WELCOME TO WALNUT RIDGE
In 1946, our grandfather, Elmer Young, along with his growing family, established a farm in Dewey, Arizona. What started as a traditional food crop and animal venture eventually became one of the most beloved gathering places in Northern Arizona.
While being a family-oriented and welcoming farm, the full recognition of Young’s Farm was found in its sensational sweet corn and delicious holiday turkeys. Young’s Farm operated for 60 years before being faced with new state laws changing the historic use of water rights in Arizona. In 2006, we sold the farm and left our home in the Southwest in search of independence, beauty, and a challenge.
We found Oregon.
A Sense Of Place
Landing in Paulina, high in the desert of Central Oregon, our family began farming anew. Blue Mountain Ranch sits on the south watershed of the Ochoco Mountains, where an 800 cow herd grazes across emerald meadows, producing delicious grass-fed and grass-finished beef. With the new ranching operation, we dove deeper into the world of soil biology and water reclamation to ensure the health of family, animals, and the earth.
After almost a decade of the family ranching business, we realized we missed the day-to-day interactions with customers and wanted more. With the blessing of our family, we were ready to strike out again in search of something new.
We found wine.
Finding Our New Roots
Well, that makes it sound a little too clean. What we found was a bit of time on the Oregon coast, watching our kids continue to grow, building a retail business, and waiting for the next opportunity. And it came, not in a moment, but in a series of events that started and stopped, taking two steps forward and one step back.
In 2020, with the world shut down and our retail business in good hands, we took off with the kids to travel the United States and live out our nomadic dream. We spent most of the year living in our Airstream, seeing all that there was to see including an inspiring stay in New Orleans, where we fell in love with the food, the music, and the history. Returning to Oregon, we were inspired to go back to our roots, back to the soil, back to farming.
And That’s when Walnut Ridge found us.
From Our Family to Yours
And now, we are here, fully entrenched in the Willamette Valley, nestled in the Lower Long Tom Sub Appellation (AVA) with our kids, a dog, the vines, and hope for the future.
The journey has been winding, joyous, challenging, upending, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. We are excited to be in a community that believes in the connection between family and farming- and has supported us as we have come from our family ranch in Paulina, Oregon to now grow grapes and produce wine in the Willamette Valley.
We hope you will join us at Walnut Ridge to enjoy our wine and deepen our life together.
– The Youngs, Alisha, Aaron, Harper, Lincoln & Ruby
Our Team
Rob
A Friend Everyone Should Have
Rob hails from Gloucester, Massachusetts, and has experience with many different jobs within the service industry over the past 25 years. Prior to arriving here at the vineyard, he worked at a brewery in Eugene, was a boat captain and tour guide in Key West, Florida, an English Language teacher in Tokyo, Japan, and held restaurant and bar jobs from Australia to California. He is now happy to call Eugene home and loves the natural beauty that Oregon has to offer, as well as its bounty of delicious wine!
Ziona
Our Tasting Room Rockstar
Ziona is a born and raised Oregonian and comes from a background of viticulture and European influence. Her love for food, wine, and travel has blossomed into a career of fine dining, catering and wine stewardship. Proudly following in her grandfather’s footsteps, Ziona Is pursuing a future in apiculture. She resides in Eugene with her daughter, and loves making the scenic commute to Walnut Ridge where she is able to combine her passions and enthusiasm in all the Willamette Valley has to offer.
Susanna
Ms. Amazement of the Kitchen
Susana is from Eugene Oregon and has 5 years of kitchen experience. While working at camas country bakery, she fell in love with old fashioned baking. She enjoys hiking, camping, swimming and being outdoors. Her passion for fitness has grown over the years and she is a newly certified personal trainer. Being part of the wine industry has been a pleasant surprise and she is excited to learn more about it! She finds joy in the kitchen at Walnut Ridge, creating delicious treats and bites for everyone who comes to visit!
Bert
Tasting Room Caretaker & Entertainer
Bert was born and raised in New Orleans. Most of his life was spent in the crescent city and he still carries all those vibes with him today! He enjoys helping people and making life better. If it’s a party at Walnut Ridge, Bert is bringing his jazzy vocals and NOLA rhythm. You don’t want to miss out when he finds the microphone!
Marcia
The One and Only -Ya Ya
Marcia is a native New Orleanian with a passion for her heritage! She loves sharing her NOLA cuisine and making delicious fudge for our tasting room. She is behind the scenes of many Walnut Ridge events and is a master party planner. Next time you pop in, you may spot Ya-Ya with an apron on and ready visit with “y’all!”
