Stoller Family Estate Grows Management Team
To match growth over the last four years, Stoller Family Estate has hired two new employees and promoted two others. Jason Tosch has been named to vineyard manager and Michelle Kaufmann to communications director. Additionally, Ben Howe has been promoted to winemaker and Austin Raz to digital brand manager.
“Jason and Michelle bring strong knowledge and expertise to our team,” said Gary Mortensen, president of Stoller Family Estate. “Furthermore, the promotions of Ben and Austin strengthen our extraordinary management team, allowing us to continue advancing Stoller’s legacy as an innovative company that produces exceptional wines.”
A native of Oregon’s Tualatin Valley, Jason has made his career farming premium quality wine grapes in the Willamette Valley, most recently at Anne Amie Vineyards. He has served in leadership roles for the Oregon wine industry’s wine research and sustainability focused communities. Jason earned his degree in horticulture from Oregon State University, focusing on small fruits and berries. His high level of industry involvement led his alma mater to honor Jason with the College of Agricultural Sciences Luminary Award for early professional accomplishment in 2010. And, in 2016 the Oregon Wine Board presented him with the Outstanding Industry Service Award.
Michelle, a Portland, Oregon native, earned her degree in journalism from the University of Oregon, focusing on public relations and communications. She most recently served as communications manager for the Oregon Wine Board, a semi-independent state agency dedicated to marketing, research and education initiatives that help Oregon wineries and vineyards throughout the state. Michelle has been involved with key media related initiatives in the Oregon wine community including the International Pinot Noir Celebration. In her new role, Michelle will oversee all media relations and communications efforts.
Since joining Stoller Family Estate in 2015, Ben has been instrumental in helping the director of winemaking, Melissa Burr, grow the winery’s production without compromising quality, skills developed when working at one of Oregon’s largest wineries. In his new role, Ben will oversee day-to-day operations at the winery facility and help lay the groundwork for continued growth with improved efficiencies.
Austin Raz joined the Stoller Family Estate team in 2016 as marketing assistant. Having worked for two of the world’s most influential brands, Nike and MTV, and studying new media communications at Oregon State University, Austin has proven dynamic with new media insights. In his new role, Austin will act as the in-house technical producer, growing the winery’s content creation and development.