Kicking off our annual 12 Days of Christmas! A Canadian wanderer who fell in love with Oregon’s wine, landscapes, and creative spirit. When she’s not crafting stories or capturing vineyard moments, she’s likely chasing beauty through books, trails, photography, and the quiet corners of life. Reach out to Em for all things wine club, or purchasing online.

Her wine of choice: 2024 Fleur de Roy Rosé.
Her charity: Hood River County Christmas Project — $1 from every bottle today helps bring holiday warmth to families throughout the Gorge. ✨💛

The duo who bring warmth, heart, and a whole lot of care to Phelps Creek.
Bob has guided this winery for decades with a steady hand and a deep love for the land, while Lynette brings an effortless sense of hospitality and connection (and let’s not forget logistics) that makes every visit feel special. Together, they’ve shaped Phelps Creek Vineyards. Nurturing their team and community. 

Around here, they’re known for their generosity, warmth, and the way they make Phelps Creek feel like a place where everyone belongs.

Their pick for the holiday season? The 2016 Lynette Chardonnay. Elegant, expressive, and named in Lynette’s honor.

Their charity: FISH Food Bank of Oregon — $1 from every bottle today supports families across the Gorge during the winter months

Meet Clay, our resident cellarhand and shipping champion, turning chaos into perfectly stacked barrels and keeping the cellar humming.
His wine journey has taken him from Portugal plus three different states before he landed in Hood River, where the views (and the Pinot) finally convinced him to stay.

Around here, he’s known for being kind, steady, and always ready to roll up his sleeves.

His wine of choice: 2022 Alexandrine Cuvée Pinot Noir.
His charity: Toys for Tots — $1 from every bottle today helps bring a little extra magic to kids this season. 🎁🍷

Meet Ira Kreft — part of the Phelps Creek winemaking team since 2010, and a bridge between Old World tradition and New World innovation.

A U.C. Davis Certificate in Winemaking anchors his approach, and he’s never stopped learning. Before joining Phelps Creek, Ira spent time volunteering with wineries in both Michigan and Oregon building knowledge vintage by vintage.

His pick for the season? The 2022 Syrah , sourced from Firethorn Vineyards in the Oregon side of the Columbia Valley AVA. Ripe fruit tones, balanced acidity, moderate alcohol, and time in French oak make it a natural match for grilled or roasted meats, hearty stews, roasted vegetables, and aged cheeses. Open a bottle and enjoy.

His charity: Friends of the Columbia Gorge — supporting the landscapes that make wines like this possible.
$1 from every bottle today helps preserve and protect the region we call home.

Around here, Ira is known for his generous knowledge, his love of native yeast, and a quiet passion for making wines that truly reflect the land. 🍇🍷🌲

Sami brings an endless supply of sunshine to the Phelps Creek Tasting Room, making every visit brighter and more welcoming. With a passion for people and a love for wine, she’s quickly become a favorite among our guests.

Around here, she’s known for her bubbly charm, big smile, and eagerness to learn,  the kind of energy that makes the tasting room feel alive.

Her pick to gift this holiday season? The 2021 Beehive Pinot Noir, a perfect reflection of her vibrant and joyful spirit. Come say hello and let Sami share her enthusiasm for great wine and good times!

Her charity: Smith-Lemli-Opitz Foundation

Meet Jake, new this year to the Phelps Creek crew, but right at home here.
A longtime lover of good wine, he’s been learning from our team and discovering just how much passion goes into every bottle. In his words, “Our owners and winemaking team know how to make some seriously incredible wines, and I feel honored to be part of a community that is so welcoming.”

Outside the cellar and tasting room, Jake is a talented photographer, especially when it comes to sports, nature, and capturing the beauty of the Gorge. You’ll see his beautiful photos featured on our page as well!

Around here, Jake is known for his big energy, curious mind, and the way he brings creativity into every part of the job. 🎨🍷📸

His wine of choice: 2017 Calamity.
His charity: Hood River Artist League — supporting the creative community that inspires his work.
$1 from every bottle today supports their mission.

Meet Bill, our Senior Enologist and longtime friend of Phelps Creek.
A UC Davis Wine Program graduate, Bill moved his family to the Columbia Gorge over 30 years ago in search of the perfect place to plant roots. He and Bob were “kicking the dirt” on the Phelps Creek estate long before the vines ever took hold.

Across his career, Bill’s winemaking experience has stretched from California to Oregon, Venezuela to Virginia, and Washington to right back here in the Gorge, where he now a proud Grandfather, enjoying life’s precious moments!

Around here, he’s known for his knowledge, loyalty, and the kind of wisdom that only comes from a life lived between vineyards and harvest seasons.

His pick for the season? The 2024 Pioneer Block Riesling
His charity: World Bicycle Relief

Meet Holly, our Tasting Room Ambassador and the unofficial “auntie” of Phelps Creek.

Warm, hardworking, and endlessly welcoming, she’s the one guests naturally seek out for the best Hood River tips. She’s traveled all over, but loves sharing why this little corner of the Gorge is worth slowing down for.

Around here, Holly is celebrated for her big heart, her reliability, and the way she’s always lifting up her team.

Her seasonal pick? Our 2022 barrel-fermented Pinot Gris, perfect for sharing with friends and family.

Her chosen charity: Columbia Gorge Cat Rescue. As Holly likes to say, “Who doesn’t love a purring cat in their lap?”
Today, $1 from every bottle sold goes directly to support their work.

Meet Alexandrine Roy — a fourth-generation vigneron from Gevrey-Chambertin, with winemaking in her blood long before she joined Phelps Creek.
She first came to the Gorge in 2007 to craft a special cuvée from our estate Pinot Noir, bringing a Burgundian perspective shaped by her family estate, Domaine Marc Roy. That project evolved into the Alexandrine Cuvée, a wine that reflects both her heritage and the Columbia Gorge’s potential for depth and elegance.

Today, Alexandrine leads her family winery in Burgundy, where her approach is rooted in tradition, balance, and respect for place. She continues to return to Oregon when she can, sharing her insight, her history, and a connection between two remarkable wine regions.

Around here, Alexandrine is known for her Burgundian roots, her influence on our Pinot Noir style, and a legacy built on family, tradition, and a love for the vineyard.

Her wine of choice: TBD
Her charity: TBD

Meet Lauryn! Happiest when life is filled with good company and great adventures.

She adores her golden retriever, Kobe, and spends her free time exploring the outdoors through mountain biking and skiing. When she’s not hitting the trails or slopes, you’ll find her relaxing with her husband and friends, savoring a good book, or enjoying a glass of wine.

Around here, she’s known for being dependable, incredibly kind, and impeccably organized, the steady, thoughtful presence every team hopes for

Her pick for the season? 2022 Phelps Creek Chardonnay
Her charity: Chill Foundation

Meet Jane , a world traveler with roots in South Africa.
She spends her days adventuring with her husband and their beautiful dogs and together, they even foster service dogs in training.

Her wine of choice for the season? The Cuvée Traditionelle Sparkling Rosé.
Sparkles and rosé, she says, remind her of happiness — and of the love and joy she shares with her family. This time of year, she’s especially mindful of good fortune and the importance of safety, comfort, and hope for young people in our community.

Around here, Jane is known for her warmth, her global perspective, and the way she carries gratitude into everything she does. ✨🐾🌍🍾

Her charity: Y.E.S. — the Youth Empowerment Shelter in the Central Gorge, an organization that helps create new beginnings and opens doors for youth who deserve possibility and a safe place to land.
$1 from every bottle today supports their work.

Meet Lauren O’Brien, our Winemaker!

Drawn to the Gorge for its beautiful vineyards, diverse microclimates, great hikes, and mushroom foraging in particular, morels!! Finding comfort in The Dalles, not too big or too fancy, a community weaved in heritage and enjoying life's slow moments.

Lauren brings a sharp palate and a meticulous mind. Crafting wines that reflect both place and precision.

Around here, she’s known for knowledge, precision and dedication that shows up in every bottle.

Her charity: Columbia Gorge Community College because accessible education can change a life. Lauren has both studied and taught in community college classrooms, and believes deeply in their value.

EMILY’S PICK
Christmas Project, Hood River

BOB AND LYNETTE’S PICK!
FISH Food Bank Hood River

CLAY’S PICK!
Toys For Tots

IRA’S PICK
Friends of The Columbia Gorge

SAMI’S PICK
Smith-Lemli-Opitz Foundation

JAKE’S PICK
Gorge Artists League | Open Studios

HOLLY’S PICK
Columbia Gorge Cat Rescue

LAURYN’S PICK
Chill Foundation

JANE’S PICK!
Y.E.S Youth Empowerment Shelter

LAUREN’S PICK
Columbia Gorge Community College Foundation

World Bicycle Relief