Oregon Winemaker Anne Ebenreiter Hubatch
written by Carrie Wynkoop of Cellar 503 | photos by Joshua Chang
How did a gal from Sheboygan, Wisconsin, become one of Oregon’s up-and-coming winemakers?
Growing up on the shores of Lake Michigan, Anne Ebenreiter Hubatch felt a deep connection to the land around her. In college, she studied geology with an eye toward becoming an environmental policy wonk. She started down that path as a political organizer and environmental activist.
But politics don’t often come with tangible results, and as Hubatch said, “It’ll drive you to drink!”
Soon enough, her passion for the land found its expression in her hands—as a winemaker. After several years working for well-known wineries in the Willamette Valley, Hubatch struck out on her own and launched her own label and her first vintage in 2009.
Once an organizer, always an organizer. In addition to her own labels, Whoa Nelly! and Helioterra, Hubatch has helped organized Guild, a cooperative of four Portland winemakers working together to make great wine.
The 1859 Wine Club will feature Helioterra Wines’ 2014 Dion vineyard Syrah.
Oregon Author: Susan Sokol Blosser’s new book, The Vineyard Years