Proprietors of the Dusky Goose Pinot Noir

John D. Carter

John Carter was born and raised in Pendleton, Oregon, one of a third-generation family of wheat and cattle ranchers. After Stanford University and Harvard Law School, he spent a career in the San Francisco Bay Area, first as a partner in a large San Francisco law firm, then with the engineering and construction firm Bechtel. He retired from Bechtel in 2002, and returned to Oregon, where he has various interests. He is a partner with Tom Imeson in the consulting firm of Imeson & Carter, as well as serving on the boards of local Portland firms. He remains involved in international business as well, including his service on the board of UK firms, and consulting work there.

During his years at Stanford, when the Napa Valley wine industry was in its infancy, John developed a keen interest in wine and winemaking, which was later expanded through business partners and friends involved in the wine business. The Dusky Goose Pinot noir is his first venture into making wine.

Linda Levy Carter

Linda Carter was also born and raised in Pendleton, Oregon. Her family goes even further back to the early days of Oregon agriculture, and remains actively involved today as well in the Pendleton area. Linda graduated from Juilliard School of Music in New York City, and received a masters degree from the University of Michigan. Linda also performed in New York with the Jose Limon Dance Company, and other notable modern dance groups. She later headed the dance department at Scripps College in Claremont, California until after she and John were married in 1977, and she relocated to the San Francisco area. Linda remains active in a variety of organizations, and has served on the Board of Trustees of the American School in London.

John and Linda spend their time in Oregon in several places, including Portland, Pendleton, and the Bend area. Their agricultural adventure, and passion, is the Rambouillet Vineyard and Dusky Goose Pinot noir.

The Carter Family

Courtney Carter Charney has been involved in the Dusky Goose adventure from the start, helping provide communications, graphic design, and general advice to the project. Without her organization and enthusiasm, we would not have been able to produce a 2002 wine, and we certainly would not have had a name for it! Courtney, a Stanford Univeristy graduate, is the Senior Editor of 18 Media Group, publishers of magazines in the San Francisco Bay Area. Doug Carter, also a Stanford graduate and currently with the consulting firm Accenture, adds greatly to the venture. He currently serves as the Senior Grape Crusher for Dusky Goose. Chris Carter, a student at Boston College, adds his touch from afar as the Senior Wine Taster.