HillCrest Vineyard is announcing plans to accept an invitation from Austria’s Stift Klosterneuburg, the world’s oldest winery, to attend their gala wine tasting in celebration of the monastery and vineyard’s 900-year anniversary. Dyson DeMara, proprietor of HillCrest Vineyards, is announcing the winery’s acceptance of an invitation to be among the world’s most renowned vintners participating in Stift Klosterneuburg’s 900-year celebration. Founded in 1114, Stift Klosterneuburg has produced wine which makes it the oldest winery in the world. The invitation to attend the celebration was issued to only 14 international wineries and historical HillCrest Vineyard, is the only participating guest from the United States. Joining them will be vintners from Germany, Switzerland, Italy, France and Spain, to name a few. Wineries include Donnafugata of Italy, Bodegas de los Herederos del Marqués de Riscal from Spain, José Maria da Fonseca Vinhos, Portugal and Schloss Johannisberg of Germany. HillCrest will be presenting bottles of their 2006 Syrah “San Roc”, 2007 Cabernet Franc “NONIHC” and 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon “MASSIMO”. These wines will be presented at the “Master Class” tasting and gala dinner for International wine press. Located in the Umpqua Valley, Hillcrest is the site of the first planting of Pinot Noir in Oregon. Founded in 1961 by Richard Sommer, it is Oregon’s oldest estate winery (bonded winery #44). Sommer also released Oregon’s first Pinot Noir in the 1967 vintage. Dyson DeMara took over HillCrest Vineyard from Sommer in 2003. Today the winery produces 1,400 cases of wine available for tasting and purchasing in the winery’s tasting room, and by mail order to most U.S. states. Regarding the invitation and anniversary festivities, Dyson DeMara said, “We are humbled to have been selected from amongst the world’s most classic wine estates to participate in this historic event. Once again this recognizes the ground breaking achievements of our founder Richard Sommer, and he will be there in spirit as we pour wines from his legendary and pioneering plantings.”
