Gonzales Wine Company Pop-Up featuring Cristina Gonzales, Winemaker
Gonzales Wine Company was born from a single, unforgettable glass of Malbec. While backpacking through Argentina, Cristina Gonzales stopped in Mendoza for a steak dinner that would change her life. The alchemy of the food and wine that night sparked a passion that would take her around the globe—from harvest-hopping in Australia to winemaking in California—and eventually, to launching her own wine label in Oregon in 2010.
Cristina is the granddaughter of migrant farm workers who moved to Wisconsin to pick cherries in search of a better life. Her journey into winemaking was immersive and hands-on—learning from the ground up, often quite literally atop a forklift. As she worked her way through harvest internships and cellar jobs, Cristina gravitated toward the vineyard stewards whose deep knowledge and labor made every vintage possible. Bilingual and community-minded, she not only built relationships but also advocated for better working conditions in the vineyard.
Today, Gonzales Wine Company reflects Cristina’s commitment to authenticity, equity, and delicious wine. She crafts expressive, minimal-intervention wines that showcase Pacific Northwest-grown grapes—aromatic whites like Riesling and Gewürztraminer, bold reds such as Syrah and Petit Verdot, and her signature Malbec.
Based in Portland, Cristina remains a dedicated advocate for the wine community. She serves on the Boards of AHIVOY and the Oregon Wine Board and is a co-founder of Community Wine Bar, amplifying the voices of underrepresented communities in the industry and ensuring that vineyard stewards are recognized as the backbone of winemaking.
At New Deal, we’ve always believed in the power of craft, community, and collaboration. That’s why we’re thrilled to celebrate Oregon Wine Month by hosting a series of Oregon Winemaker Pop-Ups at the New Deal Bottle Shop in collaboration with Bottle Trip Wines. These events are our way of lifting a glass to the vibrant winemaking culture that has shaped—and continues to inspire—so much of what we do. Join us on Saturdays in May & June to sample Oregon wines, meet winemakers, purchase bottles and enjoy specialty cocktails featuring New Deal Craft spirits and Oregon wines. For more info on this series of pop-ups, please check out our Living Proof Blog!
