The title ‘consultant-winemaker’ has become charged with tension, followed by whispers of ‘standardisation’, ‘sameness’, and – vilest of all – ‘marketing’. But it didn’t begin that way. When the legendary Bordeaux oenologist Émile Peynaud began consulting for wineries in the 1950s, his teachings focused on things that...
Tony Soter – the quiet consultant
Thursday 18 January 2024
• 1 min read
From Napa names such as Dalla Valle, Eisele, Spottswoode and Shafer to his own label in Oregon, Tony Soter has shaped the definition of great wine on the West Coast. Above, Soter surrounded by his harvest team in 2020. See also yesterday's article and tasting notes: Soter Vineyards – a retrospective.
Become a member to continue reading
Celebrating 25 years of building the world’s most trusted wine community
In honour of our anniversary, enjoy 25% off all annual and gift memberships for a limited time.
Use code HOLIDAY25 to join our community of wine experts and enthusiasts. Valid through 1 January.
Member
$135
/year
Ideal for wine enthusiasts
- Access 285,666 wine reviews & 15,808 articles
- Access The Oxford Companion to Wine & The World Atlas of Wine
Inner Circle
$249
/year
Ideal for collectors
- Access 285,666 wine reviews & 15,808 articles
- Access The Oxford Companion to Wine & The World Atlas of Wine
- Early access to the latest wine reviews & articles, 48 hours in advance
Professional
$299
/year
For individual wine professionals
- Access 285,666 wine reviews & 15,808 articles
- Access The Oxford Companion to Wine & The World Atlas of Wine
- Early access to the latest wine reviews & articles, 48 hours in advance
- Commercial use of up to 25 wine reviews & scores for marketing
Business
$399
/year
For companies in the wine trade
- Access 285,666 wine reviews & 15,808 articles
- Access The Oxford Companion to Wine & The World Atlas of Wine
- Early access to the latest wine reviews & articles, 48 hours in advance
- Commercial use of up to 250 wine reviews & scores for marketing
More Inside information
Inside information
Yields are down but pleasure is up in 2024, with ‘drinkability’ the key word. Above, a wintry view Château de...
Inside information
The fifth of a new seven-part podcast series giving the definitive story of Jancis’s life and career so far. For...
Inside information
A look back – and forward – at the world’s oldest wine charity auction, from a former bidder.
On Sunday...
Inside information
The fourth of a new seven-part podcast series giving the definitive story of Jancis’s life and career so far. For...
More from JancisRobinson.com
Tasting articles
Gigondas has the upper hand in 2024, but both regions offer a lot of drinking pleasure. Above, the Dentelles de...
Book reviews
A compelling call to really look at your wine before you drink it, and appreciate the power of colour.
The...
Tasting articles
Plenty of drinking pleasure on offer in 2024 – and likely without a long wait. The team at Clos du...
Nick on restaurants
A daughter revives memories of her parents’ much-loved Chinese restaurants.
The surname Poon has long associations with the world of...
Free for all
What do you get the wine lover who already has everything? Membership of JancisRobinson.com of course! (And especially now, when...
Free for all
A wide range of delicious reds for drinking and sharing over the holidays. A very much shorter version of this...
Wines of the week
A rare Austrian variety revived and worthy of a place at the table. From €13.15, £20.10, $24.19.
It was pouring...
Tasting articles
The fine sparkling-wine producers of Oregon are getting organised. Above, Lytle-Barnett’s Windfall vineyard in the Eola-Amity Hills, Oregon (credit: Lester...