Celebrating Valentin!

Valentin, our beloved vineyard steward, turned 60 this past weekend and we want to celebrate him and his contributions to our vineyard. He’s been with us since the beginning, literally planting the vines that make our beautiful wines. More importantly, he has given his heart and soul to our vineyard and he is part of our family. To honor this contribution and the selfless, tireless work that he and other immigrants have given to our beautiful industry, we will be donating a percentage of all proceeds from this weekend to AHIVOY, an organization dedicated to providing “education and development opportunities for vineyard stewards in Oregon’s wine industry”. To learn more about AHIVOY and to donate directly, click HERE.

Valentin's story is one of friendship and dedication.

I first met Valentin in 2013 upon the recommendation of the vineyard developer I had hired. The universe blessed me not just with a talented vineyard steward, but with someone who would become a cherished friend. In typical Valentin style, he dedicated himself to our land and treated it as his own. The vineyard we created together is as much his as it is mine. I quite literally could not have done this without him. His tireless work and that of his talented crew have ensured that each vintage we will grow and harvest the best wine grapes the Willamette Valley has to offer.

In 2023, I had the distinct honor and privilege to travel with Valentin to his hometown, Santa Maria Tindu, in the remote mountains of Oaxaca State in southern Mexico. To be invited to his hometown and learn more about him, and to be welcomed into his home and his family was a gift. We laughed and danced in celebration of a friendship born from mutual respect and shared values.

I was humbled again recently, when he invited Leslie and me to attend his 60th birthday bash in Woodburn. During his birthday speech to the 150 or so people that love him, he specifically called out our relationship as an important part of his life story. I could not have been more humbled and honored. Just like we did in Santa Maria Tindu, we danced to mariachi music and celebrated this beautiful life we share together.

Check out the photos and videos in this journal post. I hope you can sense the friendship and joy that we share for each other.

We love you, Valentin! Thank you again for everything you've done to make our vineyard a beautiful reflection of human connection and what can be accomplished when we work together.

Feliz cumpleaños, Valentin! Here's to 60 more wonderful years!

All of our love, Doug and Leslie