Eric Lemelson found his "calling" as a Pinot noir producer after a series of serendipitous events that began with his decision to move to Oregon from the East in 1979 to attend Portland's Reed College. Oldest son of noted independent inventor Jerome Lemelson (1923-1997), Eric has always followed in the creative and entrepreneurial spirit of his family.

Even before graduating from Reed in 1981, Eric realized that Oregon was his true home. His career path following graduation began with politics: an internship for an Oregon Congressman led to positions on several state and national political campaigns and in the State Legislature. Later he played guitar in a rock and roll band, then attended law school at Lewis and Clark, where he studied environmental law. He received his J.D. in 1992 and ran a research center on water law for several years after graduation.

While in law school, Eric bought a farm in the hills on the eastern edge of Oregon wine country, following a longtime dream of living in the country. A longtime fan of Oregon wine, Eric began to notice the exceptional quality of Oregon Pinot noir produced in the 1990s. Intrigued, he contacted several producers to learn about viticulture. He discovered that his farm's southeast slopes and volcanic soils were well-suited for winegrapes. In 1995, he planted two acres of Pinot noir and Pinot gris at the farm, later named Chestnut Hill.  

Anthony began his career in the wine industry planting Rhone varietals in central Texas. Raised in Corpus Christi, Texas, he left to pursue a Physics degree from Grinnell College in Iowa. A few years after college, Anthony landed back in Texas editing a high-school physics textbook. A keen interest in cooking and foodiness led to an obsession with wine and a freelance wine writing gig with a local Austin newspaper. He then turned to friends in the local wine industry to begin his winemaking career.

Leaving Texas in search of experience in a cooler climate, Anthony worked for a year in the Napa Valley before attending UC Davis, graduating with a masters in viticulture and enology. His research focused on the effects of vineyard and winery practices on Pinot noir color and tannin. After graduation, he was hired as assistant winemaker at Carneros Pinot noir producer, Acacia Vineyards, where he went on to become winemaker, general manager and vineyard manager. In 2006, Anthony left Acacia to pursue the roots of his interest in Pinot noir at Lemelson. Anthony and his wife, Kara, have two children and live in McMinnville.  

Jim moved to Oregon in early 2003, drawn by Willamette Valley's landscape and lifestyle.  Jim joined Lemelson Vineyards in March 2003, after working in the cellar for Hamacher Wines in Carlton. He has six years experience in wine imports and distribution, and is an avid yoga practitioner.  

Derek Einberger
Cellar Master

Derek grew up in the Napa Valley, where his father was a winemaker. He graduated with a BA in studio art from the University of Redlands in California then moved to Portland to make art and to work at an art gallery. Later he worked as a brewer.  Jumping around the next few years, Derek worked one harvest at Vietti Winery in Piemonte, two seasons in California, and spent time in between making beer. Derek started working for us in August of 2008 as a harvest intern and it was such a good match that we hired him on full time after harvest.  Derek and his girlfriend, Jen, have just purchased their first home in McMinnville.