Bill Stoller was born and raised near the family turkey farm in Yamhill County, Oregon. He received a degree in business and economics from Pacific University, located in nearby Forest Grove, and an MBA from Portland State University.

When Bill and Cathy Stoller purchased the vineyard lands from a cousin in 1993, many considered it marginal farmland. But Bill recognized that the rocky, well-drained Jory soils, tight elevation band (300 to 650 feet) and southerly-sloped hillsides were ideal for growing wine grapes.

The Stollers were already involved in the wine world as co-owners of Chehalem. With the advice of Harry Peterson-Nedry (Chehalem co-owner), Patrice Rion (winemaker from Burgundy who has given us advice over the years), vineyard consultant Allen Holstein, and Joel Myers, they planted 10 acres each of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

Ever mindful of tradition, the Stollers took advantage of the experience of consulting viticulturalists, yet adapted many newer vineyard techniques to maximize the fruit quality.   Things have gone better than they hoped — 176 plus acres have been converted to vines (mainly Pinot Noir) and their first release of Stoller Vineyard wines was fall of 2003.

Outside of their involvement in the wine industry, Bill and Cathy's interests are playful and diverse. Bill's main addiction is sports. Although the prospect of participating in triathlons and marathons doesn't hold the attraction for him it once did, he still runs the Hood to Coast relay every year. He shoots hoops whenever possible with their twin teenagers, Kyle and Kenny, and has played twice in the World Masters Basketball Competition.

In addition to her duties at Express Employment Professionals, Cathy does the planning for vineyard/winery events and contributes a lot of her great talents to the Dundee Hills AVA. She enjoys keeping up with the two teenagers and four grandchildren, loves animals, and has a special fondness for horses.

The Stoller barn is home to a Tennessee Walking Horse, a Quarter Horse, and two miniature donkeys. The other horse worth mentioning doesn't require a stall. That's Amador, our Tasting Room show horse by Bill Drum — a provenance of found metal pieces.  

The Tasting Room is also shared with our pugs, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.   They have there own parcel of the winery where they lay there heads and play.