In 2010, Julie Hall, (her maiden name) a teacher in the Yreka, California School District, moved to Ashland for the cultural offerings, the scenic beauty and the Ashland vibe. At the same time, Eric Weisinger, who had decided to broaden his experience beyond the Rogue Valley by spending about half of each year making wine in the Southern Hemisphere, came home to consult with the family winery and eventually take the reins to help his father, winery founder John Weisinger, retire. For those first two years the two were both living in Ashland, but their paths never crossed. It would be in part because of a friend that all of that would change.

Ariel Prescott (today’s winery Office Manager) and Julie Weisinger had met in Colorado while teaching together. “I taught school in Colorado for one year and that’s where I met Ariel,” Julie recalls. “She taught kindergarten and I taught sixth grade. We quickly became best of friends.” After that school year, Julie moved to Ashland. A little over a year later, in July of 2011, she talked Ariel into moving to Ashland as well. “That summer I was taking some classes in Barbados, when Ariel texted me that she got a job at Weisinger Winery, working in their tasting room. I had never been to Weisinger’s, but knew it well because I passed it every day on my way to work. I thought what a great excuse to go visit and taste some wine. That’s where I met Eric, in the tasting room. After that initial meeting, we kept running into each other because it turned out we had so many mutual friends. That we had not met before then was strange.”

Eric says, “At the time, I was working at the winery a few days a week. Every once in a while, I would notice this woman who would come in the tasting room, have a glass of wine and talk to Ariel. One day when I was about to leave the winery, I noticed her again. This time I walked up, said hello and introduced myself. We chatted a bit and then I left. I didn’t know then, but that was the first conversation I was having with my future wife.”

The couple began dating shortly thereafter and within weeks, both say they “knew.” They were married at an Italian winery in 2013.

Very soon thereafter, Julie became an integral part of what goes on behind the scenes at the winery. “I’ve always loved wine. I had a subscription to The Wine Spectator and some wine books, but a lot of it was over my head. I just knew what I liked to drink—big, serious Cabs and Zins…that was where I started. I’ve learned so much being with Eric. It’s been an education. I love experimenting, tasting all the wines with Eric and learning how it’s made.”

Her interest wasn’t limited to wine appreciation. “As Eric started managing the business, I started noticing things in and around the tasting room,” Julie explains, “like ways to make the deck area more comfortable and attractive. I started by having cushions made for the deck seating. For outdoor tables I had a local welder make some metal legs and crafted wooden tops by myself. I took wood shop in high school and I’ve never been afraid to experiment with wood and use tools. I bought and potted succulents for the tables, made a fountain and the space became more inviting.”

Eric notes, “Julie is great at creating atmosphere. She also did all the landscaping opposite the deck. Up until then it had been mostly a bare hill. In 2013, when we went through the rebranding, Julie was an important part of that process. She was there voting on design elements, colors and themes. Her input was invaluable.”

Julie adds, “I don’t work at the winery regularly because I’m an educator, but I definitely am a consumer. I’m a very visual person, so coming at it from a consumer’s perspective gives me a different view of the business. I know what attracts my eye and thus my interest.” Their next project will be a remodel of the tasting room with new floors, a fireplace and adding French doors onto an enlarged deck. “Can’t wait to get my hands on that,” Julie says smiling.

Besides collaborating on ways to improve the winery, this power couple has also put their creativity and skill toward supporting the Ashland Independent Film Festival (AIFF). Eric recalls, “In the summer of 2012, I was approached by Michael Moore (Co-owner/Vineyard Manager of Quail Run Vineyards) who asked me if I was interested in doing a wine for AIFF. He was on the AIFF Board of Directors at the time. He said Quail Run was going to donate a ton and a half of Syrah, and asked if I would donate the winemaking services to create something special for the film festival. Michael and I had worked together for years, so I thought, why not. We’ve done a wine for them every year since.”

Julie is now serving on the AIFF Board. “I love film festivals and I love independent films. I often use film in my classroom to support what I’m teaching. I wanted to be part of the organization because I feel it is important, so I volunteered and was soon on the board. My three-year term is over in June, but I plan to stay on the committee for events and wine.”

Whatever the future hold for this de-vine couple, it’s a good bet that anything they put their four hands to will be a resounding success.

Photo of Julie and Eric Weisinger by Steven Addington Photography.

©Southern Oregon Wine Scene – from the Summer 2019 issue