Looking back at 19 years.

Our opening day began with founder Dan Smith patiently waiting at our tasting room doorway, ready to greet his first customers on a Friday in 2005 after Thanksgiving. Our winery had been merely a dream until about two years prior. Dan was more than busy operating his HVAC business and tending our 42-acre vineyard on the side. But Dan was always up for an adventure. As he sat under the oak tree at the top of the vineyard, soaking in the panoramic views and peace of the valley, he dreamed of sharing this special place with his community. 

A call from a buddy letting him know that some quality trusses were up for grabs in Junction City set the winery dream into motion. Those trusses were a simple spark, and that’s how our winery began. Dan was often known for making something out of almost nothing. He called on friends and colleagues to build our winemaking facility and tasting room. Construction took a little over a year. During that time, he shipped over a custom wine press engineered by friends he met during his travels to Australia, and local wineries, King Estate and Silvan Ridge, lent their winemaking facilities to us so we could craft our first vintage on wine in 2003.

The crow featured on Dan’s grape delivery truck adorned the first wine label and many labels to come. It was a nod to the Crow, Oregon community where the winery and Dan’s home were located. Dan was a big dreamer, but he was the first to admit that he never thought that folks from all over the country or even the world would come visit his humble winery. 

From there, big changes and projects were always cropping up. Dan quickly realized that the winery was outgrowing the shared building of the tasting room and winemaking facility. He built our Barrel Hall the following year, ready to house a bottling line when he could afford it. He also started to execute his vision of a sprawling patio, complete with water features, for our guests to soak in the valley and vineyard views. Soon after that, he added a covered patio outside our tasting room to expand our all-weather seating. And the list goes on from there. 

One could argue that change is the only constant at Sweet Cheeks Winery. The winery grew and expanded for the next 13 years with our visionary founder leading the charge with his DIY spirit. As we carry on Dan’s legacy, we endeavor to keep dreaming, improving, and growing. Your support and friendship over the past 19 years highlighted some of our brightest years and helped us through the tough years, too. Dan knew the winery’s success would take his community; he just didn’t know how expansive that community would be. 

Cheers to you, and cheers to 19 years. 

-Beth, Leo, Jessica, and Katie