Janie Brooks-Heuck
General Manager, Brooks Winery
Portland, Oregon native Janie Brooks, graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in Accounting. Upon receiving her degree, she spent the next 12 years, building a career in the health care industry, overseeing finances and operations for numerous companies.
She had no intentions of being in the wine industry – other than being a proud and supportive sister to the founder of Brooks Wines, her brother, Jimi Brooks. Upon Jimi’s unexpected passing in 2004, Janie quickly found herself responsible for the business operations of the winery. Eager to gain knowledge of the wine industry as quickly as possible, she surrounded herself with Oregon’s highly respected winemakers and business advisors and enrolled in a Viticulture and Enology course at UC Davis to increase her acumen in the industry.
The outpouring of generosity and guidance extended by the Oregon wine community, took Janie by surprise. She soon realized what a successful brand her brother had created and what a visionary Jimi was with restoring the reputation of Riesling, biodynamic farming and blending practices. As time evolved, Janie continued to gain experience, which resulted in the desire to carry out Jimi’s wish – for Brooks Wines to be more than a winery, a family legacy that he hoped one day would be continued by his son Pascal.
With over seven years at the helm, Janie continues her commitment to keep Brooks in line with Jimi’s vision. After all, it is a family legacy for her as well. Janie has been volunteering her time to run Brooks since 2004 and the sole owner is Jimi’s son, Pascal. Since his passing, Janie has increased the production from 3,500 cases to 10,000 cases. In addition, she is on the Board of Directors of International Riesling Foundation, the past President of the Oregon Pinot Camp, and beginning 2012 will be involved in the media efforts for the International Pinot Noir Celebration.
Brooks has been able to maintain the same vineyard sources and winemaking style, while growing the business to meet the consumer and market demands. Janie has also moved the production of Brooks Wines from other wineries, to its own space perched high on the hilltop in the Eola Hills AVA. She, together with her husband David, purchased the 20 acre Eola Hills Vineyard (now Brooks Estate). Half of the 20 acres in the vineyard are mid 1970 plantings of pinot noir and Riesling. The vineyard has been biodynamically farmed since 2002.
Janie and David reside in Pebble Beach, California with their two children, Emily and Ryan. They recently purchased a farmhouse on a 5-acre cherry orchard next to the Brooks Estate Vineyard furthering their family’s legacy. Janie enjoys golfing, exercising and being involved in the community where she resides and actively volunteering with her children’s school. She spends her summers in Oregon at the farmhouse on the property with her family, including her nephew Pascal. She has also become an active member of the Oregon wine community.
From HEB’s Wine & Food Week 2012, Food & Vine Time Productions
