Okay, for any info regarding Cooper Mountain, the best way is to go directly to the website www.coopermountainwine.com
However, this page is to explain to you a little bit more about the crew, because if you drink a nice Pinot, you should always think about the people who participate in the winemaking.
No, the winemaker is not the only responsible to the birth of a wine.
In fact, there are plenty of factors that can have enough variables to change the quality/profile of a Pinot Noir.
1)the owner (Bob Gross for Cooper Mountain):
In order to own a winery in Oregon, you need to be a passionate person, or to be completely crazy. Sometimes, both.
Why crazy? Because if you want to make money, never own a winery. Never forget that we are dealing with something we do not control: the weather... Bad weather, bad grapes, bad wine, no money.
It means a typical owner of a winery is freaking out 300 days/year. It makes sense, he makes the checks...and he is a passionate.
2) The winemaker (me!!!)
That's usually a guy with a big ego (I am probably one). The winemaker is by definition a man full of doubts and self-confidence lower than the ocean level; this is the main reason for his big ego. The main problem is the winemaker listens too much to the people around him telling him, " Ohhhh, you are an artist". As a winemaker, I do not think so. Please, leave a comment about it! I need your feedback on this matter.
3) The Vineyard Manager (Gerry)
The indispensable person. Usually, the vineyard manager is a tough person. Likes outdoor activities for a big reason...He likes to run away from the winemaker and owner. He knows a lot and usually keeps his knowledge quiet! Humility is the main quality of this worker.
4) The Sales Manager (Susan for Cooper Mountain).
One of the nightmares of the winemaker... Asking me twice a day “When the Reserve will be ready? Tell me, tell me".
Anyway, the sales people are the king of a winery. That's a tough job!
Susan is kicking my ego big time and that's good to remind me that I am not making wine for myself.
5) the Bookkeeper (Tiffany)
5'0", full of energy, makes the checks, yells at me when I spend too much money. The bookkeeper is usually someone that you MUST like, no matter what!
6) the Marketing Person (Barbara).
Tough to deal with Marketing but easier than Sales. Marketers are the thinker and Sales are the action. Barb (her nickname) is great, young and guys...and she will be part of the future of the Oregon Wine business.
7) the Vineyard Crew
Quiet people, always on time, always on duty...no matter the weather conditions. The key people and also the spirit of the winery. These men and women work in the vineyard 95% of the time and the rest in the cellar. If you go to Cooper Mountain during the harvest, you will see them crushing the grapes, punching down, cleaning the tanks, moving barrels, filling them up...They do these jobs 7 days/week, 14 hours/day and with a smile....A great lesson of courage and dedication.
8) The cellar assistant (Mike)
Calm, a thinker, loves the wines. Mike does everything in the cellar and you can also meet him at the tasting room the Fridays. He knows about wine and he likes to talk about it. You should come this Friday :-).
9) the housekeeper (Concha)
One of the most patient people on earth. Do you know why? Because she cleans up my messy desk (full of empty and dirty glasses) twice a week.
10) the tasting room superman (Dave)
Dave is crazy about wine. He knows the job and the wines. A gentleman by nature with a touch of poet attitude. You will meet him on the weekends.
11) The Vine
Hey, that’s the big star!!!!!!!!!!!!
12) The weather
Our best friend and the worst enemy...The perfect antagonism! But, what can we do? Nothing. It means our job is to accept it.
13) The soil
This is the really big star. Without it, nothing will happen. I will develop the subject very soon but I will tell you at least one week before in order to prepare you for some big headaches. In conclusion, the soil study (agrology and pedology) is one of the more complex sciences used in Agriculture
By presenting the 13 stars of Cooper Mountain, you will have the big picture of what a winery is about!
Imagine an atom, this is a bunch of electrons running around everywhere and we do not why, but these electrons forms an atom. An atom forms a molecule. We are the electrons and the results are the Pinot Noir from Cooper Mountain.