– A Label of Love –
Mad Violets symbolize many threads in the tapestry of our boutique brand and is named for our two daughters: Madeleine and Violet. They helped make the wines and tend the vines in our little Buttonfield Estate Vineyard on Chehalem Mountain where they were raised.
Also woven into our brand is the colorful beauty of wildflowers, as they welcome spring to the meadows of Buttonfield each year. So much so that Mad Violets is also the name used for the ephemeral “shooting star” flower which blooms in the Chehalem Valley in early spring.
Our label also has our favorite beneficial insect stylized into the artwork—the praying mantis. Our barrel select Pinot Noir is called “Mantis” in deference to this regal and elusive creature.
Mad Violets evokes wines of depth and character. Made in small batches, our wines are consistently vibrant, balanced and charming.
It requires a leap of faith to start a boutique wine brand, and Mad Violets points to our crazy courage in pouring our lives into wine bottles in order to share our art and enthusiasm with others.
~ARTIST~
– Kelly Kidneigh –
WineCrafter
“I believe wine is made in the vineyard under the direction of nature, I merely try to interpret that expression. The climate here creates distinct vintage character which allows me to craft wines which showcase the unique personality of each year. Influences of each site are encouraged to shine through and create finished wines rich in complexity. A multi-faceted tapestry of experience.
My role as a winemaker is not to “make” the wine, but rather to shepherd in the fruit and the story it’s telling; to watch, smell, taste, listen and in difficult years, guide it with a patient and gentle hand.”
– Stirling Fox –
WineGrower
Stirling has been working professionally in the Oregon wine industry since 1989. He majored in Food & Wine Science at OSU, but the vineyards became his true calling and by the mid 1990’s, he was managing the vines full time.
In 2006 he founded Stirling Wine Grapes, Inc., a vineyard management company specializing in artisan winegrapes. SWiG, as it’s affectionately known, manages meticulously farmed sites where optimal ripeness is the goal. Stirling’s commitment and passion are evident when the fruit is delivered at harvest each year. Acclaimed winemakers who respect farming primarily for quality make up his clientele, but his favorite winemaker is his wife Kelly and the Mad Violets wines they create together.
– Tenzing –
GuestGreeter
Tenzing is on the home team patrolling our Buttonfield Estate on daily basis to keep pests out and warm our hearts within. He is a Tibetan Mastiff and his other job is to greet guests who visit our tasting room where he loves to lay down in the middle of the room to be a part of our winery family.
