Garrett Hoemmen

When Garrett Hoemmen advises wine-industry pros on how to finance the next stages of their dreams, he does so with the steady-on confidence of a fluent insider. With a background that includes extensive academic research in wine economics as well as hands-on work in viticulture and wine sales, there’s no doubt about it: Garrett speaks wine.

As a member of the Wine Division in First Citizens Portland office, he’s the go-to guy when vintners and winegrowers in the Pacific Northwest seek financing for inventory, equipment, vineyard development and land acquisition. Drawing on his expertise in both agriculture and finance, Garrett ensures that the First Citizens premium wine clients — that range in size from small, family-owned businesses to large corporations — get the advice and resources they need to act swiftly and decisively when great opportunities arise.

Joining First Citizens Wine Division in 2015 was no accident. Garrett’s deep understanding of the art, science and business of winemaking was gained through working in sales at Naked Wines and in viticulture as a vineyard field scout for Vino Farms. Academia has also contributed greatly to his expertise: In addition to holding a master’s degree in agricultural economics and a bachelor’s degree in finance from Southern Illinois University, Garrett studied in the Ph.D. program in agricultural economics at Washington State University, where his focus on wine economics included research in brand creation, consumer loyalty to localized products, consumption trends and wine quality control. Garrett is also a contributor to the First Citizens annual wine research survey, an authoritative annual report that assesses and reports on current industry conditions. Furthermore, he has published academic research on the development of American Viticultural Areas and the impact of winegrower quality control programs.

Garrett is an active member of numerous wine industry trade organizations in Oregon and Washington, including the Willamette Valley Wineries Association, the Oregon Tempranillo Alliance, the Rocks District Winegrowers and the Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance. He has earned introductory certification from the Court of Master Sommeliers.

Weekends find this Illinois native taking advantage of many of the outdoor pleasures the Pacific Northwest has to offer; he enjoys cycling, hiking and riding motorbikes. Other times, you might find him simply savoring the (fermented) fruits of his labors alongside a good novel.