Chad Stock: The Quiet American Speaks Loudly in Oregon

4/14/17 -

Chad defies categorization, but I would single him out as the winemaker in Oregon that is pushing the boundaries of how the state's wines are perceived by the wine public and wine press. Chad's wine career started out quite conventionally --  harvest job at Rudd Wines (Napa Valley, CA), assistant winemaker at Antica Terra (Dundee, OR), consultant for Johan and Durant Vineyards (Willamette Valley, OR) -- before launching Minimus Wines, his proprietary label, in 2011.

Despite his formal wine education and winemaking background, Chad seems unfettered by American winemaking conventions, perhaps a reflection of his shuttling between native California and current home Oregon for winemaking stints, in addition to his wine education (Chad started as a business undergrad at the University of Oregon, but graduated with a degree in viticulture and enology from California's Fresno State).

Chad Stock is currenty winemaker and partner in Craft Wine Company, which markets Omero Cellars, Origin Wine Co., and Minimus Wines.  Omero Cellars focuses on Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Gris; Origin Wine Co. explores single vineyards with distinctive profiles within the Willamette Valley; Minimus is the exploratory label where no grape, AVA, or fermentation vessel is off the sorting table (pun intended).

The Minimus wines are non-repeating vinous experiments on various grapes, fermentation and maturation techniques. For example, his "Experiment #17" is a practical meditation on producing an Oregon sparkling wine similar to aged Cava; the Gruner Veltliner is attempt to produce an Austrian smaragd-style wine from Willamette Valley fruit; the SM2 (Viognier/Sauvignon Blanc) and "Black Locust" Syrah are explorations in co-fermenting varieties from Southern Oregon's Applegate Valley. They are certainly thought-provoking, but undeniably delicious.

Chad's hard work, inspiration, and desire to learn are readily apparent upon meeting in person. A quietly intense person in both the vineyard and the cellar, his unrelentling curiosity informs and drive his winemaking philosophy. At a recent in-store tasting, Chad had commented on his recent trip to London's Real Wine Fair; although he felt he was successful in promoting his wines to UK market, he mentioned he was most proud of his trans-Atlantic visit as a R&D trip to have met with many European winemakers that he respected and admired.

-Jonas Mendoza