The farmhouse that serves as our tasting room today was built in 1883 on the Rueter family homestead. The Rueter family had built quite a reputation by the 1880’s for their Klevner wine, and even won a gold medal at the St. Louis World’s Fair of 1904. (Klevner is a modern Alsatian term for Pinot Blanc and has also been known to refer to Chardonnay).
When Prohibition came to call, the grapevines planted by Rueter were removed and replaced with fruit trees and potato plantings. Fast-forward to 1965 when Charles Coury, a graduate of UC Davis, came to Northern Oregon as other early winemakers were arriving [David Lett – 1966, Dick Erath – 1968, Dick Ponzi – 1970, David Adelsheim – 1971] and planted what are now our oldest vines. Charles brought back root stock from Alsace and Burgundy, and cultivated these Pinot Noir clones on the property in Forest Grove. Coury also planted an assortment of Gewürztraminer, Sylvaner, Semillon, Pinot Blanc, and Riesling – most likely to prove his Master’s thesis on growing grapes in cooler climates – and these vines are still on the property today.
David Hill is named for the Frederick David family that once lived around Forest Grove. The hilly area was originally known as David’s Hill and prior to that, Wine Hill. When Charles Coury planted in 1965, the estate was known as Charles Coury Vineyards.
When Prohibition came to call, the grapevines planted by Rueter were removed and replaced with fruit trees and potato plantings. Fast-forward to 1965 when Charles Coury, a graduate of UC Davis, came to Northern Oregon as other early winemakers were arriving [David Lett – 1966, Dick Erath – 1968, Dick Ponzi – 1970, David Adelsheim – 1971] and planted what are now our oldest vines. Charles brought back root stock from Alsace and Burgundy, and cultivated these Pinot Noir clones on the property in Forest Grove. Coury also planted an assortment of Gewürztraminer, Sylvaner, Semillon, Pinot Blanc, and Riesling – most likely to prove his Master’s thesis on growing grapes in cooler climates – and these vines are still on the property today.
David Hill is named for the Frederick David family that once lived around Forest Grove. The hilly area was originally known as David’s Hill and prior to that, Wine Hill. When Charles Coury planted in 1965, the estate was known as Charles Coury Vineyards.
Our flagship wine, Estate Black Jack Pinot Noir, is a single-block (Block 21) and single clone (Coury clone) that comes exclusively from one of the 1965 Charles Coury plantings. The vines you see near our entrance are also Coury-planted Gewürztraminer, planted in the mid-1960's.
When former owners, Milan & Jean Stoyanov, purchased the property, they re-established its legacy by naming it David Hill Vineyards & Winery. The first David Hill-labeled wines were from the 2000 vintage. Today, David Hill Vineyards & Winery produces Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir, Muscat, as well as non-estate Tempranillo, and, our well-known Farmhouse Red blend.
When former owners, Milan & Jean Stoyanov, purchased the property, they re-established its legacy by naming it David Hill Vineyards & Winery. The first David Hill-labeled wines were from the 2000 vintage. Today, David Hill Vineyards & Winery produces Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir, Muscat, as well as non-estate Tempranillo, and, our well-known Farmhouse Red blend.
"It’s odd how a fancy for touring and tasting good wine and the spell of autumn light on a vineyard property
can turn a soon-to-be-retired lumber businessman into a vineyard owner. What began as a casual
‘good investment idea’ in 1992 evolved into a passion for maintaining the legacy of the Willamette Valley’s oldest Pinot Noir vines and nurturing wines that demonstrate their quality."
Milan Stoyanov - Former Owner
can turn a soon-to-be-retired lumber businessman into a vineyard owner. What began as a casual
‘good investment idea’ in 1992 evolved into a passion for maintaining the legacy of the Willamette Valley’s oldest Pinot Noir vines and nurturing wines that demonstrate their quality."
Milan Stoyanov - Former Owner
Jean and Milan Stoyanov began to work the land right away, restoring the farmhouse, tending the vineyard, and landscaping the gardens. They planted an additional 20 acres of Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, & Chardonnay, managed the tasting room, hosted weddings, and birthed the David Hill label in 2000. The results are consistent, award-winning wines that are produced by some of the oldest vines in the Willamette Valley and Tualatin Hills. The team today looks to the Stoyanov Family for leadership, friendship and the nurture of sharing wine with customers who become friends. The vision for David Hill revolves around a passion for excellent wine, a stewardship of the vines, and the legacy of place.