Today we’d like to introduce you to Paul Durant.
Hi Paul, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Durant has roots that run deep in the Willamette Valley. Five generations deep, to be exact. My family originally farmed walnuts, hazelnuts, Italian prunes, and cherries. My parents, Ken and Penny Durant, were among the first families to plant wine grapes in the Dundee Hills back in 1973, driven by a pioneering spirit and my father’s passion as a home winemaker. What began as 16 acres has grown into a 135-acre farm with 75 acres of vineyards, 13 acres of olive trees, and a flock of sheep. It’s a true working farm in the heart of Oregon wine country.
In 2008, we expanded into olive oil production, founding Durant Olive Mill, Oregon’s only commercial olive mill. We planted our first 2,000 olive trees in 2005 and installed a small Italian mill, launching what has become one of the most exciting parts of our story. In 2024 we completed a major mill upgrade. The mill today is truly state of the art and best in class. Today, Durant is home to the Durant Vineyards Winery and Tasting Room, Durant Olive Mill, the Farm Shop, and private lodging at Stonycrest Cottage. It’s a gathering place for wine lovers, culinary enthusiasts, and anyone who wants to experience the beauty of Oregon wine country in a genuine, unhurried way.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
My parents faced the gauntlet in the early days: figuring out the right clones, row orientation, and equipment… all while holding down full-time jobs outside the farm. Evenings and weekends were when things got done. That era of Oregon winemaking was defined by collaboration and shared struggle, and it forged a spirit of community that still defines our region today.
More recently, we’ve faced modern challenges like wildfire smoke, excessive heat and frost. The 2020 vintage brought smoke impact that led us to make a creative pivot. We turned affected Pinot Noir into a limited-run BBQ sauce rather than compromise our standards. It’s that same commitment to quality over convenience that has guided us for five decades. We’ve faced climate events, shifting markets, and different trends in the wine industry. Every obstacle has pushed us to diversify, innovate, and deepen our story.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Durant is a place where wine, food, and the land come together in a way that’s genuinely rare. We produce 100% estate-grown wines: elegant Pinot Noirs that are block-designated and clone-designated, bright Chardonnays inspired by Burgundy, expressive Sauvignon Blancs, Pinot Gris, and sparkling wines. Our winemaking philosophy is simple: let the fruit and the site speak for themselves, and get out of the way. We pride ourselves in being unpretentious and welcoming to all.
Beyond wine, our olive oil has become a true point of pride. We grow and mill multiple varietals, including Arbequina, Koroneiki, Frantoio, and Tuscan. Durant’s olive oils have earned recognition as award-winning examples of what Oregon can produce. Our annual Olio Nuovo Festival, inspired by the traditional harvest celebrations of southern Italy, draws visitors from across the region each November to experience freshly milled oil at its most vibrant.
What I’m most proud of is what Durant has become as a culinary destination: a place where you can taste estate wines alongside house-milled olive oils, take a guided ATV tour through the vineyard, wander through lavender fields and olive groves, attend a wreath-making workshop, or simply sit and enjoy the view. We’ve worked hard to make this place feel welcoming, educational, and nourishing for wine enthusiasts, families, and curious first-time visitors alike.
What matters most to you? Why?
What matters most to us is authenticity and quality. To our land, our community, and the people who visit us. We are stewards of a remarkable piece of Oregon, and everything we do should honor that. The Durant family has farmed the valley for five generations, and our intention is always to leave it better than we found it.
I also deeply believe in the power of education and openness when building community. Whether that means sharing what we’ve learned about wine and olive oil production along the way, hosting guests who have never tasted single-varietal extra virgin olive oil, or welcoming wine lovers to meet the winemakers face-to-face at events like our annual Sauvage festival, creating moments of connection is an important part of what we do here at Durant every day.
Pricing:
- We always want our products to be accessible. We offer a wide range of not only products and prices, but also experiences. One of the great things about coming here is that we always have complimentary olive oil tasting or just come to property, walk the lavender fields or nature trail and leave feeling just a bit better than when you arrived.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://durantoregon.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/durant_oregon/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/durantoregon
