Rollin Soles steps down as winemaker for Argyle, enologist Nate Klostermann steps up to take his place.
Rollin Soles isn’t just a winemaker — he is a Oregon wine landmark. Eccentric and opinionated, the tenured Argyle Winery vintner and Willamette Valley pioneer located the winery’s optimal site in Dundee, Ore. 27 years ago and has now selected his successor, Argyle’s enologist Nate Klostermann.
The 31-year-old Klostermann came to Argyle in 2005 to work the harvest, with a bachelor’s degree in food science from the University of Minnesota and experience at a small winery in Red Wing, Minn. in his back pocket. The rest is Argyle history.
“There’s a real focus and drive to produce the best wines of sparkling, Pinot (Noir), Chardonnay and Riesling,” Klostermann notes of his predecessor’s winemaking program. “The biggest thing is to continue what Rollin has built. Living up to the standard we have already set is No. 1 but we are always trying to improve and learn the small techniques that make the wine better.”
The wines under Soles’ guidance were ranked among the “Top 100 Wines of the World” by the Wine Spectator 12 times, an exclusive title that Soles alone holds the bragging rights too. Although he plans to focus more on his independent label, ROCO Winery, Soles isn’t silently exiting Argyle. He will represent the winery in the market and continue to be a pivotal part of the blending and viticulture process.
Klostermann says he doesn’t expect to fill Soles’ shoes, but plans to maintain the already steadfast and renowned winemaking program.
“It’s a perfect situation to be able to learn from him, from his winemaking opinion to all other aspects of life,” Klosternmann says. “It’s been a super big learning period for me… a huge bank of knowledge and wisdom that he has passed down.”
About Argyle Winery
Since 1987, Argyle Winery has produced world-class methode champenoise sparkling wine, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, all made from 100-percent estate fruit from low yielding vines on winery farmed hillside slopes. Argyle was named “Oregon’s Premier Winery” by Wine Spectator in 2000, they also gained certification as an Oregon Certified Sustainable Wine® in 2007 and is certified LIVE and Salmon Safe. Visit www.argylewinery.com for more information.
