Coelho are the owners and day-to-day operators of Coelho Winery. Their story starts in the San Joaquin Valley in California, where as a young couple they farmed approximately 800 acres of tomatoes, sugar beets, corn, and alfalfa. Looking for a change and a good place to educate their very young children, while visiting Oregon, they fell in love with the rolling hills of the lush Willamette Valley. In 1991, they packed up their young family and moved to Amity where they transformed 40 acres 3 miles south of Amity into the renowned Coelho Estate Vineyard.

Bryan Laing

Bryan’s love of wine is rooted in his Oregon blood.

“I grew up in a family who appreciated great wine. I was taught that wine is something special yet something that is a staple of everyday life – a condiment with any meal… something to talk about over family dinners, something to share with good people and great friends, and something to collect and age with memories. It’s an inclusive part of everyday life.”

In 2006, Bryan’s love for wine on the dinner table grew into a love for winemaking with his family.

“We sourced amazing fruit from Trudy and Keith at Kramer Vineyards, and five of us set out to make our first Pinot Noir. It’s funny to look back now and realize all of the things we didn’t know then about making wine.”

What started with 5 gallons of Pinot Noir and a Portland basement has grown to over 500 cases of wine and a family wine farm in Newberg, OR.

“I love how much I learn every year and with every new harvest. I am a constant student and sponge for information. I read about wine, talk to other winemakers, drink other people’s wines and try to understand how that winemaker got there, watch YouTube videos that other winemakers put out, and soak up everything I can get. My understanding of winemaking changes daily, and I literally can’t get enough of it.”