New Oregon Winery Releases 2021 Vintage, Bottles 2022 Vintage, Plans Tasting Room Grand Opening for Spring 2024
November 7th – Newberg, Ore. — Family-owned Balsall Creek is the newest winery to open in Oregon, today launching its 2021 vintage, and announcing the grand opening of its tasting room in Spring 2024.
Located just north of the Dundee Hills in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, Balsall Creek was founded by Jon and Lesli Owens, who recently purchased 35 acres of bucolic farmland within the Chehalem Mountain AVA. Both Jon and Lesli’s families span multiple generations in Oregon, descending from a long line of farmers in the Willamette Valley. Jon’s great, great, great grandparents moved west on the Oregon Trail in 1850, settling in what was then the Oregon Territory, just north of the Chehalem Mountains and only miles from where the Balsall Creek vineyard is today.
“We have long been admirers of the Oregon wine industry and I’ve been exploring opportunities in Oregon wine for almost 20 years,” said Jon Owens. “Now that I have retired from my longtime career as an executive for a global manufacturing company, I am truly excited to finally have the time to devote to making my family’s dream a reality. Today’s official launch of our brand is a monumental occasion for us, and we cannot wait to bring wine lovers in Oregon and beyond an incredible experience through both our wine and our tasting room.”
Balsall Creek is focused primarily on producing exceptional quality Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines, but also cultivates an array of unique grape varietals which include Gamay Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Aligote and Pinot Meunier. In addition to releasing the 2021 vintage, they also just bottled the 2022 vintage.
As a multi-generational family business, Jon and Lesli’s son James Owens, their daughter Emily Yensen, and their son-in-law, Zac Yensen, all play active roles in the company and will share in its ownership. The family has long been inspired by the Oregon wine culture, and through their global travels, have found a shared passion for interesting and exceptional wines. Through the years and through their travels, the family grew a great appreciation for both how wine is produced around the world and how fortunate they are in Oregon to have an amazing world-class wine region in the Willamette Valley.
“As a parent, you always want your children to do what’s best for them, and to follow their own passions,” said Lesli Owens. “We are absolutely lucky to have children who not only agreed to be a part of our Balsall Creek venture, but were so enthusiastic to take part and be active in the day-to-day operations and make the winery thrive for generations to come.”
With special attention to sustainability and preserving the environment, Balsall Creek is committed to using organic farming practices. The vineyard is both Live Certified and Salmon Safe Certified, dry-farmed and hand-harvested, and is currently producing solar energy with a goal to produce more than the winery operation consumes. The Owens family works throughout the year with their winemaker, Laurent Montalieu, to design and execute truly exceptional wines.
Balsall Creek is now accepting club memberships and just recently began selling wine direct on their website. More information can be found here. There is also currently an amazing opportunity to join the Founders Circle for the first 100 members.
To learn more about Balsall Creek and its full line up of wines, as well as more information on the tasting room opening, please visit balsallcreek.com.
About Balsall Creek
Balsall Creek Founders Jon and Lesli Owens have deep roots in Oregon, spanning several generations in the state. In 1850, Jon’s great, great, great grandparents moved west on the Oregon Trail, settling in what was then the Oregon Territory, just north of the Chehalem Mountains, mere miles from where the vineyard is today. Both Jon and Lesli’s families have a strong history of farming in the Willamette Valley, it is no wonder their vineyard thrives here. The vineyard is located just north of the Dundee Hills in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, Balsall Creek is situated on 35 acres of bucolic farmland within the Chehalem Mountain AVA. Balsall Creek focuses primarily on producing exceptional quality Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines but also cultivates an array of unique grape varietals which include Gamay Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Aligote and Pinot Meunier. With special attention to sustainability and preserving the environment, Balsall Creek is committed to using organic farming practices: being both Live Certified and Salmon Safe Certified, dry-farmed and hand-harvested, and currently producing solar energy with a goal to produce more than we consume. Find more info at BalsallCreek.com.
