River's Edge began with the purchase of two vineyards, Black Oak Vineyard and Elkton Vineyard, by Mike and Vonnie Landt in 1996. The previous owners were Ken and Mary Thomason, who planted the vineyards in 1972. They had planned on eventually starting a winery on the property, but health issues prevented them from realizing their dream.

In 2000, the winery building was constructed on the western edge of the town of Elkton, three miles from the vineyards, and a stone's throw from the Umpqua River. The first vintage crushed at the new winery was that fall, with Mike and Vonnie assuming winemaking duties. They were assisted for the first few years by consultation from John Eliassen, a French-trained winemaker who now owns his own winery, La Bete (Labetewines.com).

For several years, because the Landts were living much of the time in the Midwest and commuting for the busy months of the winemaking year, John and Bonnie Bradley took care of the facility and vineyards and manned the tasting room. The Bradleys now have their own winery (bradleyvineyards.com). In 2005 Mike and Vonnie quit their day jobs and moved full time to Elkton.

Tom sorting grapes

Savanna Wright

Savanna and Meredith Bell

The winery has been fortunate in the last few years to have interns for the fall harvest. In 2008, Tom Kriegshauser joined us from Australia, where he now helps manage Yangarra Estate winery (yangarra.com). Tom grew up in St. Louis, spent some years in the wholesale wine business, but went to Australia to earn a masters in wine business.

In 2009, the winery was fortunate to have two interns from very different backgrounds. Coming from New York was Savanna Wright, who continues to work with wine at Grammercy Tavern restaurant. The other intern was Meredith Bell, who had just finished up a stint in Mauritania as a Peace Corps volunteer, and now is enrolled in the masters of enology program at University of California Davis.

Though River's Edge grows the majority of the grapes needed for it's production, the winery buys grapes from three area vineyards. Bradley Vineyard, owned by John and Bonnie Bradley, provides the highest quality pinot noir grapes, with many vintages bottled as a single vineyard wine. The Pace Family Vineyard, owned by Rod and Nina Pace, is the source for our pinot gris wines; they now have their own local winery (anindor.com). Tri-M Vineyard, owned by Myron and Carol Michels, is relatively new (planted in 2003) but produces dark, luscious fruit for such young vines.

The winery has benefited enormously from the help and hard work of its friends. Several strategicallly plan their visits to coincide with events like bottling or the harvest. Long time friend Judith Ricard of Seattle visits at least once a year and usually stays for a week at a time, earning her board and room many times over. Sharon Porter of New Jersey has made the long trip to help with all facets of the winemaking process. Stan Blasgow of Corvallis has helped us with the harvest and bottling on several occasions. Russ and Janice Willets of Gold Beach and Dave Muchmore of Eugene have been valuable in helping assess the wines before bottling and in getting it in the bottle afterword. Keith and Marcie Snyder, residents on the Oregon Coast, helped with the 2009 harvest and liked the area so much they might move here! Nearby residents Steve and Peggy Shambaugh have helped out with every aspect of winemaking over the years.