Wine Enthusiast honors Stoller Wine Group president for influential industry impact
September 10, 2025 (Dayton, OR) — Wine Enthusiast has named Stoller Wine Group President, Gary Mortensen, as one of five distinguished nominees for its 2025 Wine Star Awards in the Executive of the Year category, the only leader representing Oregon. This recognition celebrates the industry’s most visionary and influential leaders, underscoring the impact of Mortensen’s work at Stoller Wine Group.
When Mortensen joined Stoller Family Estate in 2012, late founder Bill Stoller posed a bold challenge: scale the business and build a brand designed to thrive for 200 years. Over the past decade, Mortensen has not only met that challenge but transformed the company into one of the Pacific Northwest’s most dynamic and innovative wine organizations.
With a background spanning wine, technology and filmmaking, Mortensen has cultivated a culture of innovation rooted in storytelling, marketing and branding. He established a nationally recognized visual storytelling department, whose award- winning documentary The Art of Pairing highlights the creativity at the heart of Stoller Wine Group. His approach to marketing wine shifts the focus from prestige and exclusivity to accessibility and hospitality by creating an environment where wine fits seamlessly into everyday life.
Under his leadership, annual production has grown from 9,000 to more than 300,000 cases across five brands. He expanded the team from 13 to over 220 employees and grew planted acreage from 160 to more than 800 across six estate properties. Mortensen guided strategic acquisitions, including Chehalem Winery and Elouan, alongside significant investments in winery and warehouse infrastructure, tasting room expansions, satellite wine bar locations, and culinary programs.
This vision has delivered impressive results: 47% growth in depletions, 31% growth in shipments, and consistent direct-to-consumer expansion. Stoller Wine Group has earned nine consecutive “Most Admired Winery” honors from the Portland Business Journal, secured a place on the USA Today 10Best Tasting Rooms list for nine years, and recognized a one of The Oregonian’s Top Workplace for two consecutive years.
“I’m proud to be nominated, but the credit goes to the incredible people behind the Stoller Wine Group,” said Gary Mortensen. “Bill Stoller urged us to think in centuries, not years, and we’ve embraced that challenge by creating a culture of innovation and leadership that’s evolving the wine business in today’s shifting landscape. I’m humbled I get the privilege to guide Bill’s vision forward.” His nomination as Wine Executive of the Year reflects both his commitment to Bill Stoller’s 200-year vision and his belief in leading with accountability, humanity, and purpose. Winners of the 2025 Wine Star Awards will be announced later this year and honored at the black-tie gala in January 2026.
About Stoller Wine Group
The Stoller Wine Group has earned a reputation as one of Oregon’s most dynamic family of wineries by thinking and acting differently than our peers. Our success begins with a bold vision to build a company that will last for 200 years, set by our late founder and Dayton, Oregon native, Bill Stoller.
Founded in 1993, our collection of family-owned brands includes Stoller Family Estate, Chehalem Winery, Chemistry, Stoller Swing, History, Elouan, and Canned Oregon. We take pride in our B Corp, LIVE, and Salmon-Safe certifications, knowing that we back our values with actions when it comes to our commitment to our land, wines, and community. With every step forward, we are building a lasting impact on the wine industry and the world. Home to the world’s first LEED Gold-certified winery, our dedication has led us to be perennially honored as one of Oregon’s most admired companies by the Portland Business Journal, 10Best Tasting Rooms by USA Today Readers’ Choice, and 2023 & 2024 Top Workplace recipient by The Oregonian.
For more information and our commitment to crafting world-class wines sustainably, please visit our website at stollerwinegroup.com.
About Wine Enthusiast
Wine Enthusiast Companies is a Certified B Corporation and the ultimate source of innovation and information around wine. Founded in 1979 by Adam and Sybil Strum, the family-owned company is composed of Wine Enthusiast Commerce and Wine Enthusiast Media. Wine Enthusiast Shop provides premium wine-lifestyle products, reaching millions of consumers globally via direct mail, an e-commerce site, and a business-to-business division. Wine Enthusiast magazine is an award-winning print publication and online resource that showcases wine news, food trends, and more than 25,000 ratings and reviews annually. Wine Enthusiast events include the annual premier Wine Star Awards gala. In 2024, the company launched a travel division, which includes the Tasting Room Directory and Cork+Compass Travel. Together, Wine Enthusiast Companies is the indisputable hub for everything wine. We bring wine to life.
About Wine Enthusiast’s Wine Star Awards
Each year, Wine Enthusiast celebrates the most influential members of the wine, spirits, and beverage world at the annual Wine Star Awards. This year marks the 26th anniversary of honoring the individuals and companies that make outstanding contributions to the industry. There are 16 categories for the 2025 Wine Star Awards. Four of the categories will have a named winner. The other 12 categories include a list of nominees exemplifying dedication and innovation to the success and growth of the wine, spirits, and beverage sector. The nominees were nominated by members of the Wine Enthusiast media team, including the global sales, events, marketing and editorial divisions. The 2025 Wine Star Award winners will be honored at the 26th annual black-tie gala in January 2026.
