Oregon winemaker Chase Renton, owner of L’Angolo Estate in the Dundee Hills, has launched a new Pinot Noir titled “Resilience,” with all proceeds donated to mental health charities. The project follows Renton’s personal experiences with cancer, burnout, and depression, aiming to destigmatize mental health struggles within the wine industry and beyond, according to Wine-Searcher.
The Origin of Resilience: A Metaphor for Healing
The label for Resilience draws inspiration from kintsugi, the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold. Renton views the practice as a profound metaphor for human experience. “If you’re scarred, the scars can be beautiful,” Renton told Wine-Searcher. “There’s beauty in being broken and being put back together.”
Beyond the philosophical mission, the wine represents a shift in Renton’s business model. He has priced the bottles one-third cheaper than his typical estate offerings. His goal is to return to the historical roots of wine as a communal beverage rather than a collectible status symbol. He selected “showy” barrels that are approachable in their youth, emphasizing drinkability over complexity.
From NBA Partnerships to Personal Burnout
Renton’s path to this project was shaped by his work with high-profile NBA stars. In 2016, he began collaborating with Channing Frye, who was seeking to break into the Oregon wine scene. This led to a partnership with fellow player Kevin Love under the label Chosen Family, with Renton serving as principal winemaker.
Despite his professional success, Renton faced significant personal trials, including a 2017 diagnosis of aggressive testicular cancer. He underwent three months of intense chemotherapy, which he described as “a bad hangover for three months straight.” While he returned to work quickly, he later identified this as a mistake, noting that he failed to process the trauma of the experience.
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The concept of “Resilience” was born from Renton’s own struggle with burnout following the 2023 harvest. He notes that the pressure to constantly “move the goalposts” of achievement created a sense of emptiness, a sentiment he found mirrored in the public mental health advocacy of his partner, Kevin Love.
Industry Trends: The Shift Toward Mental Health Advocacy
By discussing his own suicidal thoughts and anxiety, he hopes to address what he terms an “epidemic” among men.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Resilience wine project?
Resilience is a Willamette Valley Pinot Noir created by Chase Renton of L’Angolo Estate. All proceeds from the wine are donated to mental health charities to help destigmatize depression and anxiety.
Why is the wine priced lower than other L’Angolo Estate wines?
Renton intentionally priced the wine one-third lower than his entry-level estate wines to encourage people to drink it in a communal setting rather than storing it as a collectible.
Who is the winemaker for L’Angolo Estate?
While Chase Renton is the owner and founder, he has engaged Tracy Kendall, who runs her own brand, Folly of Man, to assist with winemaking duties following Renton’s burnout in 2024.
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