Welcome to Bill’s Blog, where we celebrate life’s sweet moments and quality time. For me, that’s Time-Sweet-Time—three little words that say thank you to the many friends of Potter’s Vineyard who bring us pure joy.
I’m writing this during the brink of harvest. It’s already seven-days-a-week: checking grapes, picking grapes, hauling grapes, and basically living at the winery. So why do I do what I do with my time? Sure, I love growing grapes and making wine. But the deeper reason is you. Your support lets us pay the bills and give back.

Like many wineries, we give back by donating time, money and wine. This year we donated auction wine and tastings to community causes like Rotary, Providence Hearts of Gold, Newberg Animal Shelter, Blanchet House, Virginia Garcia Clinic, and others. Over the years, our giving has focused more and more on feeding the hungry.

My path has always balanced science and clay. I once told my dad I wanted to be a potter; he said, “Great—take math, science, and English, too.” Vet school didn’t pan out (I was second alternate on my application!), but work at the OSU animal farms led to a master’s in animal nutrition, a ‘first job’ at Carnation Milling Division, then a PhD at the University of Florida and a stint as a professor. Along the way I realized my work helped feed the world. A trip to Ecuador—seeing real poverty and eager students hungry to learn—cemented that purpose. And I never stopped making pots.

Then I found Empty Bowls, a simple, powerful idea launched by Michigan art teachers John Hartom and Lisa Blackburn in 1990: make bowls, serve soup, donate locally to fight hunger. We jumped in about 15 years ago—first as chairs of the Oregon Potters Association event for the Oregon Food Bank, at the Visalia Rescue Mission, St. Anthony’s Church, and now at our winery.
This past June 9th we hosted our second Empty Bowls with Stone Soup PDX at our vineyard in Newberg. Stone Soup trains folks facing employment barriers for careers in foodservice—skills, confidence, and community. They cooked the meal; local potters (and I) made the bowls; you filled the room and the donation jar. Proceeds went to support their mission, and the evening filled more than stomachs—it filled everyone’s hearts.
Thank you to Stone Soup PDX, their students and staff, and to all of you who buy wine and pottery from The Potter’s Vineyard & Clay Art Gallery. Your kindness lets us spend Time-Sweet-Time making an impact.


Guests at our 2nd Empty Bowls Event.

Group Shot with all of you and the Empty Bowls that you are helping to fill!
Photos: Potter’s Vineyard Staff