The Gardner's
Where to start?
After years of working in the "real world", We, (Steve and Mary Gardner) decided to pursue our long term goal of owning and operating a vineyard and winery. In 1988, We started out our married life in Ketchikan, Alaska. Steve used his Chemistry Degree from University of Texas working as the Product Manager for Lousianna Pacific. He enjoyed traveling the world, meeting customers and helping with the Pulp product the Mill in Ketchikan produced. Mary utilized her Univ. of Oregon business degree overseeing the accounting at one of the only year round fish processors, EC Phillips and Son. We loved our years in Ketchikan which included the best fishing on earth, wonderful lifelong friends, and being in the corporate world....which help start our understanding of wine and dining. We also became friends with Diana who was getting her masters in wine. Listening to her, gave us the "Wine Bug".
In 1995, we were getting "Island crazy". (The Island Ketchikan is on has only one road which is about 30 miles long). We purchased a 33 foot motorhome, sold our home , boat and vehicles and set off on a year and a half long adventure. We explored Alaska, Yukon, British Columbia and the United States. While in California, we stopped at the UC Davis bookstore and furthered our "Wine Bug" by purchasing every Viticulture and Wine making textbook that was offered. We started to study. We looked into purchasing a winery in Southern Oregon, but did not have the confidence to "jump' in..... yet. Returning to the real world, and moving to Natchez, Mississippi, Steve took a job with International Paper and Mary became the Product Manager for a medical device company. Natchez was a wonderful place, but we were a little too "Pacific Northwestern" to fit into the deep South. We sold our house after a year, packed up the Motor Home...and headed back to Mary's childhood home of Southern Oregon. We were ready to catch and jump in after the "Wine Bug".
In 2000, we (which included our son, Austin) purchased an established hay farm on Hwy 62 in Eagle Point. That summer, we started our first plants from cuttings and root stock and began Eagle Point Vineyards.
After years of working in the "real world", We, (Steve and Mary Gardner) decided to pursue our long term goal of owning and operating a vineyard and winery. In 1988, We started out our married life in Ketchikan, Alaska. Steve used his Chemistry Degree from University of Texas working as the Product Manager for Lousianna Pacific. He enjoyed traveling the world, meeting customers and helping with the Pulp product the Mill in Ketchikan produced. Mary utilized her Univ. of Oregon business degree overseeing the accounting at one of the only year round fish processors, EC Phillips and Son. We loved our years in Ketchikan which included the best fishing on earth, wonderful lifelong friends, and being in the corporate world....which help start our understanding of wine and dining. We also became friends with Diana who was getting her masters in wine. Listening to her, gave us the "Wine Bug".
In 1995, we were getting "Island crazy". (The Island Ketchikan is on has only one road which is about 30 miles long). We purchased a 33 foot motorhome, sold our home , boat and vehicles and set off on a year and a half long adventure. We explored Alaska, Yukon, British Columbia and the United States. While in California, we stopped at the UC Davis bookstore and furthered our "Wine Bug" by purchasing every Viticulture and Wine making textbook that was offered. We started to study. We looked into purchasing a winery in Southern Oregon, but did not have the confidence to "jump' in..... yet. Returning to the real world, and moving to Natchez, Mississippi, Steve took a job with International Paper and Mary became the Product Manager for a medical device company. Natchez was a wonderful place, but we were a little too "Pacific Northwestern" to fit into the deep South. We sold our house after a year, packed up the Motor Home...and headed back to Mary's childhood home of Southern Oregon. We were ready to catch and jump in after the "Wine Bug".
In 2000, we (which included our son, Austin) purchased an established hay farm on Hwy 62 in Eagle Point. That summer, we started our first plants from cuttings and root stock and began Eagle Point Vineyards.
Eagle Point Vineyards:
The First Cut: After the last haying, we started the first "cut" of our future vineyard. In this picture Mary's grandfathers 1949 Ford 8N tractor is working it's little heart out establishing our vineyard. The newly broken ground became a treasure hunt, exposing agates and petrified wood.
Vines Planted: Merlot, Cabernet Sauignon, Teroldego, Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay, Mouvedre, and .....
Vines Planted: Merlot, Cabernet Sauignon, Teroldego, Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay, Mouvedre, and .....
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Steve showing the Kindergardner class the soft, young leaves. This is one of our earliest pictures of our vines.
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Crater Lake Cellars: Our Winery
2005: Winery and Tasting Room Open
November 2005, Crater Lake Cellars offically opened to the public. Our Tasting Room is located in the front corner of the Firehouse, and the winery itself is housed in the remaining 3/4 of the building. We are normally busting at the seams with barrels, fermenting wine, wine equipment and bottles. When touring our little winery, one can see the whole process, from beginning to end that our grapes and vintages take.
The Original Old Firehouse: Approx: 1970
Crater Lake Cellars, is housed in the old District #4 firehall. The building is centrally located in downtown Shady Cove, right on Hwy 62. In the 50's, the district #4 Firehall was built to house the volunteer fire department. This building had two roll top doors and a tall (hose) tower, which housed the fire departments fire trucks and equipment. Many fun stories have been told to us about the building...such as the trucks being pulled out to make room for community dances and bingo games. In the 1980's the fire department moved down the street to it's current new fire house. The building became a Auto/Race car engine shop and then a storage building.
A local resident recently gave us this picture of the Old Fire Hall in it's original state. The photo's date was approximated to be the 1970's |
2004 : Winery started 2004 Firehouse before New Front
Crater Lake Cellars begins. Our winery building is about 7.5 miles north of our Eagle Point Vineyards. The old Fire Hall is centrally located between two hotels, two R.V. resorts, numerous dining establishments and fast food locations, gas stations , post office and a full service grocery store. The Rogue River flows thru Shady Cove and is the key "getting out" point for those who love to float the river in the summer months. Crater Lake Hwy (Hwy 62) goes thru the heart of Shady Cove, and is only feet away from our little winery. |
Vineyard Wildlife
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