April 3, 2023, Cave Junction, OR — One of Oregon’s most established wineries, Foris Vineyards in Southern Oregon’s the Rogue Valley AVA, will join Mitchell Wine Group’s portfolio of premier wines, effective immediately.
The family-owned Oregon winery, established in 1974 by Ted Gerber, has found like-minded symmetry with Mitchell that he and the team at Foris believe will help grow the winery in a solid and sound direction. “I really like the partnership I see growing with Mitchell and I’m excited to see the passions ignite our brand even more,” said Gerber. “They’re an Oregon family operation like us and Mitchell really seems to understand the agriculture and terroir and love of making excellent wines like we do. Giving our wines more exposure among other brands from around the world is exactly what Foris needs. I’m honored Foris will be placed on a global winemaking stage with Mitchell’s fine wines from Italy, Portugal, France and beyond.”
As one of the first vineyards in the Illinois Valley, Gerber didn’t have local grape-growing knowledge to glean when he bought his first acres in 1971— he is a self taught, hands-on type of grower. In 1977, when Oregon State University imported from France just a few dozen clones of Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, and Gewürztraminer, Gerber was one of six growers in Oregon to receive them. Located only a few miles north of the California border, Foris’ 200 planted acres (400 total) are made up of five ranches, with some of the buildings, including the main house and tasting room, literally built by hand by Gerber.
Winemaker Stephanie Pao has been at the helm of Foris wine production since 2017, and is Oregon’s first Chinese American female winemaker. She’s also one of the most studied, with a degree in molecular biology, as well as having studied viticulture and enology at UC Davis, and experience in vineyards and wineries in Oregon, Washington, California and New Zealand.
The Mitchell Wine Group was founded in 2004 by David Brown with the mission to be the best independent wholesaler of fine wine in the state of Oregon. Based in SE Portland and led by General Manager, Edwin Martinis, the distributor has seen significant growth over the last decade.
“The partnership we’re building with Foris has already proven beneficial,” said Martinis. “I have long enjoyed their wines and the price point of their wines, many under $20, make them attractive and punch well above their weight in wine circles. I am really pleased Foris has joined Mitchell Wine Group.”
The partnership between Foris Vineyards and Mitchell Wine Group pertains to all of Oregon. Foris wines can still be found at large local specialty retailers including Fred Meyer, New Seasons, Basics, and Market of Choice, as well as small wine shops like John’s Market.
About Foris Vineyards
Located just outside Cave Junction, Oregon, Foris is an agriculture based winery known for producing high quality, estate grown Alsace varietal white wines and Pinot Noir. Ted Gerber planted his first vineyard in 1975 and founded the winery in 1986. Today, Foris has 200 acres of estate vineyards at five different sites within a few miles of the winery. Foris wines are distributed in 44 states, Calgary, Toronto and Japan.
