Before jumping into Oregon’s wine industry, Korean-Americans Dave and Lois were musicians playing at wineries in Southern California.
In October, the winemakers purchased the future site of CHO Wines in the Willamette Valley’s Chehalem Mountains American Viticultural Area after a 10-year wine journey.
Founded in 2020, CHO Wines according to the couple is much more than a label, as CHO also stands for carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen – being the makeup of all living things.
Dave and Lois moved to Oregon to pursue their dream of being viticulturists. They began by sourcing grapes from other local growers, but soon planted vines of their own. They plan to open a tasting room on their new property in spring 2023.
They’ve been able to spend more time together as a married couple and with their three children since starting the winery. They wish to share more than just a bottle with their visitors, but life together too.
“It’s all made of the same elements,” Lois said. “So that’s what we really wanted to highlight, that work in the wine community. We all are united in our love for wine.”
