Deer Creek Vineyards

For Sale – 70.47 acres in southern Oregon’s Illinois Valley; 3-bedroom home; 30 acres of vineyards; 1,024-square-foot tasting room; large winery facility; shop or barn; water rights; 2 ponds; 2 wells and beautiful panoramic view. Property also includes grazing pastures and hay production. Asking $2.25 million.

Every once in a while, I come across a winery on the selling block. Typically, it’s the other way around: The wineries I visit often have new owners — many of them recent immigrants to Oregon — who have brought a renewed energy to the business. However, my visit to Deer Creek Vineyard uncovered the opposite situation. In this case, the current owners, Gary and Ann Garnett, were hoping to sell the vineyard and move to their existing residence in Arizona.

The lucky buyer will inherit a turnkey operation. After considerable work, Gary and Ann converted a derelict farm into prime real estate, complete with well-manicured grounds, 30 acres of chardonnay, pinot gris, and pinot noir vines, a large production facility, and a view to die for. Not only that, the new owner will also acquire an established brand — the Deer Creek Vineyards label — in the deal. At 8,000 cases annually, the new proprietor won’t be starting from scratch. He or she can join in the bottling line on day one.

When asked about making wine in Arizona, Ann laughed and remarked that their goal is to retire. They have places to see and friends to visit. They wish to fill their days having time to relax, rather than working sunup to sundown. I suspect that they will maintain a private stash of Deer Creek Vineyard wine for an evening glass or two in the Arizona desert.

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  Deer Creek Vineyards was featured in WineTrails of Oregon as part of the Illinois Valley WineTrail on page !