In the mid-1980s, Tony Soter began working as a consulting winemaker in the Napa Valley, assisting luminaries such as Araujo, Niebaum-Coppola, Shafer, Spottswoode, Viader and Dalla Valle. In 1982, he established his own winery – Etude – where he focused on Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon of noteworthy caliber and artisan focus. After years of mentoring and encouraging some of Napa Valley's most respected growers and winemakers, he ended his consulting roles to focus exclusively on Soter Vineyards and his family in the Willamette Valley of Oregon. The Soter's sole Estate vineyard today, Mineral Springs Ranch, is a 240-acre savanna-like oak woodland and grazing land located in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA. It is the home to 30 acres of Pinot Noir originally planted in 2002. Two acres of Chardonnay were included in the 2006 plantings and are devoted entirely to method champenoise sparkling wine production. Located just east of the town of Carlton, the ranch is perched on a mesa with gentle slopes and commanding views of the surrounding Yamhill-Carlton District. Our production facilities and hospitality buildings are here as well, allowing us complete control of all operations.
Farming Practice:Practicing Organic
Wine Enthusiast 91 Editor's Choice "Part of the Soter Vineyards portfolio, Planet Oregon offers sustainably farmed, value-priced wines, with a portion of the profits benefitting the
50e
Oregon » Eola-Amity Hills
Wine Advocate 92 "The 2012 Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Noir includes 30% whole-cluster fruit and is aged in 25% new French oak, 75% use barrels. It has
Soter 'Origins McMinnville' Pinot Noir 2012 - 2 bottles Soter 'Origins Eola-Amity' Pinot Noir 2012 - 2 bottles
11dOregon » Willamette Valley
Wine Enthusiast 93 WE TOP 100 2019 Rank 44 Editor's Choice "North Valley is the blended, midpriced tier of the Soter portfolio, and it overdelivers in every way.
Wine Enthusiast 92 Editor's Choice "North Valley is the blended, midpriced tier of the Soter portfolio, and this widely available wine should find a place on the
50bOregon » McMinnville
Wine Spectator 91 "Vibrant purple plum and blackberry flavors play against grippy tannins in this sleek, open-textured and refined Pinot. The elements come together seamlessly on
Vinous Media 94 "Glistening magenta. Displays expansive, spice- and mineral-accented red/dark berry preserve scents that take on incense and lavender flourishes with air. Juicy, seamless and
87dOregon » Yamhill-Carlton District
Wine Enthusiast 93 Editor's Choice "This blend of estate-grown Pinot Noir and 9% Chardonnay delivers a stunning wine. Strawberry shortcake, almond croissant, brioche and a splash
Soter Vineyards 'North Valley' Pinot Noir 2017 2 bottles Soter Vineyards 'North Valley' Chardonnay 2017 2 bottles
Soter 'Mineral Springs Ranch' Pinot Noir 2016 Soter 'Mineral Springs' Brut Rose 2014 Soter Vineyards 'North Valley' Chardonnay 2017 Soter Vineyards 'North Valley' Pinot Noir 2017
Vinous Media 92 "Light bright orange. Vibrant and sharply focused on the nose, displaying intense red berry, orange zest and floral scents and a smoky mineral
James Suckling 98 JS TOP 100 Rank 46 "Tons of pressed violets and lavender as well as blueberries, plenty of herbs, cedar, almonds and acacia come through
James Suckling 93 "This pinot noir shows such energy with cherries, blueberries and blackcurrants. Full body, silky tannins and a mineral and vibrant finish. What a
Stephen Tanzer 92 "Vivid ruby-red. Sexy, highly perfumed aromas of redcurrant, cherry, floral oils and minerals. At once silky and penetrating, offering vibrant red
Vinous Media 92 "Brilliant red. Extremely fresh, sharply focused nose displays an array of red fruit and floral qualities and a zesty mineral overtone. Lithe and
James Suckling 98 Top 100 2016 # 25 "Terrific aromas of strawberries and rose petals with superb energy and vibrance. Full body, incredible power and depth
James Suckling 91 "This offers ripe and juicy strawberries and cherries and some violet and chocolate nuances on the nose. The palate is long and plush,
"Beautiful, medium rose color with noteworthy clarity. A fine bead in the glass is pronounced, with aromas of cranberry, huckleberry and baked apple at
Robert Parker 93 "Tony Soter has long made one of the finest Rose sparkling wines anywhere. The salmon pink 2006 Brut Rose, a blend of Chardonnay
Wine Advocate 93 "Rose petal and geranium fascinatingly mingle with scents of cherry and almond in the nose of Soter’s 2010 Pinot Noir Mineral Springs Ranch;
Robert Parker 93 "The 2009 Pinot Noir Mineral Springs is a 300 case bottling sourced from the tenderloin of the vineyard. More expressive and elegant than
Wine Spectator 95 "Vibrant and multilayered, offering black cherry, red plum, sassa- fras and dead leaf flavors on a long and silky frame. The gorgeous flavors
"The wine carries all of Cabernet Franc's signature plushness, a grape whose wines Rabelais once compared to taffeta. Billowing from the glass come savory, meaty
Robert Parker 95 "The 2008 Pinot Noir Mineral Springs is even better, coming as it does from one of the Willamette Valleys greatest vintages. Toasty oak
"'Little Creek' Vineyard is a 3-acre parcel of Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Cabernet Sauvignon surrounding the Soter home in Napa. This area is part of