Instilled with the dreams of its owners, Celestial Hill is an organic boutique vineyard in Oregon’s renowned Willamette Valley, where Chris and Melissa Thomas hand-cultivate pinot noir and chardonnay grapes to produce small-batch wines in the Burgundian style. They maintain a close connection to the earth, making their home on the 52-acre property and committing themselves fully to giving the grapes and vines the attention they deserve.
The Celestial Story
Living in the Vines
Chris & Melissa Thomas sitting under their pergola with young Rosie! Summer 2020.
With the belief that fine wine starts with the soil, Celestial Hill is a certified organic estate that takes sustainable farming practices to heart. The product is a wine that becomes a natural extension of the vineyard itself: approachable, welcoming, and authentic. The moment you step foot on Celestial Hill soil, and sample our world-class, high-quality wines, you’ll understand why we’re unapologetically true to the land.
Under the Stars, On the Hill
A Truly Special Place
Celestial Hill is one of the westernmost vineyards in the foothills of the Oregon Coast Range in the Willamette Valley, where vineyards enjoy the hot, dry summers favored by pinot noir and chardonnay grapes. But it’s Celestial Hill’s proximity to the Pacific Ocean that’s responsible for the cool evening breezes that allow the grapes to remain on the vine longer. Four distinct vineyards spread across 15 acres produce purposefully low yields, marrying volcanic and oceanic sedimentary soil with subtle elevation changes to create exceptional terroir-based wines with a true sense of place.
The Celestial Team
Our winemaker
Florent-Pierre Merlier
Florent studied winemaking and vineyard management in Burgundy, graduating from the esteemed University Institute of Vine and Wine Jules Guyot in Dijon, France.
He then made wine in Burgundy and Switzerland, spending his last 16 years here in Oregon’s Willamette Valley! Though it seems Florent may have always belonged here in the PNW, as he loves the outdoors, mountain biking, mushroom hunting and hiking! He is married to American wine enthusiast, Krista, and together they have two athletic sons who play basketball here at the local McMinnville high school!
director of hospitality,
club and events
Lita Consoli
Born and raised in South Dakota, Lita has been a happy PNW transplant for nearly 17 years! The lush natural beauty, proximity to the forest and the sea and stellar wines are a few of the reasons she calls the Willamette Valley home!
Lita has had the pleasure of working in both Walla Walla and Willamette Valley wine country, loving all of the various bottles of wine in between.
She enjoys being a part of the wine world because it embodies hard work, love and a dedication to the land and community from beginning to end.
The hospitality facet of the industry is where she thrives, where she loves to meet people and welcome any newcomers to the table! She believes every bottle of wine has the potential to create an environment for lasting memories!
When she's not in the tasting room, Lita equally enjoys time outside, or in the kitchen, traveling, and being with friends and family as much as possible.
Walk with Us
Private Tours
Book a private tour of Celestial Hill Vineyard to learn more about our terroir-based wines and the passion we pour into every bottle! Stroll the vineyard, or enjoy a flight in our 3rd street tasting room.
Visit Our Estate Vineyard & Winery
Make an appointment to visit our vines and experience the authentic vineyard lifestyle through the eyes of Chris and Melissa Thomas. Our McMinnville 3rd Street tasting room offers tastings by appointment or by chance.
