Red Willow Vineyard

Generations

Red Willow is part of a fourth generation family farm established by Clyde Stephenson in the early 1920’s. Mike Sauer married into the Stephenson family and began the vineyard in the early 70’s.

Mike Sauer (left) and David Lake, Red Willow Vineyard, Yakima Valley, ca. 1990s
The Sauer family, 2019. Mike's granddaughter working with the crew at Red Willow Vineyard, 2020. Group of people at Red Willow Vineyard Vineyard workers relaxing in the shade +46
Workers picking grapes at Red Willow Vineyard Masters of Wine from around the world gather at Red Willow Vineyard Baby featured on a background of grape clusters The early generations of the Stephenson Farm. VIntage photo of Pioneers of Washington Wine in 1995 Mike Sauer at Red Willow Vineyard, 2024. Baby sitting in a bin of grape clusters at Red Willow Vineyard Children picking grapes at Red Willow Vineyard David Lake examining Syrah vines at Red Willow Vineyard (2002) Child looking out over the rows of grapes at Red Willow Vineyard Mike Sauer and Peter Dow in 2014 Mike Sauer, Mike's son-in-law Rick, and Peter Dow at Red Willow Vineyard Mike Sauer receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award Red Willow Vineyard worker picking grapes Vintage photo of farmers threshing wheat by hand. Vintage photo of George Carter and Dr. Walter Clore in the late 1990s Mike Sauer received the Lifetime Achievement award at the Washington winegrowers convention, 2020 Harold Stephenson in the early 1950s operating a self-propelled combine. Pioneers of Washington wine in 1986 Geologists Larry Meinert and Alan Busacca examine the ancient volcanic soils of Red Willow Vineyard during a 2004 field study. Mike Sauer (left) and Dr. Walter Clore (right) with Ron Irvine and George Carter in 1997. Mike and Karen Sauer (standing) with Karen's grandparents Clyde and Ida Stephenson, March 1969 Mike Sauer with his sons Jonathan, Daniel and son-in-law Rick, 2019 Mike Sauer's daughter Rachel and son-and-law Rick. Jonathan Sauer and his wife Kelly Workers in the rows of grapevines at Red Willow Vineyard Worker picking grapes at Red Willow Vineyard Group of kids at the chapel of Red Willow Vineyard Washington wine pioneers gather at Red Willow Vineyard in the late 1970s Mike and Jonathan Sauer, Red Willow Vineyard, Yakima Valley, June 12, 2012 Blessing the Harvest at Red Willow Vineyard Hoeing by hand at Red Willow Vineyard. The princess Farmer at Red Willow Vineyard Welcoming the Washington Association of Wine Grape Growers (WAWGG) for a vineyard tour and industry exchange in 2009. Clyde Stephenson family farm, Yakima Valley, 1930s Children picking blueberries Workers picking grapes at Red Willow Vineyard Red Willow Vineyard Workers David Lake, Mike Sauer and Edgar Martinez at Red Willow Vineyard Grape picking at sunset at Red Willow Vineyard July, 2021. One of the best Yakima Valley wine lists we've seen, amazing food and great atmosphere; we had a great evening at Canyon River Grill. Chef Kevin and his team did not disappoint. Mike Sauer with his sons Jonathan and Daniel and son-in-law Rick Willsey. Kids run through Red Willow Vineyard Karen and Mike Sauer with Gus the dog, 2008

Today, along with Mike, sons Daniel and Jonathan, and son in law Rick are all involved with the continuity of the family farm.

More generations are sure to follow.

Teenage brothers and cousins, already hard at work on their family vineyard.

In farming there is no substitute for the soil, water, and hard work. Inherently, the nature of farming brings a spiritual dimension to our efforts. There is a connection of past, present, and future generations.

For us wine brings the soil, the site, the season, and the efforts of many people together into a single vintage. Later that vintage becomes a cherished memory of that year.

— Mike Sauer
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