Pete’s Mountain Vineyard & Winery

Story submitted by Pacific West Bank

Rooted in Heritage, Growing Together: Pete’s Mountain Vineyard & Winery and Pacific West Bank Celebrate Community and Craft

In the late 1850’s, Pete A. Weiss, an immigrant from Bastille, France found the perfect lot of land overlooking the sunny Willamette River Valley and had visions of a new life. Pete worked the land from sunup to sundown and brought forth Pete’s Mountain. There is a near perfect micro-climate, located above the confluence of the Tualatin and Willamette rivers, where the fog hangs heavy on fall mornings. Pete’s Mountain combines cool nights and warm days for ideal grape growing conditions, where they are able to craft premium wine due to the unique aspects of their terroir.
 
In 1998, Kristy and Mike Thayer purchased 20 acres on Pete’s Mountain, overlooking the beautiful Willamette Valley to build a family home. They planted 16 acres of Pinot Noir and named their first Pinot Noir wine after their oldest daughter. With the support of their community, they built a family business through word of mouth, quality service and hospitality, making beautifully balanced wines at a premium value price. Fast forward to 2024, they now grow and make seven different varietals of wine. They have farmed the land and made wine for 19 years, growing live certified sustainably farmed grapes. Today they sell over 40,000 bottles of wine annually. The wines are all named after family members; Kristina’s Reserve Pinot Noir, Haley’s Block Pinot Noir, Elijah’s Reserve Cabernet, Tristan’s Estate Syrah, Carson’s Reserve Chardonnay, Tommy’s Sauvignon Blanc, and Ceille’s Block Pinot Gris. They are incredibly proud that all four of their children are involved in the family business at Pete’s Mountain Vineyard & Winery.
 
They hold their wine makers in the highest regard and through an ardent process they align their values, hopes and dreams. Their philosophically believe that half of the quality wine making happens in the vineyard and the other half occurs at the winery. “You have to grow great grapes in order to make great wine.” Their winemakers oversee the growing process with their vineyard managers, constantly offering input regarding process and timing which directly influences the grape quality.
 
From harvest to release, each vintage and each varietal is nurtured and handcrafted into the best wine they can make. “We are blessed with bountiful vineyards and winemakers that care about each bottle. From vine to wine, to you.”
 
“It is a privilege and pleasure to serve the banking needs of Pete’s Mountain Vineyard and Winery,” says Pacific West Bank Senior Vice President Michele Baker. “As a community business bank, it is gratifying to see the growth and success of our clients, and to support their changing needs over the years. Mike and Kristy are wonderful stewards of their business and of the beautiful land and bountiful harvests they care for so deeply. We are proud to showcase their wines at our bank events and introduce them to other clients who are always excited to meet the people behind their well-known and loved wines. Mike and Kristy have welcomed our bank teams, Rotary and Chamber members, and so many local vendors and partners at their wonderful tasting room and event center, always happy to share the blessings of Pete’s Mountain with the community. “
 
“Working closely with Pacific West Bank has helped us grow our business,” said Kristy and Mike. “Their personal service and support have allowed us to continue to grow and prosper. Over the last ten years, Pacific West Bank has provided innovative strategies and guidance that have proven to be invaluable.”
 
“The future looks bright!,” Kristy and Mike added. “We look forward to continuing to share the magic of Pete’s Mountain Vineyard & Winery. We invite you to visit our vineyard and tasting room to experience our hospitality and enjoy some of the best wines in the Willamette Valley.”