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Shelby Perkins Harter – one of the few winemakers in the world with Lithuanian heritage. Her great-great-grandfather Aleksandras Kvietkauskas, followed by his son Antanas, emigrated to the United States in the early 20th century, where the family began a new life. Several generations later, Shelby chose an unconventional path – leaving behind a legal career in the public sector to pursue winemaking.
Her first steps began in California’s Sonoma region, where she rented a house-winery and signed an agreement with a longtime vineyard owner to care for 128-year-old ‘Zinfandel’ vines. From this came “Perkins Harter The Weight Old Vine Zinfandel” – a rare, historically significant wine, with only around 1,500 bottles produced. This limited-edition cuvée quickly drew attention to Shelby as a talented and dedicated winemaker.
Wine Style
Shelby Perkins Harter’s wines are marked by elegance, precise structure, and a vivid expression of terroir.
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Prestigious Vineyards
Shelby’s greatest pride is her own vineyard in Oregon, planted by her own hands. Carefully selected terroir, biodynamic practices, and low yields allow her to craft limited-production wines where each bottle tells a unique story – one of place, heritage, and her personal winemaking journey.
Aging and Drinking Potential
The wines are aged in traditional French oak barrels, with the proportion of new oak always kept moderate so as not to overshadow fruit purity and terroir expression. Shelby’s wines are appealing in their youth, thanks to their fruit-forward freshness, but also carry the potential to evolve beautifully with age.
