Foris Vineyards Winery
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Winery |
| Founded | 1971 |
| Founder | Ted Gerber, Meri Gerber |
| Headquarters | Cave Junction, Oregon , United States |
Area served | United States (38 states and Washington D.C.), Japan |
Key people | Ted Gerber, Meri Gerber, Sarah Powell, Bryan Wilson |
| Products | Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Gewurztraminer, Riesling, Muscat, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Fly Over Red blend |
Foris Vineyards Winery is a distinguished American winery situated near Cave Junction within the Illinois Valley of the Southern Oregon Rogue Valley AVA. Ted Gerber, one of Oregon’s earliest viticulturists, established his initial vineyard in 1974. For a decade and a half, Gerber provided grapes to various winemakers before he and Meri Gerber launched their own label, Foris, in 1986.
In recognition of their significant impact on the wine industry, Ted and Meri Gerber were honored with the Oregon Winery Association's Founders Award in 2000. Their collaborative efforts have included partnerships with both Oregon State University and the United States Department of Agriculture.
Foris Vineyards is known for its consistent production of wines that emphasize Pinot Noir alongside Alsace-style white varietals such as Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Gewurztraminer, Riesling, and Muscat. Ted Gerber was an early proponent of Dijon clones for both Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, creating a propagation initiative that supplied grafted vines to prominent wineries in California.
History
Foris has earned a reputation over decades for crafting premium Gewurztraminer, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and other varieties suited to cooler climates. In 1971, Ted and Meri Gerber acquired their first 15 acres near the historic mining settlement of Holland, positioned above Cave Junction. Utilizing three decades of climate data, they became trailblazers in Southern Oregon’s wine scene alongside northern pioneers such as the Letts, Eraths, Adelsheims, and Ponzis.
The winery’s evolution accelerated in 1990 when French-trained winemaker Sarah Powell joined the team. She emphasized low-yield viticulture to enhance fruit quality. During her tenure, Foris expanded its Pinot Noir production and ventured into markets beyond Oregon. A highlight was the selection of Foris’ 1994 Maple Ranch Pinot Noir for a White House dinner in 1997. Powell departed in 2001 to focus on consulting work.
In 2007, Bryan Wilson took over as winemaker, bringing expertise from renowned estates including Stags Leap Wine Cellars, Benziger Family Winery, and Sylvan Ridge. Foris is particularly noted for its expressions of Gewürztraminer, Chardonnay, Pinot noir, and Merlot. The winery’s 2006 Pinot Blanc earned "Best of Show" at the World of Wine Festival near Gold Hill, Oregon. Additionally, Foris produces the Cave Bear Red blend, with proceeds dedicated to supporting renovations at the Oregon Caves Chateau.
Vineyards
Foris manages 145 acres of estate vineyards located within the Illinois Valley at altitudes ranging from 1,200 to 1,800 feet. The area benefits from an annual rainfall near 60 inches combined with cold, wet winters followed by warm dry springs and hot summers—ideal conditions for cool climate grapes such as Pinot Noir and Alsace whites including Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Gewurztraminer, Riesling, and Muscat. All vineyard sites lie within a three-mile radius of the winery.
Wines
In 2013, Foris produced approximately 45,000 cases of wine, ranking it as the 13th largest producer among Oregon wineries by volume. Roughly half of these cases—about 22,500—were marketed under the Foris label itself, placing it 20th by brand sales within the state. The estate portfolio features varietals like Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Gewurztraminer, Riesling, and Moscato along with the single-vineyard Maple Ranch Pinot Noir. Distribution extends across 38 states in addition to Washington D.C. and Japan. Besides these offerings, Foris also crafts Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and a Rogue Valley blend known as "Fly Over Red."
Ownership
Established in 1971 by Ted and Meri Gerber, Foris originated with the acquisition of 15 acres near Holland, Oregon. The property expanded by an additional 80 acres in 1975, leading to the creation of Gerber Ranch and the Foris Winery. Initial obstacles involved inappropriate grape selections and evolving market conditions. By 2006, Foris had proven the Illinois Valley to be a promising region for cultivating high-quality grapes. In 2007, the winery produced 48,000 cases, securing its position as the 14th-largest bonded winery in Oregon.