Page 80 - SOUTHERN OREGON MAGAZINE FALL 2019

feature | the beauty issue
feature | women in wine

When asked about her role, Hilda quipped that she’s the mother
superior, meaning she oversees much and has done it all. “I’m
proud of what we’ve done. We thought outside the box to achieve
what you see today.” To Hilda, life is an adventure and Abacela is
a privilege.

ANNE ROOT, EDENVALE WINERY

Anne Root worked in the tech field when cell phones flipped open and
the Internet was a novelty. Her husband’s family had been longtime
Rogue Valley orchardists and in associated businesses since 1908. When
they converted an old orchard to a vineyard in 1996 and formulated
plans for a winery, Anne signed on. “I began my venture into wine and
old white buildings.” The white building is the Voorhies Mansion at the
center of Eden Valley Orchards, an appealing site for a tasting room that
also allows people to experience being on a farm.

There was little awareness of wine in the region when the winery started
in 1999. EdenVale dreamed big, but had restrictions to overcome. Anne
navigated Oregon land use regulations to get the property approved for
the tasting room and events. They released their first vintage in 2003.

Anne’s focus is the winery—contracting with growers, compliance,
insurance, staffing, marketing. She also maintains the many gardens that
provide flowers and produce for tasting room plates and events. Her
four dachshunds accompany her, enjoying a feast of cherry tomatoes.
The gardens and farm property allow Anne a place to relax and refocus.

ASHLEY CAMPANELLA, EDENVALE WINERY

When EdenVale’s winemaker left in 2008, he declared Ashley
Campanella ready to take his place. Anne carefully considered before
agreeing—she would be hiring her daughter. Ashley had managed and
developed the tasting room, apprenticed under three winemakers, and
done everything from helping make wine to cleanup. Additionally, she
bought grapes and made her own wine, proving her capabilities.

Ashley graduated from Florida’s Eckerd College in marine science and
psychology. During college, she worked with Eckerd College Search
and Rescue Team as a first responder and first mate. There she learned
to triage, flip boats and deal with crippled engines, to work and calm
people under life-and-death pressure, often in turbulent weather.

At EdenVale, she became a leader in the development and production of
pear cider, figuring how to adapt apple cider protocols to pear’s differ-
ent qualities. Today, she is head winemaker and cider maker at EdenVale,
and has national and international awards for both. She is passionate
about the craft and steadfast on the processes.

She and Anne enjoy their mother-daughter relationship, as well as being
friends and colleagues. (Anne added that she’s proud of Ashley as a
woman and in the wine business.)

NAOMI FUERTE, GRIZZLY PEAK WINERY

Like many wineries, Grizzly Peak is a family business. Al and Virginia
Silbowitz bought land, planted grapes, and eventually built a winery and
ASHLEY CAMPANELLA, EDENVALLE WINERY
78 www.southernoregonmagazine.com | fall 2019