David Adelsheim

Say hello to the Godfather of Oregon Pinot Noir.

Having opened the Adelsheim Vineyard in 1971, David is one of the Oregon’s first wine pioneers. A former winemaker, vineyard manager and sommelier, he’s been instrumental in developing Oregon’s highly revered Pinot Noir varietals. He also helped establish the Oregon Wine Board and the Yamhill County Wineries Association, a role that would cement his reputation as one of the leading figures in Oregon’s burgeoning wine industry and earn him the Oregon Wine Board’s coveted 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award.

After faithfully serving as the Director of Adelsheim Vineyard for nearly five decades, David sold the winery in 2017, a move which would allow him to devote more time to helping Oregon’s wine industry flourish. You can find him living in Oregon today, working as an advisor for Adelsheim and reveling in the beauty that is the Pacific Northwest.

With a background in experimental winery from the Lycée Viticole in Beaune, France, David’s knowledge of both French and Oregon wines is extensive. We think he’s the perfect guide to help us navigate the many exciting varietals in Burgundy, and we know you’ll come to feel the same.

Why We Love David

An educator with a curious mind and the heart of a scientist, David’s relentless pursuit of excellence makes him our favorite pioneer, that daring figure who isn’t afraid to lead the way. It’s a philosophy that inspires us to stay curious and constantly seek out new experiences.

From Vine To Table

David’s love of nature is boundless, a wave of feeling that extends to his love of the grape to its terroir. Here is a man whose heart belongs to the land, a good camper who follows the golden rule, taking great care to leave the land in better shape than he found it. It’s a commitment to honoring the land, a fact that’s reflected in Adelsheim’s success as a certified sustainable winery.

A Methodical Approach

Making good wine is an a unique challenge, a process that’s as methodical as it is creative. Such is David’s love of the humble grape, a devotion to craftsmanship that allowed him to persuade Dr. Bernard at ONIVINs in France to share his Chardonnay and Dijon Pinot Noir clones with Oregon. He’s also worked with the University of California, Davis campus to research the best ways to import new grapevines to the US, catalyzing the importation of clones from the ENTAV-INRA research program.

3 Reasons to Travel with David Adelsheim

Despite all his success, David remains humble, a man with an unshakeable sense of good humor and a warmth that radiates from his very soul. Having helped establish the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development in 1973, he’s a long standing spokesperson and sustainability champion that’s brought Oregon wines to the forefront of American viticulture. We like to think of him as one of Oregon’s guardian angels, a good steward who’s as devoted to caring for the land as he is to the people who live on it.

1. He’s always on the lookout for the next big adventure.

As one of the first winemakers to take root in Oregon soil, David’s got faith in his convictions and isn’t afraid to tread new terrain. His innovative spirit makes us want to try new things with abandon.

2. He’s incredibly passionate.

David’s been in the wine industry for nearly five decades because he loves what he does.

“We’re proud of our role in Oregon’s wine history. That’s why each day we strive to create remarkable Oregon Pinot noir and Chardonnay that connect wine lovers around the world to the spirit and beauty of Oregon,” he says.

3. His knowledge of wine is out of this world.

Here’s a man with a truly sophisticated palate. In addition to his work at Beaune’s Lycée Viticole, his studies have taken him all over the world. From Germany to the University of California at Berkeley and beyond, he’s an avid learner who can’t get enough of the good stuff.