HillCrest Winery and Distillery
HillCrest Winery and Distillery is a private, family-owned estate winery in Roseburg, Oregon — Oregon's oldest estate winery and birthplace of Oregon Pinot Noir — producing small-lot estate wines and selling directly to consumers via its tasting room, Cellar 44 wine club, and e-commerce shop.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1961
- HeadquartersRoseburg, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What HillCrest Winery and Distillery does
HillCrest Winery and Distillery is a private, family-owned estate winery operating from a single 240 Vineyard Lane property in Roseburg, Oregon (Umpqua Valley). Founded in 1959 by Richard Sommer — recognized as the Father of Oregon Wine and the first to plant Vitis vinifera vines post-Prohibition in Oregon in 1961 — it is Oregon's oldest estate winery and the documented birthplace of Oregon Pinot Noir. The DeMara family acquired the estate in 2003 and now operates it across three generations (Dyson and Susan DeMara with children Hanna and Tucker, who joined in 2023). Headcount is 1–10 and total land farmed is 260+ acres, of which approximately 40 acres are estate vineyards across three distinct hillside sites.
Production is intentionally small-lot and estate-only, using dry-farmed hillside viticulture, concrete fermentation tanks, and extended aging in large European Slavonian oak botti. HillCrest was the first Oregon winery to plant Teroldego and Schioppettino. All estate wines are made exclusively from estate-grown fruit, with many bottlings available only at the winery. Revenue is generated entirely through direct-to-consumer channels: the daily-open estate tasting room offering a $15 classic tasting and a $95 winemaker-led "From Grape to Glass" tour; the Cellar 44 subscription wine club with five tiers delivering 2–6 bottles five times per year (Sept, Nov, Jan, March, May); and the hillcrestvineyard.shop e-commerce storefront selling estate wines, curated international wines, and merchandise. The company carries no institutional investment, no parent company, no subsidiaries, and no disclosed debt or equity funding rounds.
The customer base consists of individual wine enthusiasts, tourists, and wine collectors seeking authentic Oregon heritage wines and library vintages. The business is differentiated by its irreplicable historical pedigree (Oregon State Historical Marker, House Resolution, 2014 invitation as sole US participant at the 900th birthday of the world's oldest winery, Weingut Stift Klosterneuburg) and by Slow Wine recognition — the only Umpqua Valley winery so designated for both wine quality and regenerative farming practices.
HillCrest Winery and Distillery firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- HillCrest Winery and Distillery
- Legal name
- HillCrest Winery and Distillery
- Website
- https://hillcrestvineyard.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1961
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- HillCrest Winery and Distillery is a private, family-owned estate winery in Roseburg, Oregon — Oregon's oldest estate winery and birthplace of Oregon Pinot Noir — producing small-lot estate wines and selling directly to consumers via its tasting room, Cellar 44 wine club, and e-commerce shop.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
HillCrest Winery and Distillery industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Estate Winery
- NAICS
- Wineries (312130), Grape Vineyards (111332)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Wine Production & Winemaking (AFAFAAAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Wineries & Vineyards (Tasting Rooms) (THAFALAE), Wine Tastings & Vineyard/Winery Tours (THAJAGAD), Vineyard Establishment & Development (Site Prep, Trellising, Planting) (AFAGAJAA), Wine Shops (Off-Premise) (CRANAAAB)
Keywords
Where HillCrest Winery and Distillery is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Roseburg
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
HillCrest Winery and Distillery business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Tasting Room Sales: Direct wine sales through the estate tasting room, offering guided tastings and premium tour experiences. No reservation required for classic tasting.
- Wine Club Membership (Cellar 44): Recurring membership program with five annual shipments featuring exclusive wines available only at the winery, new releases, and library vintages. Includes complimentary tastings and priority allocation.
- E-commerce / Online Shop: Direct online sales of wines, wineware, and international selections through hillcrestvineyard.shop
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Classic Tasting |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | From Grape to Glass Tour and Tasting |
| Subscription | Annual | HillCrest Red (2 Bottles) |
| Subscription | Annual | HillCrest Red (4 Bottles) |
| Subscription | Annual | HillCrest Red & International (4 Bottles) |
| Subscription | Annual | HillCrest Red & White (4 Bottles) |
| Subscription | Annual | HillCrest Red, White & International (6 Bottles) |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
HillCrest Winery and Distillery product offering
Product offeringCore offering
HillCrest Winery and Distillery is Oregon's oldest estate winery (founded 1959) and birthplace of Oregon Pinot Noir, producing small-lot estate-grown wines in the Umpqua Valley from approximately 40 acres of dry-farmed hillside vineyards using concrete fermentation tanks and extended aging in large European botti. The winery sells its wines direct-to-consumer through an estate tasting room in Roseburg, Oregon, an online shop at hillcrestvineyard.shop, and the Cellar 44 wine club subscription program with five annual shipments.
Product overview
HillCrest Vineyard is Oregon's oldest estate winery and birthplace of Pinot Noir, offering a portfolio of estate-grown wines and experiential offerings. The core product portfolio includes Oregon wines (Umpqua Valley reds and whites) and international wines, with wine-related merchandise available. Tasting experiences include the Classic Tasting (5-8 wines, $15) and the From Grape to Glass tour ($95). The Cellar 44 Wine Club offers five subscription tiers delivering 2-6 bottles of estate and international wines five times yearly, with exclusive access to limited-production and library wines, complemented by personal video wine notes from the winemaker.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Oregon Wines (Umpqua Valley) Estate-grown wines crafted from hillside vineyards in the Umpqua Valley, Oregon, featuring dry-farmed fruit, concrete fermentors, and extended aging in large European botti. Includes Pinot Noir and other varietals synonymous with Oregon wine, made exclusively from estate-grown fruit.
- International Wines Curated selection of internationally crafted wines representing distinctive, often little-known wines from remarkable regions around the world, chosen for character, authenticity, and sense of place.
- Classic Tasting Guided tasting of 5-8 wines in the historic estate tasting room bar, priced at $15 per person with one tasting fee waived per two bottle purchase. No reservation required; designed for visitors seeking an educational, story-driven tasting rooted in Oregon wine history.
- From Grape to Glass Tour and Tasting In-depth, approximately two-hour tour and tasting experience led by a HillCrest winemaker exploring the path of the grape, the impact of stemware, classic tasting techniques, and traditional winemaking styles. Priced at $95 per person for 2-10 participants; reservation required by phone.
- Cellar 44 Wine Club Subscription wine club with five tiers (2, 4, or 6 bottles per shipment) delivering estate Umpqua Valley reds, whites, and curated international wines five times yearly (Sept, Nov, Jan, March, May). Members receive priority allocation of library wines, complimentary tastings for four at pickup, 15% off cases, and personal video wine notes from owner/winemaker Dyson DeMara.
- Wine Ware Wine-related merchandise and accessories available for purchase online to complement the wine drinking experience.
Quantifiable outcome
- Only Umpqua Valley winery recognized by Slow Wine international organization
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use HillCrest Winery and Distillery
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
HillCrest Winery and Distillery technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
HillCrest Winery and Distillery partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- Weingut Stift KlosterneuburgflagshipHillCrest was invited to celebrate the 900th birthday of Weingut Stift Klosterneuburg, the oldest winery in the world. Dyson, Susan, and their daughter Hanna DeMara represented HillCrest alongside the oldest wineries from Germany, Italy, France, and South Africa. HillCrest was the only participating winery from the United States, reflecting the family's deep connection to the enduring art, history, and tradition of wine.
- Slow Wine (International Organization)coreSlow Wine is an international organization that recognizes wineries for both the quality of their wines and their care for nature. HillCrest is the only winery in the Umpqua Valley with this recognition, reflecting their regenerative farming approach and commitment to responsible viticulture.
- Patricia Green (Wine Industry Professional)minorPatricia Green, who would go on to become a prominent figure in Oregon wine, passed through the doors at Hillcrest Vineyard early in her career, learning from Richard Sommer (Father of Oregon Wine).
- Ponzi Family (Wine Industry Professionals)minorThe Ponzi family, who would continue developing Oregon wine, passed through Hillcrest Vineyard early in their career, learning from Richard Sommer.
- Richard SommercoreRichard Sommer, known as the Father of Oregon Wine, planted the first Vitis vinifera vines post-Prohibition in Oregon in 1961. Dyson DeMara worked with Sommer for several years before purchasing HillCrest in 2003, continuing Sommer's pioneering legacy.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
HillCrest Winery and Distillery competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Adelsheim Vineyard: Pioneering Oregon estate winery founded in the same era, with comparable estate-grown Pinot Noir, tasting room, and wine club offerings.
- Sokol Blosser Winery: Oregon estate winery with comparable DTC focus, including tasting room, wine club, and sustainability story. Similar size class and direct-to-consumer distribution model.
- Beaux Frères: Premium Oregon Pinot Noir producer with estate vineyard and small-lot, allocation-based mailing list/wine club analogous to HillCrest's Cellar 44.
- Eyrie Vineyards: Another pioneering Oregon estate winery founded in the same era as HillCrest and a fellow Pinot Noir originator. Operates a similar small-production, estate-grown DTC model with tasting room and library programs.
- Patricia Green Cellars: Oregon Pinot Noir specialist with an industry lineage traceable to Richard Sommer at HillCrest (Patricia Green trained at the estate). Similar small-lot, allocation-style direct sales.
- Ponzi Vineyards: Family-owned Oregon winery explicitly connected to HillCrest through Richard Sommer (Ponzi family trained at HillCrest early in their career). Comparable estate-grown Pinot Noir DTC model.
- REX HILL Vineyards: Oregon estate winery with Pinot Noir focus, on-site tasting room, and wine club—closely aligned small-production DTC model in the same Willamette/Umpqua ecosystem.
Broad incumbents
- Domaine Drouhin Oregon: Burgundy-backed Oregon Pinot Noir producer with estate winery, tasting room, and DTC focus—competing for similar premium Oregon Pinot Noir consumers with deeper capital and brand.
- King Estate Winery: Larger Oregon estate winery operating in the same broader Pinot Noir and DTC space, with broader product portfolio and significantly larger scale than HillCrest.
Others
- Stift Klosterneuburg: Austria's oldest winery and HillCrest's most prominent international partner; comparable estate-based, multi-generational producer with deep historical brand equity and a tasting/experience offering.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
HillCrest Winery and Distillery social profiles
Digital presenceHillCrest Winery and Distillery compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
HillCrest Winery and Distillery financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
HillCrest Winery and Distillery leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
HillCrest Winery and Distillery funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
HillCrest Winery and Distillery M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about HillCrest Winery and Distillery
What does HillCrest Winery and Distillery do?
HillCrest Winery and Distillery is Oregon's oldest estate winery (founded 1959) and birthplace of Oregon Pinot Noir, producing small-lot estate-grown wines in the Umpqua Valley from approximately 40 acres of dry-farmed hillside vineyards using concrete fermentation tanks and extended aging in large European botti. The winery sells its wines direct-to-consumer through an estate tasting room in Roseburg, Oregon, an online shop at hillcrestvineyard.shop, and the Cellar 44 wine club subscription program with five annual shipments.
Is HillCrest Winery and Distillery a public or private company?
HillCrest Winery and Distillery is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was HillCrest Winery and Distillery founded?
HillCrest Winery and Distillery was founded in 1961. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is HillCrest Winery and Distillery based?
HillCrest Winery and Distillery is headquartered in Roseburg, United States, in the North America region.
How does HillCrest Winery and Distillery make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Tasting Room Sales are the primary driver. The others are wine Club Membership (Cellar 44) and E-commerce / Online Shop.
Who are HillCrest Winery and Distillery's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Adelsheim Vineyard, Sokol Blosser Winery, Beaux Frères, Eyrie Vineyards, Patricia Green Cellars, Ponzi Vineyards and REX HILL Vineyards. Broad incumbents are Domaine Drouhin Oregon and King Estate Winery. Stift Klosterneuburg is listed as an others.
Does HillCrest Winery and Distillery have an API?
No public API is recorded for HillCrest Winery and Distillery.
What industry is HillCrest Winery and Distillery in?
HillCrest Winery and Distillery's product category is Estate Winery. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAFAAAB, Wine Production & Winemaking, with a secondary code of THAFALAE, Wineries & Vineyards (Tasting Rooms). Its NAICS code is 312130.