Sofía Torres-McKay

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There’s a certain kind of story you hear again and again in Dundee, but once in a while one stands apart. This one begins far from Oregon and unfolds through risk, reinvention, and a deep belief in building something lasting. For Sofía Torres-McKay, that path leads from Mexico City to the heart of the Willamette Valley, where she and her family planted more than vines, they planted a future.

Thank you, Sofía, for sharing your story of courage, community, and the quiet, powerful work of turning land into a meaningful legacy.

Read more of Sofía's Story

Wine Barrel Art

The wine barrel art that represents Sofía Torres-McKay’ story is located at the trailhead of Harvey Creek Trail off of Viewmont Drive. The barrel was hand-painted by local artist Armon Barrows.

 

Harvey Creek Trail
191 Northwest Viewmont Drive, Dundee, OR 97115

Sofía’s Story


HOW IT STARTED

  • I was born in Mexico City. I spent 19 years working in the tech industry before transitioning into wine. In 2002, I moved to the Silicon Valley California to pursue my corporate career in the Tech industry. I met Ryan McKay (originally from Oregon), back in 2001 through work and we married in 2005, in 2011 purchased 10 acres in the Dundee Hills AVA (Willamette Valley, Oregon).  We have two amazing boys now in College Mateo and Jonathan McKay.  

    My journey to Dundee began with a dream shared with Ryan, Ryan always expressed his desire to be a farmer and I wanted to build a business, I did not know we would ended growing grapes but everything’s started developing with that intention. Back in 2006 Ryan got a promotion to work in Toronto and we moved there for a year then we moved to Vancouver BC. We lived in beautiful Canada for 5 years, in 2009 our intention to build a life grounded in nature, family, and culture and be connected with what we have now got really serious, even not knowing anything about wine growing we sold our house in Canada and invest our life savings in 10 acres of land to plant roots and start a new life.

    The adventure started in 2011 when we stumbled across this incredible vineyard site that was previously farmed for hazelnuts, cherries, walnuts and prunes. Our family was visiting the Willamette Valley in search of the best ground for Pinot Noir, when our route serendipitously took us up Worden Hill and we discovered a "For Sale" sign that had evaded our long running search.  We immediately sold our home in North Vancouver, BC to move to Oregon and pursue our love and passion for wine growing and farming.  

    We fell in love with our new home sweet home, a 10 acre farm perched in the Dundee Hills overlooking the Willamette Valley.  The soon to be vineyard had been cleared of the hazelnut orchard and was ready to be planted. Ryan being an Oregonian had long been looking for a great opportunity to return to his roots in the hills of Oregon, and we buy  a premier site in the Dundee Hills AVA where we can follow our passion for wine growing.

    We kept our daily jobs in the IT industry in order to invest in their vineyard. In 2017 I decided to leave the IT Industry and focused 100% in the wine family business now Cramoisi Vineyard.  We are excited yet humbled to be in the Dundee Hills, the Mecca of the Pinot Noir.  Living few steps from Pinot Noir pioneers such as Jim Maresh , Vivian Weber, and next door neighbor Dick Erath and wonderful community.

  • I think I fell in love first with the community, when we were asking questions about how to start our project, planting our vineyard, people were very welcoming and open to share information, they warned us that will not be easy, we spent all our life savings and had two little kids by then,  but we were very committed and excited to be part of this and I wanted to learn everything about wine growing and wine making. I was juggling a busy life of having a busy day job in Tech traveling to different places, raising my kids and starting this journey it was rough buy exciting I have the best partner we both were working together to make it happen. But my very first sparked was when I got the keys of our home in my hands, I was very afraid but excited, I felt same feeling when I had my fist son Mateo, and the Doctor gave him in my arms. I was so excited but not knowing anything about being a mom starting something new and the same not knowing anything about becoming a farmer, I still feel those moments vividly.

  • My heritage plays a defining role in my work. I approach the vineyard with a blend of discipline, respect, love, intuition, and deep cultural pride, it is not just a business it is our love and respect to the life we built together, and we love to share with others. I respect and understand the hard work that has to happen from vineyard to glass, the beauty of traditions I can share to represent the voices of my Hispanic community and community in general, the advantage I have to be able to speak English and Spanish and be able to share culture and connect with my vineyards stewards and others honoring the earth together, working with intention and uplifting community shape every step I take as a winegrower and leader in the industry. I feel honor to be able to do what I do every day.

BUILDING SOMETHING MEANINGFUL

  • Cramoisi Vineyard was born from our desire to create something authentic, a legacy for next generations, a vineyard that reflects both the beauty of the Dundee Hills as the land of many and the soul and hands of my Hispanic heritage. Cramoisi represents a vibrant energy and power of the land and our passion inside each bottle of wine.

    I hope that when people experience Cramoisi wines, they feel the intention behind them: purity, respect for nature, and the story of an immigrant woman building something with heart. When they take a bottle of our wines, they take the place, the people and a vision, not just wine.

  • My work is guided by values of respect, resilience, love, transparency, and stewardship. Cramoisi is farmed organically and biodynamically, honoring both the environment and the vineyard stewards and us who tend it.

    Our land (tierra) is a living organism that must be nurtured. My husband and I prioritize organic and biodynamic farming as a way to honor the land and future generations. I see vineyard work as an opportunity to connect with others. The energy and the work is with corazón, with love. I encourage my stewards to take care of the land with intention, pride and patience, respecting Mother Nature’s rhythms.

    Growing in a culture where community is everything, especially for immigrants, I treat vineyard stewards as partners, not as labor. I use my voice to advocate for them, to teach them, and I am proud of what they do and who they are. I tell them that. I recognize the work and I see them.

  • My cultural influences shine through in our philosophy: wine should tell a story of place, people, and purpose.

    When people visit our tasting room, the experience is with calidez (warmth) and generosity, and we share the story of the people involved. Our wines are an expression of the land, the people, and Mother Nature. Growing grapes is a reflection of care, love, and authenticity rather than manipulation.

    As a Latina, my philosophy centers on grit, courage, and opening doors to others who look like me, while working with the community as one. There is no division of race or titles, but instead a shared sense of love and respect as we work together to create something unique and beautiful.

AHIVOY: EMPOWERING VINEYARD STEWARDS

  • As one of the few Latina winery owners in Oregon, I witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by vineyard workers, many of them immigrants, who contribute so much to the wine industry yet often lack opportunities for professional advancement. Along with two other co-founders, I created AHIVOY (Asociación Hispana de la Industria del Vino en Oregon y Comunidad) to strengthen the Oregon wine community by empowering vineyard stewards through education.

    I coined the term “vineyard stewards,” first used on my labels in 2014, and AHIVOY adopted the term, now widely used in the industry to recognize and uplift the work our stewards do on the land.

    My hope is that people understand this truth: vineyard stewards are the backbone of the wine industry. Their knowledge, strength, and dedication, working together, is what makes Oregon wine possible.

  • AHIVOY has grown into one of the most respected nonprofit organizations in the Oregon wine community, graduating dozens of students who have moved into new roles, improved their confidence, and become leaders in the vineyards where they work.

    Sofía often recalls moments such as a student proudly asking questions and realizing that the work they do in the vineyards influences the wines we make in the Willamette Valley. They feel proud, they feel more confident sharing what they are learning through the AHIVOY wine professional training program. Some are even buying grapes and experiencing what it takes to make wine. These moments are a reminder of why AHIVOY exists.

    AHIVOY has continued to evolve by providing ongoing education in partnership with Chemeketa College and Linfield University. It now includes a mentorship program and an English social club led by one of our graduates, Mario Fandiño.

CONNECTION TO DUNDEE

  • Dundee is more than a place, it is a community built on collaboration, respect for the land, and generational care. The landscape inspires my farming, and it brings people together. I love serving my community as a volunteer on different boards, and I see myself as both a steward and storyteller for the region.

  • For me, Dundee is my home, my second roots, a new life that I created with my husband and kids. It is Ryan’s roots and his opportunity to come back home as a native Oregonian. He shared his love for Oregon, and together we made it our home.

    Dundee represents love, another chance to reimagine ourselves, and an opportunity to teach my kids life values. It shows them that everything is possible if they put their heart, passion, commitment into their work and help others.

  • I cherish the balance between innovation and tradition in Dundee, and I hope the community continues to protect the character that makes it special by working together to protect its people.

    Its agricultural heritage, diversity of voices, and shared commitment to the land and to the consumers who come to enjoy our places and wine experiences are essential to preserve. It is not just about one person, it is about the entire community, all included.

VISION & LEGACY

  • I hope that when people experience Cramoisi wines, they feel the intention behind them: purity, respect for nature, and the story of an immigrant woman building something with heart.

    When they learn about AHIVOY, I hope they see a movement, one that celebrates opportunity, dignity, and the future of vineyard stewards and community all working together for something wonderful and sustainable.

  • My success, as Sofía, and the work I do with my husband and kids, who are now involved in our business, is defined not by accolades or wine scores, but by impact: elevating our community, supporting the people involved in our craft as winegrowers and winemakers, and leaving the land healthier for the next generation.

  • My message to future winemakers and leaders is simple: honor the people who make your work possible. Lead with courage, love, compassion, and by example. Open doors to others, because collaboration is key.

    Learn another language so you can better connect with the people you work with. There are many excuses not to act, but you only need one reason to do it.

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