The People

Owners

Saffron Fields Vineyard is owned by Dr. Angela Summers and Sanjeev Lahoti, both chemical engineers, who have made Houston, Texas their home for the past 21 years.   Angela, originally from Jackson, Mississippi, and Sanjeev, who grew up in Mumbai, India, had their eye on the Pacific Northwest as their next home.

As wine enthusiasts, Angela and Sanjeev are passionate about Pinot Noir.   They made their first excursion to the Willamette Valley during Thanksgiving week in 2003, not knowing much about the area aside from the fact that Oregon was the place for great Pinot Noir.  On a prodigious, sunny day – rare for November – they met with a realtor to look at some properties with vineyard potential.   In particular, they visited a grass seed farm on Laughlin Road that made quite an impression.  Determined to focus on doing their research, in order to make an informed, deliberate decision rather than an impulsive one, they moved on to look at a few more vineyard sites, some already planted and some undeveloped.  Yet, they kept thinking about the first site.  Four months later, they were proud owners of a grass seed farm with vineyard potential.

In the course of transition, Angela and Sanjeev would visit their property a few times a year with their two Yorkies, Rosemary and Lily.  They stayed in a small shack on the property they endearingly called the “caretakers cottage.”  In reality, it was a cold, concrete bunker that never reached over 60 degrees F, which they decided would be a great place to store wine, but not a very good place for humans or dogs to reside.  After the novelty of just visiting the property had worn off, they installed a manufactured home on site – offering central heat and other modern conveniences.

In 2007, they planted the first ten acres of their Pinot Noir vineyard with the Pommard clone, followed by four acres each of Dijon 777, 115 and Wädenswil clones in 2009, the same year of their first harvest.  The grapes were purchased by Tony Rynders.  The intent was to be growers for a few years, however, after barrel tasting the first wine from their property, they changed the business plan and asked Tony to make them fifty cases in 2010.  Thus began Saffron Fields Vineyard wines.

In addition to cultivating a vineyard, Angela intends to plant a beautiful, sustainably maintained farmstead, including an orchard, a vegetable garden and more.  She is passionate about her garden and art collection, and is excited to incorporate both of these passions into the property with a landscape designed by Hoichi Kurisu, former director of the Portland Japanese Garden and designer of some of the best Japanese gardens in the country.  The garden art is still being discussed.

Winemaker

Tony Rynders began working in the wine business in 1989 at Mirassou Vineyards in San Jose, CA.  While he started in the lab, Rynders ultimately finished this experience in the cellar making wine.  Convinced this was his calling, he attended the University of California at Davis and obtained a Master’s degree in Enology and Vitculture in 1992.

Rynders has held permanent winemaking positions at Argyle Winery (two years) as assistant winemaker, Hogue Cellars (3 years) red winemaker, and Domaine Serene Winery/Rockblock Cellars (10 years) as head winemaker.

During his tenure at Domaine Serene, Rynders became one of the most highly acclaimed winemakers in America.  He obtained more 90+ point scores from the Wine Spectator magazine than any other winemaker during this period of time.

After leaving Domaine Serene, Rynders launched his own successful wine business called Tony Rynders Consulting and subsequently Tour de Force Wine Company, which provides custom crush services.   In 2008, he also developed and launched his own label, Tendril, with a focus on Oregon Pinot Noir.

Vineyard Management Team

Results Partners LLC is a full-service Vineyard Development and Vineyard Management Company that is producing top quality grapes for the region’s best wineries while maintaining the integrity of the vineyards with sustainable farming practices. A team-driven management style allows to offer more collective vineyard experience, know-how and personalized service.  Practical experience is complemented by deep academic backgrounds and involvement in many industry organizations.