A love of the land

How did a gal from Sheboygan, Wisconsin, grow up to become one of Oregon’s up-and-coming winemakers?

Growing up on the shores of Lake Michigan, Anne Ebenreiter Hubatch felt a deep connection to the land around her.

In college, she studied geology with an eye toward becoming an environmental policy wonk. She started down that path, as a political organizer and environmental activist.

But politics doesn’t often come with tangible results, and as Anne says, “it’ll drive you to drink!” Soon enough, her passion for the land found its expression in her hands – as a winemaker.

After several years of working for well-known wineries in the Willamette Valley, Anne struck out on her own and launched her own label and her first vintage in 2009.

Of course, once an organizer, always an organizer.

In addition to her own labels, Whoa Nelly and Helioterra, Anne has helped organized Guild, a cooperative of four Portland winemakers working together to make great wine.

As for her wines, Anne has said, “Mother Nature drives so much of what we produce, all we can do is shepherd her.”

That’s the love of the land shining through right there.