Running a winery with half the family 6,000 miles away is a challenge, which explains why Dag Johan Sundby has sold Johan Vineyards, Rickreall, Ore., to Katherine “Mini” Banks, who also owns Cowhorn Vineyard. Jacksonville. Terms weren’t disclosed. Banks and partners purchased Cowhorn earlier this year.
The purchase puts two of the country’s most notable biodynamic vineyards under a single ownership group.
Johan Vineyards is an expansive 175 acre site, operated as a holistic farm. Eighty-eight acres of certified organic and biodynamic vineyards are complimented by organic gardens, a growing animal husbandry program (chickens, ducks, and sheep), a beautiful pond, reserved native woodlands, and a winery and tasting room.
Founded in 2005 by Dag Sundby, a native of Norway, Johan Vineyards received both organic and biodynamic certification in 2010 spearheaded by then winegrower Daniel Rinke (now at Art+Science Cider & Wine). In addition to producing ultra-premium 100% estate grown biodynamic wines, Johan Vineyards sells fruit to some of the top wineries in the Willamette Valley. While the focus of Johan has been on Pinot Noir, Johan has also earned a reputation for excellent Chardonnay and Pinot Gris, and produces varietals unique in the Willamette Valley, including Cabernet Franc, Melon de Bourgogne, Gruner Veltliner, and Blaufrankisch, among others. Johan was recently honored by Wine & Spirits Magazine as one of the Top 100 Wineries of 2021.
Johan’s Founder, Dag Sundby said, “it was very important to us to find a buyer that would continue to honor our philosophy of winegrowing. Mini shares our vision and we are confident she will carry on the Johan legacy with a passionate commitment and holistic approach to farming and winemaking that is the foundation on which this vineyard and winery were built.”