(Story from information provided by Jack Costa of the Umpqua Valley Winegrowers Association)

November 8, 2025 11:10 a.m. 

A pioneer in the Umpqua Valley wine industry has passed away.

Philippe Girardet was the founder of Girardet Vineyards and Winery in Tenmile. The Swiss American was an astrophysics engineer at the California Institute of Technology before moving to Oregon, where he established one of areas oldest continually operating wineries.

When initially visiting the Umpqua Valley, Girardet was reminded of the rolling hills of his homeland. He recognized the area’s viticultural potential after tasting the wines of Richard Sommer, the founder of Hillcrest Vineyard. Having worked in his uncle’s vineyards while growing up in Switzerland, Girardet retained a lifelong connection to wine.

In 1970, Philippe and his wife Bonnie purchased a 55-acre former sheep farm near Tenmile, where they began building a cabin. Over a bottle of wine, they decided the property would make the perfect place for a vineyard. By 1971, Girardet set off cross-country in his 1965 Volkswagen van, collecting grapevine cuttings – including Baco Noir, the wine Philippe would later become famous for.

Girardet introduced Baco Noir to Umpqua Valley soil in 1971 but initially sold fruit to other wineries, not making wine himself. By the early 1980s, the Girardet’s were producing their own wines. In 1990. Philippe bottled Oregon’s first 100 percent Baco Noir – an unheard-of varietal for the region at that time. The wine quickly earned a devoted following for its spicy, herbal notes and silky-smooth tannins. It was later recognized by The Oregonian’s Matt Kramer as “one of Oregon’s best reds”.

Girardet became known locally as the “Johnny Appleseed of Baco Noir”, handing out vine cuttings to any winemaker who showed interest. Today, several Umpqua Valley wineries, including Bradley Vineyards, River’s Edge, Melrose Vineyards and Trella Vineyards – grow and produce their own Baco Noir thanks to his influence.

In 2005, Philippe and Bonnie received the Oregon Wine Founders Award by the Oregon Wine Board in recognition of their pioneering work in the Oregon wine industry. Philippe was also a founding member of the Umpqua Valley Winegrowers Association and an advocate for the Umpqua Valley AVA since its establishment in 1984.

Philippe Girardet died on Sunday, November 2nd. He was 96 years of age.