Danny

Danny Gordon

Danny Gordon is the Winemaker at Tamarack Cellars. His duties include the hands-on daily winemaking, special events participation and outside sales…

Danny Gordon is the Winemaker at Tamarack Cellars.  His duties include the hands-on daily winemaking decisions, special events participation and outside sales.  Danny grew up on the outskirts of the small town of Banks, Oregon on an 8 acre farm, about 20 miles west of Portland and just a mile down the road from Tualatin Estate Vineyards.  He would like to say he got his start in the wine business with Tualatin Estate Vineyards but while the owners were goods friends of the family he never worked for them.  He spent most of his growing up working on a row crop farm in Cornelius, Oregon.  Danny graduated from Banks High School and then Oregon State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in General Agriculture.  Shortly after graduation he moved to Eastern Oregon for work and the drier weather.  In 1999 he began work at Tamarack Cellars and has been with Tamarack Cellars ever since.  In 2000 Danny moved with his wife Carin to Walla Walla, Washington and has been enjoying the town so nice they named it twice, since.  In 2002 they became the parents of a daughter Amelia and in June of 2006, a son, Ryker.

Danny was interviewed in 1999 by the owner of Tamarack Cellars, Mr. Ron Coleman, after showing up at the winery unannounced.  After four questions from the owner it was time to get to work.  He was asked about where he grew up?  Answer: He grew up on a farm and worked on a different farm most of those years which meant he knew about hard work.  Next question was what his degree was in?  Answer:  As mentioned above it is in General Agriculture with a focus on soils and crops which has proven very helpful in the vineyards.  The third question was about forklift driving which he had many years experience doing.  Last question was did he know anything about wine?  Answer: Very little other then he enjoyed drinking it.  This answer like all the others pleased the owner with the inclination that Danny had an open mind and could be taught things fresh while not having to be untaught anything.

Through work experience, continual education and many helpful friends from the wine industry Danny has gained knowledge that lets him do his job better and with more confidence all the time.