Our Story
Our Story

The History of Eminent Domaine

The name, Eminent Domaine, reflects our experience with the legal term, eminent domain, our dedication to the Oregon wine industry, and our love of the wines produced in our region.

In 2002, Jeff was compelled to sell an investment property to the City of Portland/TriMet under the guise of eminent domain. Ultimately, the property was claimed with compensation much lower than market rate and was used for purposes other than the greater good, as the law requires. However, out of this unfortunate experience came a chance to pursue a new opportunity; making his own wine. Re-investing in a small piece of land in the coveted Ribbon Ridge AVA, with plans for a vineyard and more, the adventure began.

Beginning with just 150 cases of Pinot Noir in 2006, the label steadily grew, and by 2011, the first estate vintage was bottled. After opening a tasting room on the property in 2016, plans began for a winery and home next door. In 2018, Jeff, his wife Heather, their children, Finch and Charley, and their dog, Benny moved to the estate.

Eminent Domaine recently grew to include a beautiful property located two miles south of the estate. In addition to planting nearly nine acres of vines in the fall of 2018, “The Little Farm” is now home to some very happy pigs, chickens, barn cats and a large vegetable garden. The “Little Farm Cottage” is nestled within the vines and has become a charming wine country vacation rental.

Eminent Domaine has allowed the Meader family to grow roots on the land and in the community. Together they pursue their passion for fine wines and farming practices of the highest caliber, in one of the most magnificent corners of the Willamette Valley. 
eminent domaine jeff

Founder / Owner

Jeff Meader

Jeff Meader began his career in the wine industry in 2002, as co-founder and general manager of Oregon Wine Services and Storage, in McMinnville, Oregon. Shipping and storing wine for many of the wineries in the greater Yamhill Valley quickly became his passion. Soon after, he also partnered with NW Wine Company to start a custom crush facility at the same location. Having a winemaker on site, he began learning about and gaining an appreciation for producing wine as well.

By 2006 he had become entrenched in the wine industry. With everything behind him regarding his experience with eminent domain, it was natural progression to re-invest in and start his own label. Purchasing land, planting a vineyard, and beginning to make his own wine, the label Eminent Domaine was born. The name being a reflection and symbol of perseverance, principals, and passion.

In addition, he started making plans to move closer to wine country. Having been brought up on a small farm in Hillsboro, Oregon, he had always wanted to go back to the land. After designing and building a winery and house on the property in 2017, he was finally able to make that happen. Jeff now lives on the estate with his wife, Heather, and their two children, Finch and Charley. Oh, and his sidekick too, the celebrity “Wine Dog”, Benny (Go Beavs).

Founder / Owner

Jeff Meader

Jeff Meader began his career in the wine industry in 2002, as co-founder and general manager of Oregon Wine Services and Storage, in McMinnville, Oregon. Shipping and storing wine for many of the wineries in the greater Yamhill Valley quickly became his passion. Soon after, he also partnered with NW Wine Company to start a custom crush facility at the same location. Having a winemaker on site, he began learning about and gaining an appreciation for producing wine as well.

By 2006 he had become entrenched in the wine industry. With everything behind him regarding his experience with eminent domain, it was natural progression to re-invest in and start his own label. Purchasing land, planting a vineyard, and beginning to make his own wine, the label Eminent Domaine was born. The name being a reflection and symbol of perseverance, principals, and passion.

In addition, he started making plans to move closer to wine country. Having been brought up on a small farm in Hillsboro, Oregon, he had always wanted to go back to the land. After designing and building a winery and house on the property in 2017, he was finally able to make that happen. Jeff now lives on the estate with his wife, Heather, and their two children, Finch and Charley. Oh, and his sidekick too, the celebrity “Wine Dog”, Benny (Go Beavs).

Founder / Owner

Heather Meader

In 2008, Heather Meader viewed the property that would soon become the Eminent Domaine Estate for the first time. Looking out at a field of waist-high grass with her family, she never imagined how the next decade would transform the property, their business, and their lives.

Despite knowing next to nothing about wine or the industry in general, Heather became the first salesperson for Eminent Domaine. Marketing directly to stores and restaurants in the Portland area, she was grateful to the people who gave her a chance when all she had to offer was a single Pinot Noir from an unknown label. Fast forward to today, and you’ll see her jumping in wherever needed—from the tasting room, to the office, to the sorting line, and beyond.

Heather is a graduate of Huxley College of Environmental Studies at Western Washington University, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Planning & Policy. When she’s not helping with Eminent Domaine, you’ll likely find her tending to her flowers, the girls, or driving down the road singing like nobody can hear her… or at least hoping.

Founder / Owner

Heather Meader

In 2008, Heather Meader viewed the property that would soon become the Eminent Domaine Estate for the first time. Looking out at a field of waist-high grass with her family, she never imagined how the next decade would transform the property, their business, and their lives.

Despite knowing next to nothing about wine or the industry in general, Heather became the first salesperson for Eminent Domaine. Marketing directly to stores and restaurants in the Portland area, she was grateful to the people who gave her a chance when all she had to offer was a single Pinot Noir from an unknown label. Fast forward to today, and you’ll see her jumping in wherever needed—from the tasting room, to the office, to the sorting line, and beyond.

Heather is a graduate of Huxley College of Environmental Studies at Western Washington University, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Planning & Policy. When she’s not helping with Eminent Domaine, you’ll likely find her tending to her flowers, the girls, or driving down the road singing like nobody can hear her… or at least hoping.
eminent domaine camille

General Manager, team member since 2016

Camille Stabler

Camille Stabler, General Manager at Eminent Domaine, has worked with Jeff and Heather since the Spring of 2016, joining the small team to open the new tasting room and manage the wine club. Previous to working in the wine industry, Camille’s academic and professional career was geared to fine arts and African economic development—a path that took her to South Africa, Ghana and Mozambique for multiple years.  Ultimately, she fell in love with a winemaker, Merritt, whose passion for Oregon pinot noir and chardonnay led them directly to the Ribbon Ridge AVA.  Camille and Merritt purchased the farm directly across from Eminent Domaine’s Estate in 2013 and moved to Oregon in the summer of 2014 to start their own small vineyard and farm. Wanting to get a more hands-on understanding of what exactly she was supposed to be doing in Oregon, Camille decided to work as a harvest intern for Patricia Green Cellars, an amazing experience that introduced her to the nitty-gritty realities of winemaking and some wonderful friends. After working in the cellar for several harvests, Camille made the transition into sales and hospitality at Soter Vineyards.

Ultimately it was her friendship and camaraderie with the Meaders (not to mention the easy commute) that made her eager to work for the growing brand of Eminent Domaine. While her background is seemingly unrelated to the wine industry, Camille’s passion for adventure, living in beautiful places, and connecting to new people made her transition into the world of farming, hospitality and wine seamless.

One of her favorite work memories is receiving a panicked call from Jeff informing her that we had scored 96 points on the 2014 Reserve, and that she had to “SHUT DOWN THE WEBSITE!!!” Dressed in her PJs and working in the yard, she ran across the street in her slippers to manage the situation. 

General Manager, team member since 2016

Camille Stabler

Camille Stabler, General Manager at Eminent Domaine, has worked with Jeff and Heather since the Spring of 2016, joining the small team to open the new tasting room and manage the wine club. Previous to working in the wine industry, Camille’s academic and professional career was geared to fine arts and African economic development—a path that took her to South Africa, Ghana and Mozambique for multiple years. Ultimately, she fell in love with a winemaker, Merritt, whose passion for Oregon pinot noir and chardonnay led them directly to the Ribbon Ridge AVA. Camille and Merritt purchased the farm directly across from Eminent Domaine’s Estate in 2013 and moved to Oregon in the summer of 2014 to start their own small vineyard and farm. Wanting to get a more hands-on understanding of what exactly she was supposed to be doing in Oregon, Camille decided to work as a harvest intern for Patricia Green Cellars, an amazing experience that introduced her to the nitty-gritty realities of winemaking and some wonderful friends. After working in the cellar for several harvests, Camille made the transition into sales and hospitality at Soter Vineyards.

Ultimately it was her friendship and camaraderie with the Meaders (not to mention the easy commute) that made her eager to work for the growing brand of Eminent Domaine. While her background is seemingly unrelated to the wine industry, Camille’s passion for adventure, living in beautiful places, and connecting to new people made her transition into the world of farming, hospitality and wine seamless.

One of her favorite work memories is receiving a panicked call from Jeff informing her that we had scored 96 points on the 2014 Reserve, and that she had to “SHUT DOWN THE WEBSITE!!!” Dressed in her PJs and working in the yard, she ran across the street in her slippers to manage the situation. 

Tasting Room Manager, team member since 2019

Phil Amaya

When Phil and his wife, Lisa, moved their family to the Chehalem Valley in 2016, they had no idea how much they would fall in love with the area and the bounty of fine wine found within a short distance of their home. Being adventurous by nature, Phil and Lisa started exploring the area by bike. In 2019 they began leading wine tours by bike with their new business, Wine de Roads.

During preparation for this new business and during the first season of operation, Phil grew even more in love with everything about wine and wine country. He found himself constantly talking with his favorite tasting room associates and winemakers about all things related to the industry.

His chapter with Eminent Domaine began during a fortuitous conversation with Jeff in a school parking lot while they were both waiting to pick up their kids. Jeff was needing some extra help in the tasting room and Phil jumped on the opportunity to help out on weekends in the fall of 2019. One thing led to another and Jeff offered Phil a full-time position. How could he say no? After 32 years of working in Physical Therapy, Phil left his former career the same week in March of 2020 that the State of Oregon temporarily closed all wine tasting rooms due to COVID 19. Perfect timing right? Fortunately, during that time, Jeff was able to keep Phil busy in the vineyard, office, winery and with projects at the “Little Farm”. These experiences all helped Phil to better understand the ins and outs of the operations of Eminent Domaine.

Phil is very grateful to all the people he has gotten to know in the industry who have taken the time to share their knowledge and expertise! He is excited to be part of the Eminent Domaine team and make your visit exceptional!

Tasting Room Manager, team member since 2019

Phil Amaya

When Phil and his wife, Lisa, moved their family to the Chehalem Valley in 2016, they had no idea how much they would fall in love with the area and the bounty of fine wine found within a short distance of their home. Being adventurous by nature, Phil and Lisa started exploring the area by bike. In 2019 they began leading wine tours by bike with their new business, Wine de Roads.

During preparation for this new business and during the first season of operation, Phil grew even more in love with everything about wine and wine country. He found himself constantly talking with his favorite tasting room associates and winemakers about all things related to the industry.

His chapter with Eminent Domaine began during a fortuitous conversation with Jeff in a school parking lot while they were both waiting to pick up their kids. Jeff was needing some extra help in the tasting room and Phil jumped on the opportunity to help out on weekends in the fall of 2019. One thing led to another and Jeff offered Phil a full-time position. How could he say no? After 32 years of working in Physical Therapy, Phil left his former career the same week in March of 2020 that the State of Oregon temporarily closed all wine tasting rooms due to COVID 19. Perfect timing right? Fortunately, during that time, Jeff was able to keep Phil busy in the vineyard, office, winery and with projects at the “Little Farm”. These experiences all helped Phil to better understand the ins and outs of the operations of Eminent Domaine.

Phil is very grateful to all the people he has gotten to know in the industry who have taken the time to share their knowledge and expertise! He is excited to be part of the Eminent Domaine team and make your visit with us exceptional!