Hope Well
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Country of Origin: USA
Location: Eola-Amity Hills, Willamette Valley
People: Mimi Casteel, Owner & Winemaker
Viticulture: Regenerative
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We are immensely honored to represent Mimi Casteel's Hope Well in Illinois. Having followed her remarkable journey since 2016, we consider her one of the most pivotal figures in modern agriculture.
Mimi grew up amidst the vineyards of Oregon, where her family established the renowned Bethel Heights Vineyard, providing her with a unique perspective on the intricate relationship between farming and the environment.
Armed with a BA in History and Classics from Tulane University, Mimi spent the next year working in various national forests, igniting her passion for botany, forestry, and ecology. She later earned an MS in Forest Science from Oregon State University and spent several years as a botanist and ecologist for the Forest Service. Through her forest work, Mimi recognized that the most significant threats to our planet and its species must be addressed at the root—within agriculture and working lands.
Mimi’s scientific grounding in plant biology and ecology profoundly shapes her approach to viticulture. She is dedicated to producing wines of exceptional quality that also honor the land. Her philosophy centers on regenerative agriculture, a practice that goes beyond sustainability by actively restoring and enhancing the vineyard ecosystem. This involves fostering biodiversity, improving soil health, and reducing carbon footprints through innovative farming techniques.
Hope Well wines are a testament to Mimi’s deep commitment to the land, with each bottle capturing the essence of the Eola-Amity Hills terroir. Her work at Hope Well Winery has garnered acclaim from wine critics and environmentalists alike. Widely respected for her advocacy of regenerative agriculture and efforts to combat climate change through innovative farming practices, Mimi frequently shares her knowledge and passion at conferences and seminars, inspiring a new generation of winemakers (and farmers in all fields) to prioritize ecological health and sustainability.
Media Links
Esquire: What If Things Get Better?
I'll Drink to That! Episode 469: Mimi Casteel Thinks Your Sustainability Sucks. Try Again.
Regenerate Forum: Winemaker Mimi Casteel: “Regenerative Methods in Viticulture” (Video Interview)
Wine Enthusiast: Viticulturist Mimi Casteel on Her “No Till” Farming Approach to Combat Climate Change
Punch.com: Mimi Casteel is Betting the Farm
Imbibe: Mimi Casteel's Field of Dreams
The New York Times: In Oregon Wine Country, One Farmer's Battle to Save the Soil
Food & Wine: Why Regenerative Farming Matters for the Future of Winemaking
Jancis Robinson: Mimi Casteel of Hope Well Wine in Oregon is Crusading for Regenerative Agriculture