Portland-based winery promotes assistant winemaker to lead role
PORTLAND, ORE. (March 2, 2026) — Amaterra Winery, the acclaimed Portland-based winery and restaurant rooted in a “For the Love of the Earth” philosophy, today announced the promotion of Morgan White to Head Winemaker. White, who previously served as Assistant Winemaker and Production Manager, will now lead winemaking operations at Amaterra’s state-of-the-art, gravity-flow facility.
White’s journey into the wine industry began with a transformative experience in Mendoza, Argentina, that sparked a lifelong passion for wine culture. She holds a degree in Physiology and Kinesiology from the University of Florida and pursued winemaking studies at Chemeketa Community College. Her professional path has taken her from a harvest in New Zealand to the Oregon wine industry, where she served as Cellar Master for Apolloni Vineyards before joining the Amaterra team.
“Morgan has been an integral part of the Amaterra team and has demonstrated an exceptional ability to translate her passion and knowledge into wines that truly express our terroir,” said Marcus Breuer, co-founder and CEO of Amaterra. “Her creativity, precision, and deep commitment to quality make her the ideal person to lead our winemaking program as we continue to grow.”
In her new role, White will oversee all winemaking at Amaterra’s innovative gravity-flow facility, which uses a patent-pending bridge crane system and ballasted punch-down device to preserve the delicate characteristics of each wine. She’ll continue to develop Amaterra’s acclaimed portfolio of Willamette Valley Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, along with bold reds, crisp whites, and bright rosés that showcase the breadth of the winery’s program.
“The energy of harvest has always been my favorite part of the process—the decisions, the pace, and the way it all ultimately shows up in the glass,” said White. “I’m incredibly grateful for this opportunity and excited to deepen our expression of Willamette Valley terroir through Amaterra’s wines.”
White’s promotion comes as Amaterra continues to grow, with the 2025 opening of Amaterra Kitchen + Social Club at 909 NW Bond Street in downtown Bend, where guests can experience the winery’s signature wine program and culinary offerings in Central Oregon.
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About Amaterra
Meaning “For the Love of the Earth,” Amaterra Winery is a state-of-the-art winery, restaurant, and event venue set amid the tree-filled slopes of Portland’s West Hills. Just minutes from downtown Portland, Amaterra serves as a destination for residents and visitors alike, featuring a 12-acre vineyard, innovative gravity-flow winery, chef-driven restaurant, indoor and outdoor event spaces, as well as expansive valley views. Amaterra Kitchen + Social Club, which recently opened in Bend, Oregon, features a relaxed and evolving experience from wine tasting to full-service dinners that highlight seasonal, locally sourced ingredients and thoughtfully crafted menus. Amaterra’s restaurant was voted the #1 Best Restaurant in Portland (2025) by Portland Business Journal readers, Best Restaurants With Views in Portland, Oregon (2025) by Eater and Top Wedding Venue in Oregon (2024) by Oregon Wedding Day. With its wines receiving high praise from Wine Spectator, James Suckling, and other top critics, Amaterra has cemented itself as a leader in the fine wine industry. For more information, please visit: AmaterraWines.com.
