As an original team of three, Laurent partnered with Danielle Andrus Montalieu and John Niemeyer to open NW Wine Co in 2003. The trio represented the best of their fields, winemaking, marketing and business development and vineyard acquisition. Together, they pioneered the Oregon industry delivering over 40 brands of well knows Oregon wines and millions of tonnes of fruit.
After years of successful collaboration, Andrus and Niemeyer offered their full support to Laurent and Robert to launch Westmount, a brand that reflects the full team’s appreciation for the great Pac NW.
Let’s learn a little bit more about these two important players.
Danielle was born and raised in the wine industry. Her first steps were taken in her family’s Pine Ridge Winery in Napa Valley. Danielle’s father, Gary Andrus, founded Pine Ridge in 1978 and was known for his Olympic speeds on the ski slope and a deep love for nature and wine chemistry.
Danielle worked, under her father’s guidance, in all aspects of Pine Ridge: from the cellar to the tasting room, and vineyard. It wasn’t until her college days in Utah, between trips to the light and fluffy powder, that she realized her strong appreciation for her wine industry foundation that her dad instilled in her.
After college, Danielle and her family moved to Oregon where she and her father started Archery Summit Winery in the hills of Dundee. Danielle managed all sales and marketing for Archery Summit, and she proved that Oregon Pinot Noirs could garner prices the likes of Old World Burgundy. Danielle pushed the envelope for the Oregon Wine industry, developing marketing and sales tactics that were instrumental growing Oregon’s presence in the national market.
Danielle’s love for the snow, the outdoors, and most importantly a love for making the place she called home better are experiences that brought her to the ownership team of Westmount. Love what you do, get outside, and make it better
John Niemeyer, an Eastern Washington native, grew up in the sleepy town of Walla Walla where he learned his turns on the nearby Anthony Lakes ski resort. Attending Washington State University put him within striking distance of the North West’s best resorts. From Mt Spokane in Washington to Schweitzer and Sun Valley in Idaho, John’s friend knew he would be ready for first chair each and every day he dedicated to the mountain.
Following a brief post-collegiate stint in Portland, Niemeyer returned to his hometown as a builder and real estate developer because he enjoyed both working with his hands and the challenge that development presented. His hunger for business and development eventually returned him to Portland where he began a series of investments that led him to a unique opportunity in McMinnville, Oregon. In 2001, on a tip from a friend, Niemeyer purchased an old pie factory. This old pie factory, renamed Oregon Wine Services fully hit it’s stride following an introduction to Laurent Montalieu and the development of NW Wine Co and grew into Oregon’s first custom crush facility. The with inaugural vintage produced of 18,000 cases in the fall of 2003.
Lady Luck continued to shine on John Niemeyer when the historic Hyland vineyard came onto the market, in his own words, “I just couldn’t believe we had the chance to acquire one of Oregon’s most historic and premier vineyard sites.”
When Niemeyer isn’t partnering with Laurent and the Westmount team, he is trekking the globe in search of his next thrill. From rafting the Grand Canyon and the Vibio in Chile to trekking the Italian Dolomites and Bhutan, Niemeyer seeks to be humbled by the grandeur of Mother Nature.
John, an Oregon enthusiast before all else, views Westmount with excitement because to him, it represents the long overdue introduction of wine to the adventure set. “It’s an opportunity to pass on the Western dream and lifestyle to the next generation.”