Schmidt Family Vineyards

Dateline Applegate Valley: Cabinetmaker-Turned-Dirt-Guy Makes Wine

You have to admire people who reinvent their lives and do something completely different. Such is the storyline behind the emergence of Schmidt Family Vineyards and its owners, Judy and Cal Schmidt. Though he owned a successful cabinetry business (Northwestern Design), Cal longed to farm the land and grow premium wine grapes. He began taking viticulture classes and in 2000, purchased a former ranch in the Missouri Flat area of Applegate Valley. The Schmidts kept the cabinetry business, but there’s no doubt that the demands of their successful winery consume most of their time.

Beginning in 2001, they converted a large chunk of the 12 acres into rows of cabernet sauvignon, merlot and syrah. Additional plantings of other varietals have since followed, including a Spanish-derived varietal called albarino. But the centerpiece of their property has to be the tasting room itself, where Craftsman style meets Northwest elegance and spills into an outdoor garden with inviting deck chairs and tables. (Note to WineTrail trekkers: Bring a picnic lunch.) Judy happens to be a Master Gardener, and this helps explain the winery’s overall landscaping, including the flower and herb garden. Little wonder that their wine bottle label features a drawing of an herb, which gets me thinking about an herb-crusted rack of lamb to pair with their cabernet sauvignon.

The Schmidt Family Vineyards offers plenty of space to host events, including weddings, corporate meetings, and family reunions. In addition to the flower and herb garden, visitors can mill about, enjoying a large pond and taking in the views of the surrounding area.

To complete the transition from an abandoned ranch to a first-class winery, Cal and Judy turned to winemaker Bryan Wilson to transform their fruit into wine. In 2006, the winery released its first vintage and evidently it struck a cord with folks who like wine – the vintage sold out. Chief among the winery’s early releases are merlot, cabernet sauvignon, and syrah, as well as a red blend with the cool name of Soulea. Greater production (but not to exceed 5,000 cases) and more varietals are in store for Schmidt Family Vineyards. However, the day that I happened upon the winery, it was the Soulea that appealed to my palate. I bought a bottle, retreated to the outside garden area, and gave myself a nice pour. What a perfect setting for a wine in full bloom.

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  Schmidt Family Vineyards was featured in WineTrails of Oregon as part of the Applegate Valley WineTrail on page !