6 Questions with... Gary Horner of Erath Winery

With a background in Pharmacy Science, he left his first career behind in 1988 and moved his family to the Willamette Valley in Oregon to make wine.  Between then and 2003, when he joined Dick Erath in Dundee, he held numerous posts at various wine establishments and even created his own wine label, Destiny Vintners.  Now at Erath, he is the winemaker for the company that pioneered Pinot Noir in Oregon.  But what does the man drink at home?

What would you do if you weren't in the wine trade?
Probably still practicing Clinical Pharmacy 

What was the best wine you have ever made, and what is the worst?
2006 La Nuit Magique Pinot noir was the best, 1986 Washington Cabernet Sauvignon (made as an amateur winemaker in my garage) was the worst.

Describe yourself in three words.
Tall, sensitive, confident.

Aside from your own wines, what do you like drinking on a regular basis?
Crisp and tropical New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, Barrel fermented Oregon Chardonnay (Chehelem & Adelsheim) made from Dijon clones, 2005 Canoe Ridge Merlot, 2006 Canoe Ridge Chardonnay.

What is next for Gary Horner?
Tomorrow!  

Name three people, real or fictional, living or dead, that would be guests at your dream dinner party, and what would you be drinking?
Albert Einstein, Bill Horner my deceased father and my wife Sarah.  Not necessarily in order of importance.  If the party was today we would be drinking 1998 Argyle Extended Tirage Sparkling wine, 2006 Erath Oregon Pinot Blanc, 2006 La Nuit Magic Pinot Noir, 2006 Soter Mineral Springs Pinot Noir, 2006 Spring Valley Uriah Red Blend, 2005 Col Solare Red Blend & 2008 Erath Pinot Blanc Late Harvest.

Erath Winery Website

With thanks to Stratford's Wine Agencies

Previous 6 Questions with
Geoff Hardy
Ernst Loosen
Dan Aykroyd
Paul Draper
Dan Connolly
Sir Cliff Richard

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