Meet the Cru
Don Lange
An avid singer, songwriter and sometimes poet, Don Lange is our Executive Winemaker and founder of Lange Estate. When he’s not in the cellar or his recording studio, he can be found along the starkly beautiful banks of the Deschutes River, fly-rod in hand.
Wendy Lange
Our Founder and Managing Partner, Wendy Lange has guided our team for the past 36 years. From the start, she has championed the winery’s environmental initiatives while shaping its strategic future. Her natural creativity and focus percolates into all things Lange, from managing the business office to oversight of package design and our hospitality center, Wendy’s keen eye and appreciation for beauty are woven throughout the Estate.
Jesse Lange
Jesse Lange formally joined the winery in 2004 after harvest and winemaking stints in Santa Barbara and New Zealand. As Winemaker, he is actively engaged in the management of our estate vineyards and works closely with our longstanding vineyard partners.
Get in touch.
Get in touch, say hello, our team is here to answer your questions.
Bill Matthes
A graduate of the US Naval Academy and former submarine officer, Bill Matthes found his true calling in the wine industry. Now a 28+ year veteran (of the wine industry), Bill brings a high degree of passion and knowledge tempered by discipline to the role of National Sales Manager.
Daniel Papa
Assistant winemaker Dan Papa moved to Oregon in 2009 with the hopes of working in the wine industry—he was welcomed to the Lange team in 2010, and has been an indispensable member of our cellar team ever since. When he’s not racking large volumes of wine, he can be found exploring PDX’s lively food scene with his wife and three children.
Hannah Miller
A Willamette Valley native, Hannah Miller’s family set down roots in Dundee in the late 1980s. In addition to the pinot noir, pinot gris, pinot blanc, and chardonnay her family also farms hazelnuts. After swimming competitively for fourteen years, Hannah worked harvests in New Zealand and Australia prior to her post as Consumer Sales Director.
Our Talented Vineyard & Cellar Crew
Producing Lange wines would simply not happen without these three gentlemen – Alfredo, Enrique, and Carlos. They seamlessly go from stewarding the vines through each growing season, to the cellar for harvest and bottling, and everything in between. All three are AHIVOY graduates and our longest tenured team members. They are men of many talents, and to say they are hard-working would be putting it lightly. Photo credit @lelanea.
Ali Barron
Adminstrative Director, Ali Barron, brings with her a background in fine dining and events management. When she’s not directing our onsite operations, she can be found rustling up meals for our harvest crew, working in her garden, or relaxing at home with a good book and a glass of pinot noir.
Adriane Davey
Adriane has a background in orchestrating fine wine and culinary experiences in Australia’s capital city, Canberra. After attending the Australian National University with a focus on ancient history and English, she returned to her native Oregon. As our Events Manager, she has a passion for consumer education while elevating guest experiences both onsite and virtually.
RONNIE PETERSON
A proud graduate of University of Minnesota, Ronnie Peterson is our amazing Events & Hospitality Assistant. Brimming with positivity and a ready smile, Ronnie is fluent in Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese and enjoys throwing ceramics on the potter’s wheel, Sci-Fi and fantasy novels, “bad” chain Chinese food, and a good glass of wine.
Caitlin Zitko
After beginning her hospitality career in Napa Valley, Caitlin Zitko first joined Lange as our Hospitality Lead, and has now moved into the role of Marketing Assistant. She is passionate about the finer things in life, including art and craftsmanship, curated cuisine, and of course, beautiful wines. When she isn’t sharing the inside scoop on all things Lange, she enjoys exploring Oregon with her partner and spending time at home with their two cats.
ALEXis GodWin
Alexis Godwin has the critical role of ensuring that all our customer’s packages are sent on time and that our inventory is kept in tip-top shape. A devotee of a well-brewed cup of tea, Alexis brings cheerfulness and proficiency to the role of Wine Club and Shipping Coordinator.
Chris Skaugset
Chris joined our team in 2023 as our Tasting Room Manager. Chris grew up in the town of Central Point in Southern Oregon. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in History from Southern Oregon University and the University of Oregon respectively, and a Master’s degree in Library Science. He spent 19 years as Library Director with the Longview Public Library in Longview, Washington. He discovered a passion for wine about eight years ago and has since obtained his WSET 1 and 2 certifications. He has been married for 37 years to his wife Angela, and they have a 29-year-old son named Zachary. In his spare time enjoys walking, hiking, listening to jazz on vinyl, cooking, doing puzzles, and, of course, reading.
Jamie Ruggiero
Jamie joins us after a long professional career in healthcare. Now a part of our Wine Club & Shipping Team, she helps keep orders shipping smoothly and club member questions answered. Jamie lives locally with her husband and three cheerful Golden Retrievers. She enjoys spending time with her kids, making gourmet Italian meals, and baking amazing confections that we all revel in helping make disappear.
Diane Shimshak
Diane has been with Lange since 2014! She is a weekday warrior and currently resides on a farm with her husband, Mitchell, pup Lily, and two horses, Flicka & Ares. Everyone is convinced Diane lives in the Garden of Eden, as she brings in the most beautiful Dahlias to grace our tasting room each season. She also makes a superb pie, and her Zucchini bread is to die for. She loves us enough to share her baked goods! Diane has extensive wine knowledge and is a great source for learning!
Lavonne Reisdorf
LaVonne has been with Lange since 2015! She is originally from Minnesota and still has a bit of the accent. She is the kindest person you will ever meet and has the best hospitality heart. LaVonne is retired from a career in healthcare and enjoys working with us in the tasting room part-time for events and during the busy summer season. She has a daughter and a son and is one of many siblings. Whenever the staff hears LaVonne is on premise, it’s a mini family reunion.
Heather ToLand
Heather joined the Lange team in 2018 and has an extensive background in WV Winery experience. She currently works as a Biology professor at Chemeketa Community College and resides in Sherwood with her Husband, Jack, and pups.
Heather currently works part-time in the tasting room during our hopping Summer season, and for special events. She loves all things wine, and is a wealth of knowledge!
Miyuki Yoshida
Miyuki has lived many lives! Business immigration lawyer, hot springs spa developer, certified saké sommelier, and hospitality associate. Miyuki joined our team in 2020 and currently works part-time for events and the occasional weekend. She is fluent in Japanese and holds the WSET Level 2 Award in wines.
Structure. Balance. Texture.
Structure, balance, texture is our mantra at Lange Estate. These three words guide all that we do, from the vineyard to the tasting room—our team works tirelessly to create wines of great harmony and precision.