Birthplace of Oregon Pinot Noir
Where Old World Traditions Meet New World Wines
Oregon Wine Starts: Richard Sommer came to the Umpqua valley in 1959 and planted the first Vitis vinifera vines post prohibition in the State in 1961. Sommers is known as the father of Oregon wine and was the first to plant 34 different grape varieties in Oregon including Pinot Noir, what is now what Oregon wine is synonymous for. Richard was a pioneer in many ways; planting the first grapes in Oregon when no one thought it was possible, the first to have stainless steel tanks in Oregon, and doing many other firsts in Oregon wine. Many who would go on to continue developing Oregon wine passed through the doors at Hillcrest Vineyard including Patricia Green, the Ponzi family, and many more. He was an incredible viticulturist and the vines were his children.
The DeMara family purchased the winery from Richard in 2003 and made sure that Richards vision was not lost. The winery is now a state historical marker and there is a House Resolution recognizing what Mr. Sommers did for Oregon wine.
Dyson DeMara’s journey into wine began unexpectedly after meeting his wife, Susan. Early in
their relationship, Susan’s mother gave them a bottle of a 1979 Napa Valley Cabernet
Sauvignon — a bottle that would change the course of his life.
“One taste, and everything changed,” Dyson recalls. “It wasn’t planned, but the biggest things
that have happened in my life haven’t been planned. Wine chose me.”
Inspired by that moment, Dyson immersed himself fully in the world of wine. He went on to
work alongside some of the industry’s most respected names, including Gary Andrus of Pine
Ridge and Robert Mondavi at Robert Mondavi Winery. These domestic and international
experiences gave him the rare opportunity to learn directly from great teachers, shaping both
his technical knowledge and his lifelong respect for traditional winemaking or what he calls his
“Truth”.
After developing a small vineyard in the Atlas Peak District of Napa Valley, Dyson and Susan
made the decision to move their family to Oregon’s Umpqua Valley. While searching for the
right vineyard, Dyson worked with Richard Sommer, the Father of Oregon Wine, for several
years. Eventually, the DeMaras purchased HillCrest Vineyard with a clear purpose: to continue
Sommer’s pioneering legacy and help elevate the Umpqua Valley as one of America’s great
wine regions.
At HillCrest, Dyson and Susan brought both reverence and innovation to the historic estate.
They introduced concrete fermentation tanks and large European botti, while also becoming
the first to plant Teroldego and Schioppettino, amongst others,to the state of Oregon.
In 2014, the DeMara family was invited to celebrate the 900th birthday of Weingut Stift
Klosterneuburg, the oldest winery in the world. HillCrest was selected because of it history of
quality and innovation. Dyson, Susan, and their daughter Hanna represented HillCrest Vineyard
along side the other wineries representing the oldest wineries in Germany, Italy, France, South
Africa etc. We were honored to be the only participating winery from the United States — a
meaningful honor that reflected the family’s deep connection to the enduring art, history, and
tradition of wine.
1959
2003
2023
Hanna and Tucker DeMara join parents, Dyson and Susan to continue the family's winemaking legacy. Continuing to the third generation of winemaking at HillCrest Vineyard.
Hanna DeMara studied viticulture and enology at the University of Udine, Italy. She was one of the first two in her class to graduate in 2019. She has worked in Napa Valley at Saintsbury, Barolo at Giacomo Fenocchio, Patagonia at Bodega Chacra, the Mosel Valley at Winery Geschwister Köwerich, and the Umpqua Valley at Paul O'Brien.
Tucker DeMara has ben immersed in the DeMaras winemaking traditions since the age of three. Working in wine has always been second nature and a path that has continuously called him back.