About Us
Ackley Brands was founded in 2016 when the Ackley family purchased Montinore Estate, a leader in the world of Biodynamic® viticulture and sustainable winemaking, that had been producing wine in Oregon’s Willamette Valley for nearly four decades. Driven by an ambitious and discerning team, Ackley Brands’ portfolio includes legacy and newly-launched brands alike that undeniably reflect the regions and terroirs from which they hail. From the bustling metropolis of Seattle, Washington to the picturesque landscapes of Northern Italy, Ackley Brands is committed to curating innovation, blending time-honored winemaking and brewing practices with modern creativity.
Our Brands
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First Sight
First Sight wines are sourced from CCOF-certified vineyards in the acclaimed Paso Robles AVA that steer clear of synthetic chemicals and pesticides. These organic farming practices allow us to reduce our overall environmental impact while still producing wines of the highest quality.
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Mac & Jack's
Started by Mac Rankin and Jack Schropp out of Jack’s garage in 1993 with nothing but a love of good beer and the dogged certainty that people would recognize quality and originality when they tasted it. The mission is simple: to make something people love, and to make it the right way.
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Montinore Estate
Established in 1982, Montinore Estate is one of the country’s largest producers of certified estate wines made from Biodynamic® grapes with a focus on producing superior Pinot Noirs, cool climate whites, and fascinating Italian varietals.
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Cataclysm Wine Co.
The world is chaotic. Luckily, Cataclysm is here to support you on your journey to embracing it. Born from the understanding that things don’t always go to plan, we invite you to welcome the forces beyond your control. Pairs perfectly with life’s ups, downs and in-betweens.
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Borealis Vintners
Borealis embodies the unique and awe-inspiring wonder of the Pacific Northwest, shaped by its ancient soils, spectacular landscape, and maritime climate. Each sip displays the balance and complexity that have made Oregon and Washington two of the world’s preeminent wine regions.
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Landlines Estates
Landlines Estates crafts small, distinct lots of Oregon Pinot Noir and Chardonnay sourced from Tidalstar Vineyard. We brought together a team of grape farmers, viticulturists and winemakers to show the full range of what this very special place can produce.
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Tidalstar Vineyard
Planted in 1999, this 30-acre vineyard is positioned against the western edge of the Yamhill-Carlton AVA, a sub-appellation of Oregon’s renowned Willamette Valley. This beautiful growing site is farmed using only organic and Biodynamic practices.
Our Timeline
February 2016Montinore Estate
In early 2016, Ackley Brands established its inaugural partnership with Rudy Marchesi at Montinore Estate, providing investment and strategic business planning to one of the largest producers of certified estate wines made from Biodynamic® grapes in the country. As the flagship brand in the Ackley portfolio, Brandon and Rudy work to uphold Montinore’s legacy as a leader in the world of Biodynamic® farming, regenerative agriculture and superior winemaking.
OCTOBER 2016Tidalstar Vineyard
Eight months after Montinore Estate joined the Ackley Brands family, the opportunity arose to purchase 30 vineyard acres on the western edge of the Yamhill-Carlton AVA. With its nutrient-rich maritime soils, its elevation and east-facing slope the decision was clear: Tidalstar Vineyard would join the ever-growing Ackley portfolio. Tidalstar Vineyard would go on to provide the inspiration for Landlines Estates while undertaking the onerous transition to becoming Demeter-certified Biodynamic®, CCOF Organic and LIVE certified.
MARCH 2019Laughlin Road Ranch
With the ever-growing demand for Biodynamic® certified fruit, Ackley Brands purchased 180 acres of farmland in northeastern Yamhill-Carlton in early 2019 and began the arduous task of planting 120 vineyard acres. Once planting is complete the vineyard will boast 8 clones of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and a small amount of Gamay and Riesling. Laughlin Road Ranch had its inaugural pick during harvest 2023, bringing in both Chardonnay and Pinot Noir that will be expertly ushered through the winemaking process by our incredible winery team.
NOVEMBER 2020Landlines Estates
In the Fall of 2020, Ackley Brands debuted Landlines Estates. This project would be the first self-established wine brand for the company, setting the stage for thoughtful innovation early on. Landlines Estates crafts small, distinct lots of Oregon Pinot Noir and Chardonnay sourced from Tidalstar Vineyard in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA. Employing the collaborative efforts of acclaimed winemakers Anna Matzinger, Rudy Marchesi, Stephen Webber and Chris Brack, this team practices minimal intervention, allowing the unique expressions of the terroir to shine through.
SEPTEMBER 2021Cataclysm Wine Co.
Launching in the Fall of 2021, Cataclysm Wine Co. brought Washington wine into Ackley’s Oregon-dominated portfolio. Born from the desire to make wines from the highly acclaimed Columbia Valley AVA, Cataclysm introduced three varietals to our offering and allowed Ackley Brands to take advantage of the growing recognition Washington was receiving as a preeminent winegrowing region. Cataclysm celebrates its roots in the Pacific Northwest, drawing on the geological significance the cataclysmic Missoula Floods had in shaping the landscape of the Columbia Valley.
MAY 2022Borealis Vintners
Unable to sit still and only eight months after the launch of its last brand, Ackley debuted Borealis Vintners with a 2020 Oregon Pinot Noir. Inspired by one of the seven natural wonders of the world, Borealis embodies the unique and awe-inspiring wonder of the Pacific Northwest. The otherworldly spectacle of the Aurora Borealis is a timeless reminder of the magic and majesty of the natural world; it reminds us to hold a deep reverence for nature and the role it plays in crafting phenomenal wine.
JULY 2022Vivacé Prosecco
In the Summer of 2022, Ackley Brands adds “Importer” to its ever-growing list of titles with the launch of its Prosecco line under the Montinore Estate label. Drawing on the Italian roots that run deep in Rudy Marchesi and Montinore’s history, the decision was made to import two certified organic Italian varietals: prosecco DOC and prosecco rosé DOC. Both wines were brought in under the name Vivacé to draw a connection to Montinore’s Oregon sparkling wine of the same name. All three sparkling wines demonstrate elegance, balance and a commitment to sustainable winemaking.
NOVEMBER 2022McMinnville Tasting Room
Knowing that both Montinore Estate and Landlines Estates were making some truly exceptional wines, Ackley Brands felt it was important to create a space where they could be shared. McMinnville’s historic Third Street was selected for its ideal location in the heart of Oregon wine country and for its reputation as a must-visit for foodies and wine lovers alike. Opening its doors in November 2022, The Grove pays homage to Montinore Estate’s roots in Forest Grove where the estate vineyard and original tasting room were founded.
FEBRUARY 2023Woodinville Tasting Room
A short three months after the grand opening of The Grove in McMinnville, OR, Ackley Brands added its name to the impressive roster of winery tasting rooms in Woodinville, WA. Located on Wine Walk Row in the Schoolhouse District, the Montinore Estate and Landlines Estates tasting room promotes the virtues of Biodynamic viticulture while pouring wines that are proof that sustainable farming and thoughtful winemaking produce a superior product.
October 2023Mac & Jack’s
With the growing success of its existing portfolio, Ackley Brands was motivated to further diversify its offering and attract a wider customer base. In October of 2023, Ackley purchased Mac & Jack's Brewing Company and officially entered the world of craft beer. With its commitment to quality and consistency, Mac & Jack's Brewing Company has a stellar reputation for making beer people want to drink.
August 2023La Messe
Inspired by the overwhelmingly positive response to Vivacé Prosecco, Ackley Brands embarked on a second Italian import project in the Summer of 2023. La Messe by Montinore Estate introduced a Sangiovese and skin-contact Albana Secco from the Emilia-Romagna region to the Ackley portfolio. This time, members of the Ackley team were lucky enough to travel to Italy and visit the organically farmed vineyards these two wines are sourced from, gaining a deeper understanding of Old World winemaking.
Borealis Line Extension
Following the successful launch of the brand a year earlier, Ackley Brands extended its Borealis Vintners product line in the summer of 2023 with two additional varietals. The addition of an Oregon Pinot Gris and a Washington and Oregon-appellated White Blend allowed Ackley to capitalize on the growing demand for white varietals sourced from the Pacific Northwest that fell in the >$20 category.
JULY 2023First Sight
Looking to expand its domestic wine offerings beyond the Pacific Northwest, Ackley Brands launched its first California label at the beginning of 2024. Sourced from certified organic vineyards in the iconic Paso Robles AVA, First Sight Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc are a welcome addition to Ackley’s existing portfolio of sustainably made wines. Motivated by an ever-growing desire to limit its environmental impact, Ackley Brands invested in lighter glass for First Sight bottles, post-consumer waste pulp for First Sight labels, and ethically sourced First Sight corks with a negative carbon footprint.
FEBRUARY 2024