Beacon Hill Winery
Winemakers: George Hillberry & Carla Rodríguez
Location: 22251 NE Laughlin Road, Gaston, OR 97119
Instagram: @beaconhillwines
Website: www.beaconhillwinery.com
Husband and wife, George Hillberry and Carla Rodríguez were spending a Sunday afternoon driving through wine country roads in November 2010 when they stopped by Beacon Hill. After a few friendly exchanges with the prior owners, George and Carla quickly realized there were many happy connections that led them to the property (ask them about it next time you see them).
Six months later, in April 2011 George and Carla were official owners of Beacon Hill Winery & Vineyard. The property totals 44 acres with 22 under planting including Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling and most recently, Albariño. Beacon Hill was first established in the late 1990s by renowned wine maker Tony Soter, of Soter Vineyards.
George Hillberry and Carla Rodríguez, Owners
In 2000, George made the permanent move to the one place he always called home, Oregon driven by his keen interest in his family’s vineyards and his love for wine. Drawing from five generations of farming, George is approaching his 21st harvest in Oregon’s wine country!
Born and raised in Mexico, Carla fondly remembers many trips to Casa Madero, the oldest winery in the Americas in her home State of Coahuila.
Carla moved to the US to attend undergraduate in Texas and graduate school in Arizona.
Right after college, Carla ventured to Romania where she served in the Peace Corps for 2 years working with an environmental organization in the coastal city of Constanta. It is in Romania, where she came across many distinct varietals and discovered her love of Hungarian Tokaji. It wasn't until she moved to Oregon in 2006 to pursue a career in high tech that she crossed paths with George, settled in and yes, fell in love.
Carla continues her work as an executive in high tech and in collaboration with the incredibly talented team at Beacon Hill, is responsible for overseeing daily operations for the tasting room, and guest accommodations.