Tag: farming

The name "Mercer" means far more than wine in Eastern Washington, where the Mercer family’s farming tradition stretches back five generations and 125 years. Since 1886, the family has raised a variety of crops and livestock on the same expansive property in the Horse Heaven Hills.

In 1972, with the encouragement of the renowned horticulturist Dr. Walter Clore, Linda and Don Mercer planted their first vineyard there. Dr. Clore, who is now remembered as The Father of Washington Wine, was right.

With each passing vintage, the wines of family-owned Cliff Creek Cellars attract national accolades that further confirm Vern Garvin’s excellent decision to build one more business at the age of 70.

In the early 1990s, Vern took ownership of a 100-year-old Rogue Valley farm dedicated to growing grasses and grazing cattle. He selected 15 acres for his first grapevine planting and broke ground in 1999, founding Sam’s Valley Vineyard, nestled in the foothills of the region’s majestic Table Rocks.

John and Sandra Zahoudanis founded Demetria Estate in 2005 to uphold John’s Greek heritage and family tradition of farming and careful stewardship of the land. They named their splendid estate after their daughter who shares the same name as the ancient Greek goddess of harvest, Demetria.

The 213-acre property stands proudly in the hills above Foxen Canyon in the Santa Ynez Valley, California. The rolling terrain is the highest in the appellation, with vineyards ranging in elevation from 1,100 to 1,450 feet. Planted exclusively to Rhône varieties, the vineyards cover 46 acres of steep, north facing hills.

Winegrape growing is nothing new to LangeTwins Winery and Vineyards. As part of a generational farm family dating back to the 1870s, twin brothers Randall and Brad Lange grew up with the family passion for farming. With determination, they have made their ranch a benchmark vineyard property within the Lodi, California appellation.

The LangeTwins family is generational because of its focus on sustainable farming. More than three decades ago, the twins made improvements in and around the vineyards that benefited the entire ecosystem. Today, the family continues to show considerable initiative both at its vineyard locations and the winery.