September 4, 2025 (McMinnville, OR) — Blackbird Vineyard Services and Century Vineyards are proud to be featured in a recent Portland Business Journal article by Pete Danko exploring the evolving vineyard management landscape in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. The article highlights how independent, locally rooted companies are stepping up to provide growers with flexible, sustainable, and cost-conscious solutions in today’s challenging grape market.
As larger companies consolidate and competition narrows, Blackbird Vineyard Services and Century Vineyards stand out by offering personalized vineyard care, sustainable solutions, and locally informed strategies. Their teams are committed to helping vineyard owners navigate industry challenges with a grower-first approach—offering customized plans and services tailored to each client. Both companies offer a variety of management practices, including Organic, Biodynamic, Regenerative and other sustainability certified practices, all focused on producing top quality fruit for the Oregon wine industry. Additionally, Blackbird Vineyard Services offers state-of-the-art machine harvesting for efficiency and scale.
“Our strength as independent vineyard managers lies in being flexible, connected to our community, and committed to farming practices that protect the future of Oregon wine,” says Blackbird Vineyard Services Co-Owner Sam Stetser. “Every block, every vine, and every grower is unique—and that’s exactly how we approach vineyard care.”
Century Vineyards echoes this commitment, emphasizing that locally-focused, independent providers can deliver tailored, nimble solutions that larger consolidated firms often cannot. “My favorite part of vineyard management is walking sites, working closely with crews, and chatting with clients to achieve their goals,” says Century Vineyards founder Evan Bellingar. “Having a small footprint and local focus helps us do just that.” Together, both companies represent a growing trend toward localized expertise, sustainability, and collaboration in the Willamette Valley.
The rise of independent vineyard service providers like Blackbird Vineyard Services and Century Vineyards signals a new chapter for Oregon wine that mimics the region’s origin—one built on community, collaboration, stewardship, and innovative, grower-first practices.
Read the full article in the Portland Business Journal: https://lnkd.in/gGSaw8hJ
About Blackbird Vineyard Services
Blackbird Vineyard Services is an independent vineyard management company proudly rooted in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Focused on excellence and innovation, Blackbird Vineyard Services partners closely with growers to provide personalized vineyard care that emphasizes resilience, quality, and long-term success. Through regenerative agriculture and sustainable farming practices, the team supports vineyards in thriving today—and for generations to come. For more information, visit www.blackbirdvineyardservices.com.
About Century Vineyards
Century Vineyards is a premier vineyard management company located in the Willamette Valley, Oregon, owned and operated by vineyard and winery veterans Evan and Kim Bellingar. The company specializes in a customer-focused approach, providing tailored vineyard management services that combine traditional viticulture practices with modern technology and a variety of sustainability initiatives and certifications to enhance vineyard productivity and sustainability. For more information, visit www.centuryvineyards.com.
