The winery honors the contributions of female leaders within winery and vineyard operations by hosting events through the month of March and April 2025
SALEM HILLS, Ore., March 20, 2025— Women are a driving force behind every great winery, and Willamette Valley Vineyards has some notable examples to share during Women’s History Month this year.
First, Jan Bernau is a leader in staff development at Willamette. She served as the Human Resources Director from 2009-2013, then transitioned into her current role as Special Projects Manager. Her expert navigational skills were critical remodeling projects and in building the sparkling winery Domaine Willamette in the Dundee Hills in 2022. Bernau, wife of Founder Jim Bernau, brings wisdom, passion and a global perspective to her role at Willamette.
Second, fifth-generation Oregonian and premium winegrower Betty O’Brien and her husband Dick planted Elton Vineyard in the Eola Amity Hills. Her father, Elton Ingram, grew blackcap raspberries on the land and sourced them to Dr. Pepper, which at the time was a crucial flavor ingredient in the soft drink. After receiving a master’s degree in journalism at Northwestern and an MBA from Willamette University, Betty served as the Executive Director of the Santiam Girl Scouts.
Inspired by steep German vineyards and exquisite wines the family enjoyed along the Rhine, Elton turned over five acres of farmland to his daughter and son-in-law, who promptly planted Pinot Noir, Müller-Thurgau and Chardonnay in 1983. When the O’Briens retired from actively farming the vines in 2007, they leased their vineyard to Jim Bernau. This paved the way for the establishment of Elton Wines in 2015 and gave the couple more time to create their garden on the property. A trust established by Dick and Betty O’Brien bequeaths the proceeds of their property upon their passing to Oregon State University and Chemeketa Community College, to underscore the strength of the schools’ viticulture programs.
Finally, Sadie Drury is the vineyard manager of Pambrun Vineyard, which grows fruit for the winery’s boutique Pambrun label. The vineyard is located on the Oregon side of the Walla Walla Valleys’ Seven Hills Vineyard, where Drury is the vineyard manager and viticulturist. She is the first woman to hold the position of Board Chair for the Washington State Wine Commission and was named “Grower of the Year” by Washington Winegrowers in 2021. Although she’s part of the new generation of Washington Wine industry leaders, Drury is a Walla Walla native with deep roots in agriculture.
On a related historic note, the Pambrun name extends back more than 200 years when Kitty Pambrun, of mixed European and Indigenous ancestry, worked alongside her husband Pierre to lead Fort Nez Perce in Walla Walla from 1832-1841, ushering in a time of peace to the trading post and Columbia Basin. Jim Bernau is the fourth great-grandson of Kitty and Pierre. He returned to his roots by acquiring vineyard land at Seven Hills Vineyard and establishing Pambrun and Métis wines.
Willamette has several ways to join in the monthlong celebration of Women’s History Month:
Willamette’s Estate in the Salem Hills is celebrating Elton Vineyard and wine pioneer Betty O’Brien at a Pairings Dinner on Saturday, March 22nd at 6:30 pm. Tickets are $150 per person or $135 for Members and Owners and include a $10 bottle credit. Pairings for the four-course dinner include 2022 Elton Chardonnay paired with savory roasted chicken thigh and 2022 Elton Pinot Noir paired with herb crusted salmon.
On April 5, Domaine Willamette will host an afternoon celebrating women in the Pacific Northwest wine industry, as featured in Wine Country Women of Willamette Valley & Walla Walla, written by Michelle Mandro. This inspiring book highlights 40 women and their significant contributions to wine.
The ticket includes a curated flight of five wines and four food pairings with an option to purchase a book and receive a $15 bottle credit. Special guests featured in the book include Jan Bernau, Betty O’Brien and Sadie Drury.
Finally, Willamette has curated a new limited four-bottle collection to support women in the wine industry. Chosen by several of Willamette’s female leaders, these wines are perfect for toasting National Women in Wine Day on March 25th, 2025.
About Willamette Valley Vineyards
Founded in 1983 by President 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 recently to include ten tasting rooms in Oregon, Washington and California — growth made possible by the stock ownership of many wine enthusiasts.
