Friends,

With great sadness I share the passing of Oregon wine legend Bill Stoller. Stoller left an indelible mark on the Oregon wine industry and is one of the pioneers in Pacific Northwest wine. Bill was very gracious to me, allowing me to interview him last year.

Bill had a 200-year vision through innovation, sustainable viticulture, and community building, founding Stoller in 1993. Bill was a global leader in wine and was given a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Oregon Wine Board and, most recently, received the prestigious Diploma of Honor from the Fédération Internationale des Confréries Bachiques. Beyond wine, he was a trailblazer in the staffing industry, co-founding Express Employment Professionals in 1983.

Bill Stoller was instrumental in helping Oregon wine be on the world stage and being in wine shops and supermarkets across the country — and in international markets abroad. Our thoughts and prayers are with Bill and his family.