Jonathan Oberlander, owner of J. Scott Cellars in Eugene, Oregon, has been making our wine since 2014. He represents a new generation of winemakers who blend the old-world art of wine making with New World technology and innovation. He believes that great wines begin in the vineyard but come to fruition through a winemaker’s sense of quality, balance and a willingness to spend as much time as needed to make the best wine possible out of each year’s vintage.
Jonathan first developed an appreciation for wine at San Diego State University. After graduation, with a degree in Business, he began his career selling wine for Young's Market Company. After several visits to wineries in Napa and Sonoma, Jonathan fell in love with “the smell of the cellar”.
In 1994, in what some family members perceived as a lapse in good judgment, Jonathan quit his sales job and followed his girlfriend, Bonnie (now his wife) to UC Davis to pursue a Master's degree in Enology. Jonathan spent two years at Davis as a full time student while also managing a local restaurant/brewery.
In 1996, Jonathan learned that California State University Fresno was about to open its new student winery, the only university in the country to hold such a distinction. The students not only grew the grapes, but also made and sold the wine. This was an opportunity not to be missed! The practical winemaking skills learned in Fresno proved to be invaluable.
In 1998, Jonathan was hired as the Assistant Winemaker at Bernardus Vineyards and Winery in Monterey, California and by 2001 was named Associate Winemaker. Under the tutelage of Burgundian trained winemakers, Don Blackburn and Davis trained Mark Chesebro, Jonathan honed his skills making Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and all the Bordeaux varietals.
When offered the position of Assistant Winemaker at Silvan Ridge in Eugene, Oregon, (2003) it seemed an opportunity he could not pass up! Jonathan and Bonnie sold their home in California in less than a week and very quickly, the family (including two young daughters) was on its way to Oregon. In 2005, Jonathan was promoted to head the Silvan Ridge winemaking team.
While at Silvan Ridge, Jonathan established his own brand, J. Scott Cellars and in 2013, he moved into a new winemaking warehouse facility and J. Scott Cellars became his sole winemaking focus.
In 2020, Jonathan opened J. Scott Cellars on 5th, a upscale wine bar and tasting room located in The Market District of downtown Eugene, Oregon. The J. Scott Cellars brand features an extensive menu of extraordinary tasting wines of the Pacific Northwest, with 18 current and past vintages receiving the coveted 90 Pts and above from national publication, “Wine Enthusiast”!
Jonathan has also produced 24 current and past vintages for StoneRiver Vineyards. 22 of these wines have accumulated a total of 45 gold, double gold, platinum and "Best of Class" awards from Pacific Northwest, National and International wine competitions. Truly, a remarkable achievement and one attributable to Jonathan’s unique winemaking philosophy and skills.
From all of us at StoneRiver Vineyards and from an ever growing list of StoneRiver wine enthusiasts who love your wines, "Thanks, Jonathan, for a great job!"
When in Eugene be sure and drop by and say hello to Jonathan and his great team. J Scott Cellars
