Welcome Home to R. Stuart & Co. Winery

Cultivating Community & Evolving McMinnville’s Leadership

At R. Stuart & Co., a winery nestled in McMinnville, Oregon’s Granary District, a legacy of approachable wines and warm hospitality continues to flourish under the guidance of a new generation of leaders. Founded by Rob and Maria Stuart, the winery was built on the couple’s dream of creating a space where high-quality wines are accessible, the staff and growers are honored for their hard work, and customers are welcomed as friends.

Rob Stuart, a veteran winemaker in the Pacific Northwest, is known for his warm personality and accessible winemaking style, which reflects in the wines produced at R. Stuart. His wife Maria, who was an enthusiastic cook and host, managed the winery’s marketing and hospitality. Together, they established a winery focused primarily on Pinot noir, Pinot gris, and méthode champenoise wines, emphasizing authenticity, approachability, and balance.

Now, younger leaders like Casee Clark, director of consumer sales, and Susy Sayles, marketing and events manager, are carrying forward the Stuarts’ tradition of humble hospitality and community leadership. “Fall is our favorite time of year for all the reasons,” Casee says, noting that the season brings larger groups to the tasting room and the opportunity for visitors to witness the winemaking process in action. While R. Stuart’s urban winemaking space may surprise visitors with its industrial feel, it’s a beloved and creative environment where past assistant winemakers have left their mark. “Once visitors see the creative legacy in our space, they love it as much as we do,” Susy adds.

Rob and Maria’s three children have pursued lives outside of the winery, but Casee and Susy affectionately joke that they “adopted” the Stuarts into their lives. The Stuarts’ mentorship has been vital, fostering growth not just in business but in all aspects of life. “It’s okay if we disagree, just come back to the table,” Casee recalls Rob saying, emphasizing the collaborative and supportive nature of the winery’s leadership.

Despite an increasing number of wineries in the area, R. Stuart remains a cornerstone of McMinnville’s downtown core, proud of their contributions to the community. Their 3rd Street tasting room is a vibrant gathering place for locals and visitors alike, offering wine, of course, and also the sense that you’ve stepped into an extension of the Stuarts’ living room. 

As Casee and Susy encourage, supporting local wineries can be as simple as sharing a bottle at your next dinner party, signing up for a subscription wine club, recommending them to a friend, or refreshing your experience by stopping by for new releases or one of R. Stuart’s many creative, intimate events. 

At R. Stuart, every visit offers more than just great wine—it’s an invitation to be part of a vibrant, welcoming community with young leaders at the helm. And while R. Stuart’s story keeps evolving, it somehow always feels like coming home.

For more information on the the 2024 harvest, visit: willamettewines.com/plan-your-visit/seasons/harvest

Check out R. Stuart’s subscription wine clubs: rstuartandco.com/wine-clubs/subscription-clubs

Kitri Culbertson (she/her) is a McMinnville writer and owner of Scarlet Communications. She has worked in various positions in the Oregon wine industry, including founders Sokol Blosser Winery, and now helps wineries share what makes their brands stand out. Her favorite R. Stuart & Co. wine is their Rosé d’Or sparkling.

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