‘Beloved’ Oregon viticulturist detained by ICE

Moises Sotelo-Casas, a well-known figure in the Willamette Valley wine community, was taken into custody by agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) last week.

Sotelo-Casas, who founded Novo Start Vineyard Service last year, was detained just outside of St Michael’s Episcopal Church in Newberg, Oregon on the morning Thursday 12 June as he was setting out on his way to work.

It is understood that Sotelo-Casas, a Mexican national, began undergoing the US citizenship process last year, during the tenure of President Joe Biden.

Although Sotelo-Casas’ family claims that he has been in the US since the 1990s, ICE argues that he arrived in the country illegally in 2006 and that he was convicted for driving under the influence (DUI) in Newberg. However, the district attorney’s office for Yamhill County, where Newberg is located, has found no record of such a conviction. Evidence of speeding tickets was found, though these fines were paid.

Despite the conflicting accounts, ICE is reportedly considering Sotelo-Casas for “expedited removal”. He is currently being held in an immigrant detention site in Tacoma, Washington.

In response, a GoFundMe called Help the Sotelo Family with Expenses After ICE Detainment has been set up by his daughter, Alondra Sotelo-García. At the time of writing, it has raised more than US$98,000 of a US$125,000 target, with the funds intended to cover numerous costs, including the hiring of immigration attorneys.

Speaking with local news station KGW, Alondra said: “It really sucks not having answers, it really sucks picking up the pieces at home, you have to be the strong head of the family and watch your brothers suffer through the same thing as you.”

Sotelo-Casas is just one of a number of people to have been targeted under this new wave of ICE detainments, as ordered by US President Donald Trump. According to findings from Austin Kocher, an assistant research professor at Syracuse University, as of 1 June 2025, some 51,302 individuals were detained in ICE facilities across the US, the highest figure since 2019.

ICE has since been ordered to scale back its raids on businesses dependent on immigrant labour, including farms, after a u-turn from Trump. It is unclear whether viticultural consultants, such as Sotel-Casas, fall under this sudden exemption.

‘The backbone of Oregon wine’

The incident has alarmed those in Oregon’s wine sector. Morgen McLaughlin, executive director of the Willamette Valley Wineries Association, expressed her worries over the situation to the drinks business: “We are deeply concerned by the recent detention of Moises, a beloved Willamette Valley business owner, as well as a separate incident involving another individual in our wine community. Vineyard stewards and winery team members – many of whom are immigrants or from immigrant families – are the backbone of Oregon wine, contributing expertise, care, and decades of hard work that have shaped the region’s success.”

“We are working closely with the Willamette Valley Wine Foundation, Oregon Wine Board, and the Oregon Winegrowers Association to stay informed and stand in solidarity with the people at the heart of our community,” McLaughlin continued. “Out of respect for the affected families, we are not sharing the name of the other person detained. However, we are actively coordinating with advocacy groups, including Oregon For All, UNIDOS Yamhill County, the ACLU of Oregon, and others, to provide legal support and resources. Industry leaders are also meeting with government officials to voice our concerns and advocate for the safety, dignity, and well-being of those who make this industry possible. In addition, we are working to educate the Oregon wine community on clear protocols – who to call and what to do – if they witness an immigration enforcement incident.”

Related news

Wine of the week: Sattlerhof Kapellenweingarten Sauvignon Blanc

Is Raventós Codorníu's owner mulling sale of the Cava giant?

Institute of Masters of Wine releases 2025 exam wines and questions