Page 76 - SOUTHERN OREGON MAGAZINE FALL 2019

feature | the beauty issue
feature | women in wine

s the Southern Oregon wine industry gained momentum in
Athe mid- to late-1900s, women played vital roles and now
hold key positions in the vineyard and in the winery. The time,
passion and energy they give to their varied jobs are crucial to our
award-winning wine region. Come meet a few.

ANN WISNOVSKY, VALLEY VIEW WINERY

Frank Wisnovsky was a civil engineer from New Jersey. While on a
cross-country family vacation in 1971, they visited Ashland and Frank
suggested looking for land. His wife Ann thought he was crazy. He had
a good job, and they had four children. But they purchased 77 acres
with a rundown house. They planted grapes, refurbished the house and
Frank started a construction business. Ann focused on the business end.
More, she kept things together, a big job with a daughter and three boys
fairly close in age, and Frank often brought home unexpected guests,
even hitchhikers he hired spontaneously. A great Italian cook, she fed
them all.

When Frank died unexpectedly in 1980, the children were aged 12-19.
Ann managed the business until her sons could take over.

In 1990, they produced their best ever wines. The Anna Maria label
highlighting that quality reads, “Our best wines are labeled under the
Anna Maria label in honor of our mother.” Had Ann not kept the busi-
ness going after her husband’s death, there would be no Valley View
today.

MARY WARRICK, WOOLDRIDGE CREEK VINEYARD,
WINERY, CREAMERY & CHARCUTERIE

For Southern California residents Ted and Mary Warrick, Wooldridge
started as Ted’s hobby. He was a New Jersey based pilot, she an escrow
officer who later worked for the airlines. They looked long and hard
for Oregon land to purchase, but upon seeing this site, they decided
within ten minutes. A year later they moved, starting the vineyard in
1978. When Ted was flying, Mary watered the vines with a hose—
vines started with canes stuck in the ground. From a kit, they built a
1,000-square foot log home, where they lived for 25 years. (It is now
home to Greg and Kara, whose story follows.)

In 2018, Ted, Mary, Greg and Kara celebrated 40 years of grape grow-
ing, and 15 years of winemaking at Wooldridge. Ted’s “hobby” truly took
on a life of its own, and Mary has no regrets. Her job description? “I
sweep floors, clean toilets, write checks, handle financial matters.” At
least that’s all she mentioned.

KARA OLMO, WOOLDRIDGE CREEK VINEYARD, WINERY,
CREAMERY & CHARCUTERIE

Kara Olmo’s story is intricately interwoven with Warrick’s. She and
Greg Paneitz met at school in California, where both attained degrees
in fermentation science. Greg wanted to move to Oregon, she did not,
feeling the area too small, opportunities too limited. Greg prevailed,
and in time they approached Warricks about working together. Ted and

74 www.southernoregonmagazine.com | fall 2019