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Forest Grove, OR - Oregon Pinot Noir veteran of three decades makes the leap to Japan’s national beverage as Steve Vuylsteke takes the helm of pioneering American saké brewery SakéOne.

A native Oregonian, Steve’s family founded Oak Knoll Winery – one of Oregon’s pioneer wineries – in 1970.  He worked in the family operation helping where he could and then in 1981, formally joined the family winery as Sales & Marketing Director and ultimately took over as President & CEO in 1988.  Throughout the 1980’s and ‘90s, Steve tirelessly worked to promote Oregon wine as a product and Oregon wine country as a destination.  During these years he served as Board President of the Washington County Visitors Association, Board President of the Washington County Winery Association, Board President of the International Pinot Noir Celebration, Steering Committee Chairman of the Salud Oregon Pinot Noir Auction, and as Treasurer of the Oregon Wine Marketing Coalition.

In 2002 Steve moved on to Erath Vineyards Winery as its General Manager/Sales Manager.  Four years later the winery had nearly tripled in size, and was purchased by Ste. Michelle Wine Estates in 2006.

After spending a year consulting for several Oregon wineries he joined Corus Estates & Vineyards in 2008 as General Manager of its 12^th & Maple Wine Company – a state-of-the-art custom crush facility in Dundee, Oregon.

With the desire to return to a leadership position, Steve accepted the role as President & CEO of SakéOne in August, 2009. His experience and talents honed in the Oregon wine industry provide a strong foundation to lead Oregon’s saké brewer as it expands to meet growing demand. 

“Saké today is much like Oregon Pinot in is early days,” noted Vuylsteke. “You have saké enthusiasts, explorers and hardcore fanatics. Most fanatics are stuck in a “only from Japan” mentality just like wine fanatics were once locked into a “only from Burgundy” when talking about Pinot Noir. The fact is that there is little great saké made in American but it does exist and we are making it here in Oregon. Much like Pinot Noir, craft beer, coffee and tea, people can look to Oregon for premium craft saké. I am honored to join this team and excited about the advancements we’ll make for our own saké let alone saké’s perception in America.”

SakeOne, is the only brewer and bottler of premium saké in America and sales its products und the Momokawa (classic styles) and Moonstone (flavor infused), and G (Genshu) brands. An American owned and operated kura (brewery), SakeOne located at 820 Elm Street, Forest Grove, OR 97116-3041. For company details please visit www.sakeone.com.