Anne Amie Vineyards

Anne Amie’s owner is Dr. Robert Pamplin; its winemaker, Thomas Houseman; and its grape grower, Jason Tosch. The interplay between these three men is what distinguishes this winery. In 1999, Pamplin purchased Chateau Benoit with the goal of producing ultrapremium wines under a new label — Anne Amie Vineyards (named for his two daughters). Pamplin would require one lengthy entry in Who’s Who. He’s described as one of Oregon’s most forward-thinking philanthropists and businessmen, which is evident by just glimpsing his résumé: businessman, philanthropist, farmer, minister and author of 13 books, including two Book-of-the-Month Club selections. He has earned degrees in business, economics, accounting, education and theology. But that’s just a gnat’s eyebrow of his accomplishments; there’s simply not enough space here to note the many businesses he runs.

Following a dancing career that led him to New York City, Thomas Houseman’s interest turned to winemaking; his background includes stints at Husch Vineyards in California’s Anderson Valley, followed by winemaking positions Down Under at a number of New Zealand wineries, which led to his role as assistant winemaker for Ponzi Vineyards in Oregon. When the Anne Amie Vineyards winemaking opportunity presented itself, he jumped at it, bringing his passion for pinot noir with him.

Jason Tosch, winegrower extraordinaire, got his degree in horticulture from Oregon State University and, like Houseman, worked at Ponzi Vineyards for two years prior to taking on the challenge of nurturing Anne Amie’s many vineyards. Tosch’s goals were to employ more sustainable practices in the vineyard. To that end, he’s succeeded in obtaining both LIVE and Salmon Safe certifications for Anne Amie Vineyards.

I encourage all WineTrail enthusiasts, when visiting Anne Amie Vineyards, to take a just-purchased bottle or glass of Anne Amie wine and retreat to the outside deck. There, you can gaze over the magnificence of the vineyard below and the Coast Range to the west. Quite likely, your wine of choice will be the winery’s flagship pinot noir. As you sip your pinot, just remember that it was the symbiosis, of owner, winemaker, and grape grower that brings you this pleasurable, memorable moment.