Rachel R. Starr
(1944-2005)
Starr Winery
(1989-2005)

Dr. Rachel Starr’s first career was a professor of political science at Humbolt University in Arcata, CA. In the 1980’s she started “Great Wine Buys”, a retail wine shop on Portland’s NE Broadway. In 1984 she became the Oregon contact for Robert Parker, publisher of the influential Wine Advocate.

She opened a tiny winery in Linnton producing barrel-fermented Chardonnay and a Pinot Noir under the “Linnton” label. Next she partnered with Bob Hanson and opened Starr Winery, at her property on Parrett Mountain near Newberg.

Declining health forced her to close the winery after many successful years. Prior to her passing away in 2005 she was the winemaker at August Cellars in Newberg. She was also selling her own wine under the “Rachel’s Cellars” label.