A Journey Rooted in Connection
In 2016, Orenda Winery was born from the shared vision of four friends—Samantha, Xander, Mark Bosso, and Brian Bartley. The idea took shape over glasses of Baer Ursa, inspired by the artistry Mark had witnessed firsthand as a cellar master under renowned winemaker Erica Orr. What began as a small dream quickly grew into something much bigger. Samantha and I took the leap, investing everything we had to purchase Pleasant Hill and transform that dream into a reality.
Samantha left medical school, dedicating herself full-time to learning the craft of winemaking, while I refinanced the property to fund equipment. Mark and Brian brought their expertise to our first vintages in 2016 and 2017. It was a period of uncertainty, risk, and hope. But as we tasted those early wines straight from the barrel, we knew we were crating something special.
Orenda: A Name That Connected Us to Nature
When we launched Orenda, we were inspired by the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest and a shared desire for low-intervention winemaking. The name itself, meaning “the energy connecting all things,” embodied our vision of balance, nature, and connection.
Our labels reflected this ethos, evoking the greens and blues of our surroundings. Orenda symbolized the collective spirit of the four founders and the connection between our wines, our customers, and the land. When we opened in June 2019, we were thrilled to share our work with the world.
The Evolution of Orenda
As life unfolded, the winery evolved. By the end of 2019, Mark had accepted a position as head winemaker at Westport Winery, and Brian returned to graduate school. Samantha and I found ourselves flying solo, overseeing the 2018 and 2019 vintages while stepping fully into our roles as winemakers.
It was a challenging but rewarding time. Accolades began to roll in, validating the risks we had taken. As we reflected on the journey, we also began imagining the brand we would create if it truly reflected just the two of us—our story, our history, and our passion.
A Turning Point: Redefining Our Identity
In 2021, a serendipitous encounter with members of the Iroquois people brought deeper clarity to our journey. We learned more about the cultural significance of Orenda’s name and its ties to Native American spirituality. This connection, while initially inspiring, felt increasingly distant from our personal story and intentions.
This realization, combined with the shift in our winery’s identity from a four-founder collaboration to a deeply personal endeavor between Samantha and me, led us to a decision: Orenda would end with the 2019 vintages. From the 2020 vintage onward, we would begin anew with a name and brand that spoke directly to who we are.
Introducing Alveare: The Hive
As we look to the future, we turned inward, reflecting on the stories and passions that connect us. While I was in the Peace Corps, Samantha would send me sketches on parchment paper—small tokens of connection that I pinned to the walls of my hut while tending to my beekeeping. Those moments of storytelling and creativity, paired with our shared love for honeybees, inspired our new name: Alveare, Latin for “hive.”
The hive represents community, resilience, and collaboration–all values that shape our winemaking philosophy. Each varietal under the Alveare label will feature a hand-drawn image tied to a story from our lives or our historic property. From the cattle that curiously watch our harvest to the beehives that thrive on the farm, these images will serve as a reminder of our roots and the journey that brought us here.
A New Chapter, Same Mission
The transition from Orenda to Alveare is bittersweet. Orenda allowed us to grow, take risks, and connect with an incredible community of wine lovers. But as we step into this new chapter, we do so with a renewed sense of purpose and authenticity.
The 2020 vintage marks the first wines crafted entirely by Samantha and me. These wines, and the new Alveare label, symbolize not only our dedication to quality but also our commitment to sharing our story in a way that feels true to who we are.
Looking Ahead
To our wine club members, our customers, and our community: thank you. Your support has made this journey possible, and we are excited to share what comes next. While the name Orenda may no longer adorn our bottles, the spirit of connection and storytelling lives on in Alveare.
Here’s to the next chapter–and yes, there will absolutely be more White Malbec.
With gratitude,
Samantha & Xander