Salem native brings two decades of wine experience to lead operations at top Oregon producer
June 12, 2024, Turner, Ore. (NASDAQ: WVVI, WVVIP) — Libby Spencer, a familiar and friendly face in wine industry circles spanning from Oregon and California to Massachusetts and back again, is the newly appointed Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Willamette Valley Vineyards, effective immediately. In this newly created role, Spencer reports to founder and CEO Jim Bernau. A former employee of Willamette dating back to 2004 and a current member of Willamette’s Board of Directors, Spencer has first-hand experience with the company’s growth trajectory and will oversee the day-to-day administrative, sales and operational functions of this leading producer of Oregon Pinot Noir.
As one of the top five largest wine producers in the state of Oregon, and also one of the state’s only publicly traded wineries, Willamette sources all of its grapes from 500 acres in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, from Forest Grove to the South Salem Hills. With 1,000 acres under vine, 10 tasting rooms in Oregon, Washington and California, and a slew of awards for its wines and sustainability programs, the role at Willamette offers a host of opportunities for Spencer.
“I couldn’t think of a better, more caring and kind person to lead our operations, given Libby’s experience with us as well as the knowledge she has gained internationally in wine,” said founder Jim Bernau. “This deep wine and winemaking knowledge, strong Oregon roots and desire to create and give back to the community she’s a part of make her stand out as the perfect choice for COO. After achieving national sales and technical leadership and retail and wholesale knowledge plus membership on our Board of Directors, her return as Chief Operating Officer equips us for continued, long-term growth opportunities for shareholders and employees alike.”
Spencer hopes to use this industry knowledge, paired with her sales expertise, to help Willamette continue to sustain growth.
Before joining Willamette, Spencer earned her communications degree from Portland’s Lewis & Clark College, with her wine career beginning shortly before graduation at Cristom Vineyards in the Eola-Amity Hills.
Spencer began working at Willamette Valley Vineyards in 2004 as the winery’s National Sales Coordinator, leaving in 2005 to open and operate a small wine bar in Western Massachusetts with her husband, Patrick.
She returned to Oregon in 2008 and was welcomed back to Willamette Valley Vineyards as the winery’s Sales Operations Manager. She oversaw all sales channels, including the wine club, tasting room, in-state sales and a robust distributor network.
Spencer sought to develop her technical winemaking expertise and spent the last 11 years at Enartis USA, one of the leading international players in the oenological market. Spencer also returned to school to study Enology at Washington State University.
Important in rejoining the Willamette team was familiarizing herself with the company’s charted course, so she dug into the winery’s strategic plan.
“This role was calling to me, and I feel like the past two decades in wine have led me to this place. However, I wanted to make sure it was the right move on paper, too,” she said. “I was impressed by the direction the company was headed,” said Spencer, and I knew the time was right to return to Willamette Valley Vineyards. It’s always been an elegant, dynamic organization, and it’s amazing to see how much growth the company has experienced in multiple directions. I can’t wait to give back to a business community that is an integral part of the Oregon wine industry.”
In her first months, Spencer hopes to wrap her arms around the expansion Willamette has experienced. Community is important to her, and fostering and guiding employee growth in spirit and knowledge and seeing them blossom have been the most rewarding aspects of her career that she wants to bring to Willamette. She sees herself working behind the scenes in operations, with Bernau remaining the face of Willamette Valley Vineyards and herself being rooted in the machinations of keeping a successful winery thriving.
“Like grapevines themselves, I see Jim as the greenery growing above the ground and myself as the taproot and underground structure of the business. You don’t see my role much, but it’s vital to the health of the vine.”
Born in Salem, Spencer is a sixth-generation Oregonian whose ancestors arrived via the Oregon Trail. She is deeply involved in her children’s education and the community of Salem at large. Libby is passionate about Oregon Pinot Noir and loves yoga, hiking, mountain biking, reading and enjoying the food and wine culture of the Pacific Northwest.
About Willamette Valley Vineyards
Founded in 1983 by CEO Jim Bernau with the dream of creating world-class Pinot Noir while serving as stewards of the land, Willamette Valley Vineyards has grown from a bold idea into one of the region’s leading wineries, earning the title “One of America’s Great Pinot Noir Producers” from Wine Enthusiast Magazine. In addition, all the vineyards have been certified sustainable through LIVE (Low Input Viticulture and Enology) and Salmon-Safe programs. With 1,000 acres under vine, Willamette farms its Estate winery in the Salem Hills, sparkling winery Domaine Willamette in the Dundee Hills, pioneering Tualatin Estate Vineyard near Forest Grove and Elton Vineyard in the Eola-Amity Hills. The winery has expanded in recent years to include 10 tasting rooms in Oregon, Washington and California – growth made possible by the stock ownership of many wine enthusiasts.
