SALEM, Ore. (KOIN) — Nestled in the rolling hills of southern Salem sits the popular Coria Estates Vineyard.
Known mostly for its incredible wine, the picturesque spot is also well respected as one of the few Hispanic-owned wineries in the entire Willamette Valley.
Spanning more than 100 acres, the rows of Pinot, Chardonnay, Syrah and other varietals impress almost as much as the gorgeous views from the hilltop.
“I’ve grown up in the vineyard. Now, we’ve kind of grown up together in winemaking. We each kind of bring our dynamic to the business,” said Aurora Coria, the operation’s chief winemaker.
It’s her father, Luis, who planted the first grapes here in the late 1990s after coming to the United States decades earlier.
“I was born in the state of Michoacan , born 1955, [and] been here 42 years,” said Luis.
Growing up in Mexico, he never expected to one day own a vineyard that is routinely recognized as one of the best in the area. He credits a never-ending work ethic for that.