We are Kudos
We make wine in the moment using our senses and our shared passions for working with the best the Willamette Valley has to offer.
Laurent Montalieu | Owner & Winemaker
Growing up on the Caribbean Island of Guadeloupe and in Bordeaux, France, winemaking wasn’t actually Laurent Montalieu’s first choice of profession. As a student in agricultural engineering at the Institute of Oenology in Bordeaux, Laurent became friends, through their shared interest in skiing, with a group of students who were studying viticulture and winemaking. He would help with vineyard chores to allow for more ski time with his buddies. It was in those vineyards that Laurent found his calling.
In 1987, a pivotal move to Oregon led Laurent to Bridgeview Vineyards and then, in 1995, to WillaKenzie Estate where he was a founding partner and winemaker. In 1999 he purchased 80 acres in Oregon’s Yamhill-Carlton AVA, which would grow into the estate vineyard and winery, Solena Estate. Finally in 2003, he founded the first fully-dedicated custom crush facility in the Willamette Valley, NW Wine Company.
Laurent Montalieu has been growing grapes and making wine in Oregon’s Willamette Valley for 32 vintages. Over the years, Laurent has dialed in his unique style. A focus on growing the highest quality fruit to achieve balanced and terroir-driven wines with freshness, depth, and structure. As a steward of the land, Laurent takes a humble approach to wine, and ultimately his goal is to leave his land in better shape than it was before him.
“I enjoy the connect to the land that winegrowing brings. It’s humbling to know that your not in control of the big picture. Just sit back, learn and work with nature. “
Bruno Corneaux | Dir. of Viticulture and Enology
While working on his Master’s Degree in Enology & Viticulture, Bruno gained extensive scientific knowledge as a Chemistry Analyzer, where he met his Domaine Divio partner André Weil. After earning his degree, Bruno enhanced his knowledge with international work experience in vineyards and wineries in South Africa, California, Oregon and Washington. In 1999 he moved to the South Pacific and successfully developed the first 10 acre-vineyard and produced award-winning wines on the island of Tahiti.
Bruno found his way to Oregon in 2010 as the Winemaker and Vineyard manager for Solena Estate. Over the last decade, he has lived and breathed Winegrowing in the Willamette Valley. He has started his own brand, Domaine Divio, in the Ribbon Ridge AVA.
“Winemaking opened up a world to me. Growing up in the cellar in the small village of Meloisey, I felt very restricted, the world felt small. After I went back to school, I realized that with this knowledge and skill of winemaking I could literally work anywhere in the world. “
Anne Sery | Winemaker
Anne was born and raised in Reunion Island, a tropical French island in the middle of the Indian Ocean, off the East Coast of Madagascar. When she was 14, her parents purchased a vineyard in Côte de Nuits. As a teenager, she spent her summer in Burgundy at the family vineyard, and it was there where her affinity for wine first blossomed. It was her summers in France though where her passion for wine and love for viticulture first blossomed.
She left Reunion after high school to attend college in Dijon where she received her degree in Biology, Physics, and Mathematics. She then completed the Master’s program of Viticulture and Oenology of the ENITA of Bordeaux and received her National Diploma of Enology from the University of Bordeaux.
During her years in school, Anne would return to Burgundy for internships with well esteemed Pinot Noir producers; Domaine jean-Francois Coche-Dury, Domaine Hubert Lignier, Maison Bouchard Pere & Fils.
After graduating she traveled to the United States to perfect her English and experience another Pinot Noir region of the world. While interning at Beaux Freres, she fell in love with the Willamette Valley and decided that she wanted to stay to start her career.
Anne landed the job of assistant winemaker for Solena Estate, after meeting Owner and Proprietor, Laurent Montalieu. After 2 years at Solena, Anne joined the team at NW Wine Company as winemaker.
Brian Irvine | Winemaker
Brian Irvine was born and raised in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains. He grew up riding his bike up and down the streets and by the garages where HP and Apple were founded. His first exposure to wine was in a restaurant and wine shop in Palo Alto, where he dialed his palate by tasting wines from the world over.
Brian is an “all the feels” winemaker. He learns through experiences and doing. He attended Fresno State for that very reason. The Bulldogs have a very practical and hands-on wine education. His time in Central California not only taught him the ins-and-outs of the winery but it solidified his want to work with cool-climate viticulture and winemaking.
Brian came to Oregon’s Willamette Valley in the 2006 vintage as an intern at Chehalem and was a part of their winemaking team for three more vintages. He then moved to Penner-Ash Wine Cellars where he learned and grew under Lynn Penner-Ash. Brian brought his unique experience and skill to Kudos and NW Wine Company in 2016.
Brian sums his life into the 4-F’s: Family, Friends, Food and Fermented beverages.
“A cool climate brings out the subtleties and nuances in wine. With longer hang-times and natural acidity, we can pull more intricacies out of the fruit making amazing, food-friendly wines. “
The Wines We Make
We believe that the wines that we grow are a combination of our shared experiences in life. We have grown grapes and made wine around the world, and are excited to bring you everyday wines from Oregon’s Willamette Valley.
The Kudos Lifestyle
Wine is a celebration of the amazing things that Mother Nature can do. Grab a bottle, pick a recipe and share some great times with those you love.
Check out our latest adventures.