Willamette Valley Domaine Eyes Continued Growth with Estate Programming and National Distribution
August 11, 2025 (Portland, OR) — Nicolas-Jay, the Willamette Valley winery founded by Jean-Nicolas Méo of Burgundy’s Domaine Méo-Camuzet and music industry entrepreneur Jay Boberg, announces the promotion of Kevin Schlachter to Estate Director. Schlachter joined the team in 2020 as National Sales Director and has since played a key role in the winery’s strategic growth. His promotion comes as the Domaine releases its 10th vintage this Fall.
In his expanded role, Schlachter will oversee all sales and marketing channels at Nicolas-Jay, including the tasting room, wine club, e-commerce, and national distribution via the three-tier system. He will manage the hospitality team and be responsible for aligning estate programming with national and international sales objectives.
Since joining Nicolas-Jay, Schlachter has driven national sales efforts and spearheaded expansion into new markets. His prior experience includes seven years as Regional Sales Manager at Kobrand Corporation, preceded by leadership roles at The Wine Group LLC and Young’s Market Company. He holds certifications from both the Society of Wine Educators and the Court of Master Sommeliers.
“As Nicolas-Jay continues to evolve our estate hospitality while growing national distribution, this new role creates a bridge between those two priorities,” said co-founder Jay Boberg. “Kevin has been instrumental in our expansion and brings a deep understanding of both market development and brand experience at the estate.”
Nicolas-Jay produces a barrel select Pinot Noir cuvée, L’Ensemble, along with five single-vineyard Pinot Noir bottlings, a Chardonnay blend called Affinités, and an estate Own-Rooted Pinot Noir. The winery and tasting room are located in the northern Dundee Hills AVA, set in a natural amphitheater surrounded by Douglas firs and Oregon white oaks. The 53-acre estate spans elevations from 450 feet to the top of the Dundee Hills and is planted to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
“With its connection to Méo-Camuzet in Burgundy, Nicolas-Jay is uniquely positioned as one of the Willamette Valley’s premier domaines,” said Schlachter. “It’s a privilege to help shape the next chapter of growth—both here at the estate and in key markets across the country.”
Nicolas-Jay wines are currently distributed in 24 states and exported to 20 countries including the United Kingdom, South Korea, Japan, Canada, Hong Kong, and France. At their estate in the Dundee Hills, Nicolas-Jay hosts tastings of current and library Willamette Valley wines, a special tasting of wines from Domaine Méo-Camuzet, a classic French breakfast experience called Le Petit Déjeuner, and a Chef Dinner Series that has featured talent from restaurants like Chez Panisse.
ABOUT NICOLAS-JAY
Nicolas-Jay is the story born from the longtime friendship of Jean-Nicolas Méo of the famed Domaine Méo-Camuzet, and visionary music entrepreneur Jay Boberg. After researching the region for years, in 2013, Méo and Boberg purchased Bishop Creek Vineyard in the Willamette Valley’s Yamhill-Carlton AVA, thereby launching them in the Oregon wine business. Nicolas-Jay’s regional cuvées are a thoughtful collection of single vineyards, and the winery has several single-vineyard Pinot Noirs: Bishop Creek, Nysa and Momtazi. Chardonnay was added to Nicolas-Jay’s offerings in 2017, both an estate bottling and a cuvée called Affinités. In 2019, Méo and Boberg purchased a 53-acre site in the Dundee Hills AVA, a location with some of the deepest Jory soils in the region, and began converting the existing barn to a winery and tasting room. In 2021, Nicolas-Jay planted its first vines on its estate vineyard and launched a new tasting room open to the public. Nicolas-Jay wines are distributed domestically and available in export markets, including Hong Kong and the United Kingdom. For more information, please visit nicolas-jay.com.
