Cliff & Allison Anderson
Proprietors / Winemakers
Cliff Anderson’s passion for winemaking began at 16, when he was inspired by an article in Scientific American. Now with more than 60 plus years of experience, his life is rooted in the family tradition taught by his grandfather, a pioneer in commercial organic farming over 100 years ago.
After moving to Oregon in the early 70’s, Cliff and his wife Allison planted their first vineyard on Mt. Scott in Happy Valley, Oregon. They quickly grew to better understand and appreciate the importance of site selection and relocated to the Dundee Hills in the late 1980s. They planted their vineyard in 1992 on a unique basalt landslide, with excellent drainage and steep slopes. It was was the perfect site for growing intensely flavored fruit. In addition to planting and farming this landslide vineyard, Cliff also played a key role in naming the Dundee Hills AVA.
Over the decades, Cliff has championed organic and dry-farming practices, and employed an old-world winemaking style – native yeast fermentations, gravity flow and extended barrel aging. Cliff’s version and dedication have significantly advanced the Willamette Valley’s standing as a world-renowned wine region and have made extraordinary contributions to the Oregon Wine Industry.
Rudy
Vineyard Manager
Rudy was one of the original Oregon vineyard workers over 40 years ago. He worked with Cliff & Allison to develop the site and plant Anderson Family Vineyard. At that time this site was the steepest vineyard in Oregon – “too steep, too rocky and too hard to farm.” Using old world farming and hand labor, Rudy skillfully carved out vineyard rows and terraces to create ideal growing conditions for vines to flourish.
Rudy was introduced to Anderson Family by our good friend, mentor, and Oregon Wine Pioneer Jack Myers. In the 1970’s, Jack re-discovered and developed “La Butte” near Champeog – probably Oregon’s first Pinot vineyard back in the 1800’s.
Rudy was the vineyard manager at Durant in the 1980’s. He also managed the installation of dozens of famous vineyards along Worden Hill Road.
