February 5th – Portland Oregon – Portland Wine Company Home of Love & Squalor is pleased to announce to promotion of Alana Birkeland to the position of Assistant Winemaker. She is the first to ascend to this newly created position and she does so after two harvests as Portland Wine Company’s Cellar Master.
Birkeland earned a B.S. in Environmental Science and a Minor in Biology at the University of Oregon. She was invited to work harvest post-college, and has never looked back. She worked in New Zealand (Craggy Range) and Australia (Giant Steps), arriving at Portland Wine Company after two years as Cellar Master at Cristom Vineyards. “I’m looking forward to expanding into this new role, and moving the winery forward as it continues to grow,” says Birkeland.
Since opening its urban winemaking and retail facility in 2019, Portland Wine Company has increased production to 4000 cases annually and added exciting new bottlings to its lineup. Birkeland has been integral to this growth, and assisted in the development of the new Skin Contact Pinot Gris and the forthcoming Trousseau noir/Gamay noir co-ferment.
“We’re a small family winery,” says co-owner/winemaker Matt Berson. “Alana was our first full time cellar hire and she cares deeply about the wines. Her dedication to high quality production allows us to increase our focus on distribution while deepening our presence as Portland’s premier winery.”
Portland Wine Company was founded in 2006. Its flagship brand Love & Squalor is a local and national favorite, having earned multiple 90+ reviews in national publications. Portland Wine Company is committed to hiring and uplifting female, BIPOC and LGBTQ+ employees. For more information contact Matt@loveandsqualorwine.com
About Portland Wine Company Home of Love & Squalor
Portland Wine Company was founded by winemaker Matt Berson in 2006 with a primary focus on Willamette Valley Riesling and Pinot noir. The flagship brand, Love & Squalor, now encompasses 14 bottlings including single vineyard expressions and reserve wines. Other brands made in the facility include Garageland (rosé and Pinot noir), Marty (red blend), Mothershucker (white blend), Pet Matt (petillant naturel) and a line of canned wines. The winery is co-owned by Berson and his wife, General Manager, Angie Reat. The winery and tasting room are open to the public in picturesque SE Portland.
