Oregon Wine Board recognizes individuals whose extraordinary dedication, inspiration and advocacy for the Oregon wine community span a personal lifetime
February 4, 2025, Dayton, Ore. — Bill Stoller, the visionary owner of Stoller Wine Group, has been honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Oregon Wine Board for his contributions that inspire and elevate the region’s standing. This recognition celebrates his ethos of authenticity, accessibility, and reverence for the land, which have guided Bill to adopt a 200-year vision through innovation, sustainable viticulture, and community-building.
Over the past three and a half decades, Bill has championed Oregon’s ability to produce world-class wine. His humble beginnings working on his family farm—now home to Stoller Family Estate and the Stoller Wine Group headquarters—led him to invest first in Ridgecrest Vineyards in the late 1980s and then Chehalem, a now storied Oregon winery. Since those initial steps, Bill has become a transformative force in the story of Oregon wine, from standing strong in support of Chardonnay by planting 10 acres in 1995, a time when most vineyards were tearing it out, to building the world’s first LEED Gold-certified winery, serving on countless industry committees and boards, and becoming an early adopter of the B Corp movement with his wine companies. Bill’s extensive travels to every great winemaking region across the world have fortified the international community’s appreciation for the excellence of Oregon wines. Bill’s relentless pursuit of quality and sustainability, accompanied by his personal involvement in the community, has paved the way for the growth and success of the Oregon wine community, serving as an inspiration to all.
Last year, Bill was awarded the prestigious Diploma of Honor by the Fédération Internationale des Confréries Bachiques, recognizing his exceptional contributions to the world of wine. The award has been bestowed upon a mere 26 recipients from 10 countries to acknowledge the personal commitment, support of wine brotherhoods, and promotion of the F.I.C.B.’s values.
“Being a part of the Oregon wine story has been one of the greatest privileges of my life,” said Bill Stoller. “Every time I pour a bottle of our wine, I share a piece of my home. I am grateful for the opportunity to help build our industry, making this honor all the more meaningful.”
Amidst the vibrant tapestry of the ever-changing wine industry, Bill’s continued faith and investment in Brand Oregon remains true. On March 27, 2025, Chehalem will open its new home at Chehalem Estate Vineyard, an exquisite 6,150-square-foot tasting room in the Willamette Valley’s Laurelwood District of the Chehalem Mountains American Viticultural Area (AVA). The tasting room marks a significant milestone in the winery’s journey, and guests will soon be able to savor the fruits of Chehalem’s labor with a view of the land where their wines were grown—a vision more than 30 years in the making.
