It’s that restless ambition to go out, seek, and do, that has brought us here; sheer determination to not give up or give in that has carried us this far; and the dream, the dream! that started it all.
WHY WE MAKE WINE, The Long Story
ScottEternal dreamer. Collector of data.
The Grande Dalles began in the heart of Scott Elder, when, as an adventurous farm kid from north-east Kansas, he headed eastward for chemistry and grad school, falling in love with wine, and its connection to the people and place that make it. That was nearly 20 years ago. It’s been his journey ever since that has brought The Grande Dalles to life, and proof that while you can take the boy far from the farm, you can’t take the farm very far from the boy.
StephanieRecovering pessimist.
Stephanie LaMonica heard the call of the West from her upstate New York home. The wanderlust in her well established, she headed out in 1991 with her own dreams, a backpack, undergrad degree and $400 bucks in her pocket, obviously not knowing that all this lay in store. Wishes she did less kicking and screaming during this whole wine adventure, but sure is glad (enough) that Scott made her stick with it. Because nothing compares to big, blue skies, open ground, and that western meadowlark’s song.
SamuelJoyful child.
Samuel Thaddeus James, our son and partner and pioneer from way back. Born in the year of our first vintage and the only real Oregonian among us. He runs the hills like the best little grey digger out there, into the wind and with no looking back.
JackCheeky dog.
All the way from Ireland and a traveler by trade, Jack keeps our vocal chords strong. Like we said earlier, cheeky dog.
2008 | The Way We Were
Scott in ’08
“This land is your land, this land is my land,” then came our Sam and then the grapes.
Stephanie in ’08
This land is our land! Fought the good fight and got what was promised to us. And Samuel, sweet Samuel! Totally unprepared for the literality of how life-changing a baby AND vineyard could be. Never saw any of it coming.
