SCHMIDT FAMILY VINEYARDS
We are a family operated vineyard and winery located in the Applegate Valley of Southern Oregon. Our three generation wine making family has been working since 2001 to make wines from the 20 varietals we have planted on our estate. These wines have been well received and have won many awards and accolades through the years including, “Editors Choice” from Wine Enthusiast, “Best of Class” from the San Francisco Chronicle, “Best of Show” from World of Wine, “Best in Class” from Oregon Wine Experience, “Best in Show” from the Lone Star International Wine Competition along with well over 100 gold medals and many other accolades.
THE VINEYARD
Great wine is made with great fruit. Our estate vineyard is on the fertile Kubli bench and is on a slight south facing slope. We currently have 45 planted acres of vineyard that include 20 different varietals. Our soil consists of loam and clay. We are a multigenerational family business and want to have something to hand to the next generation. To that end we utilize many sustainable practices like composting and mulching, mechanically cultivating and mowing the vineyard among other things. Southern Oregon is a great place to farm. The Applegate delivers all the key ingredients we need to have great fruit.
Our History
2000 Cal and Judy Schmidt bought the Bennett Ranch on the fertile Kubli Bench, located in the Applegate Valley.
2001 the first 15 acres of estate vineyard were planted, which were Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah. This was also when construction was started on the facilities that would become the Winery and Tasting room.
2004 we had our first harvest which made 300 cases of wine.
2005 We planted Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Zinfandel, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Tempranillo.
2006 We opened the round room as our first tasting room where we began selling the 2004 vintage.
2007 Our first harvest of white varietals. It was also the first year we made a dessert wine.
2008 Albariño and Pinot Noir were planted.
2009 we made our first Rosé.
2010 a new larger tasting room and winery were opened on the estate.
2013 Barbera was planted.
2014 Touriga Nacional was planted and a new wood fired pizza oven was opened in the tasting room.
2015 Case production had reached well over 6,000 cases annually. These were all still being sold exclusively through the tasting room.
2016 a new larger winery was built and the tasting room was expanded.
2018 Schmidt Family Vineyards wine began being distributed through Southern Oregon.
2019 Carménère, Grüner Veltliner, Nero d’Avola and Teroldego were planted.
2020 We made our first sparkling wine which was a sparkling chardonnay.
2021 We made our first White Pinot Noir.
2022 Grenache was planted.
2023 Muscat and Mourvèdre were planted. It was also the first year we made an amber wine.
Touriga Nacional
Cabernet Sauvignon
Tempranillo
Malbec
Syrah
Pinot Noir
Nero d'Avola
Teroldego
Merlot
Carménère
Mourvèdre
Barbera
Grenache
Grüner Veltliner
Muscat
Chardonnay
Viognier
Sauvignon Blanc
Pinot Gris
Albariño
Touriga Nacional Cabernet Sauvignon Tempranillo Malbec Syrah Pinot Noir Nero d'Avola Teroldego Merlot Carménère Mourvèdre Barbera Grenache Grüner Veltliner Muscat Chardonnay Viognier Sauvignon Blanc Pinot Gris Albariño
-
Cal & Judy early 2000's
CAL AND JUDY SCHMIDT - OWNERS
Cal Schmidt was born in Kansas. He grew up helping his father on a wheat farm with his 11 siblings. Later he moved to California where he met Judy who had just moved from the east coast. They got married and had 2 children. They started a successful commercial millwork shop in the bay area. While living in the bay area they began to grow an appriciation for food and wine. Cal began taking wine and viticulture classes from UC Davis. In 1992 they moved their family and the millwok business to Grants Pass Oregon. While in Oregon they graduated from Oregon State University both with a degree in business. Judy went on to get a Masters in family counseling. Cal wanted to get back into farming and pursue his love of wine so in 2000 they bought what is now Schmidt Family Vineyards. Cal has been a wine advocate in the area by serving on the board of AVVA and Asante founders board as well as founding the World of Wine also known as Oregon Wine Experience. Cal and Judy work day to day in the vineyard, winery and grounds with their daughter and 2 grandsons.
-
Cal & Judy, current