Our Story

Having labored at making highly acclaimed wines for over a decade in the Santa Rita Hills of California’s Central Coast, Colin Kress sought a means to make his own wine. Colin’s mother Margaret and her husband Tom Patterson were ready for an adventure out west.

Inspired by Colin’s passion for winemaking and a love of the land, Colin, Tom and Margaret pooled their resources and moved to a small farm in southwest Oregon and created…...

Cascadia Vineyards & Winery!

Our Team

Colin Kress

*WINEMAKER/ PROPRIETOR*
Colin spent his childhood in Michigan and Ohio. At 17 he began his journey west in Tucson, Arizona. His passion for wine was sparked by his uncle, Christopher Leonard during the years he spent working at his Tucson restaurant, Nonie. Colin spent 10 years working in the industry as a server, bartender, and certified sommelier. He was once asked by a winemaker if he had ever considered getting into wine production and from that moment on the goal was set. He moved to Santa Barbara County, California to pursue the craft of fine Pinot Noir in the Santa Rita Hills AVA. He climbed the ranks from Cellar-hand to Head Winemaker in a mere 4 years and stayed another 7 collecting numerous 90+ point accolades at Babcock Winery. The knowledge and experience that he mastered there gave him the tools and confidence to start his own label.

Margaret Patterson

*ADMINISTRATIVE / CREATIVE SUPPORT*
Margaret’s from the Midwest and has lived in large cities in the southern and eastern US. After exploring Washington, Idaho, Oregon and California, the location looked right for a new adventure. Joining forces with husband, Tom and son, Colin, she made the decision to be part of a family-based farming and winemaking business.

NhqvEvU6TAOIei0hVI%FnA.jpg — Tom Patterson

*ACCOUNTANT / BUSINESS MANAGER*
Tom has looked for an opportunity to move out west since he was young. Tom found Colin’s passion for winemaking to be infectious, coupled with Tom’s own desire to work the land and help the business succeed. Tom’s love of wine gives him an opportunity to take part in producing a product he is proud of and truly loves.

“Winemaking is a series of problem solving.”

— Colin

“Life should be an adventure you put your heart and soul into, only to be amazed at where it takes you.”

— Tom

“Life is short. It goes by so fast. I've lived in many places and have worked in many professions. We’ve been lucky and healthy enough to pursue a new life in southern Oregon. What an opportunity!”

— Margaret

A few words about Southwest Oregon:

We spent over two years looking for the right area to live and start our wine making venture. Options ranged from Idaho to Southwest Washington State, Northern California, and even Michigan, but we chose Southwest Oregon. To us it represents amazing balance and a certain richness. The mountain valleys in and around Grants Pass, Oregon, are a diverse set of micro-climates. We love the beauty of the Applegate Valley. Here it is not as hot as the valleys of California, not as cold as Willamette and Columbia, just the right distance from the Ocean. The soil is especially rich: loamy, rocky, full of river sediment and a dusting of volcanic ash. The air is fresh and the nights are cool. Fantastic terroir! Wonderful for grape vines, and a beautiful place to call home. We find like-minded vintners and winemakers who have a vision of what this unique place in the world can produce ~ truly great wine!