The
story of Red Willow begins with the history of the land.
Some 12,000 years ago, the peninsula shaped land formation
was bordered by water during the repeated Lake Missoula floods
which occurred at the end of the ice age. Due to it’s
higher elevation, 1200-1300 feet, the peninsula vineyard
site was above the water level and thus was not affected
by the water deposited silt and sand that much of the valley
floor received. It’s soils are poorer and more ancient
than those of lower elevations.
Red Willow is located in the North West corner of the Yakima Valley
and on the south slopes of Ahtanum Ridge. This is also within the
bounds of the Yakama Indian Reservation.
The mid 1920’s brought irrigation canals to this part of the
valley. Overnight, sage brush and range grass gave way to farms of
grain, alfalfa hay, potatoes, hops and vegetables. Included in this
first wave of settlers was Clyde Stephenson, the first generation
to farm the land on which Red Willow is located. At this time, the
main crops were potatoes and alfalfa hay along with cattle. In the
1950’s and 60’s the farm expanded with the presence of
the second generation, Harold Stephenson. More acres were added and
deep wells (1,000 ft.) were drilled so that water could be pumped
to higher elevation fields. The method of irrigation changed from
the ditch flooding of flat fields to using some of the first wheel
line sprinklers in the Yakima Valley. The crops grown were wheat,
alfalfa hay, corn and the main crop, alfalfa seed. Continued
