Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/450509
54 FEBRUARY 1, 2015 GOOD FRUIT GROWER www.goodfruit.com Steven Thompson and Kris Fade grower / Mosier, Oregon and White Salmon, Washington age / Fade (30) and Thompson (42) crops / wine grapes, cherries business / Analemma Wines other / The Oregon couple married after founding winery fi ve years ago in the heart of the Columbia River Gorge. PLAY goodfruit.com/yg scan to watch the interview LAST BITE More Young Growers at goodfruit.com/yg " " " How did you start farming? Steven: We started farming wine based on getting an opportunity to lease one of the oldest vineyards in the Pacifi c Northwest. We jumped right in in 2010, and we didn't have a place to live, so it required living in the top of a horse barn for about the fi rst four months until we were able to establish ourselves. What start-up challenges did you face? Kris: Fail early and course correct is something my dad said when we started. Having that persistence and creativity got us through those fi rst years. Steven: We learned a lot of things that year, including that the Pinot Noir that was growing there ... makes a completely different style of wine than we originally set out to make. Kris: We originally wrote out a business plan around producing a red wine. ... All of a sudden, midway through the season, we had to make a big diversion and recalibrate. It was a big deal. What are your future goals? Steven: It's paramount to our business that we be growers/ producers. We act very intentional when we are farming and when we are producing the wine to craft something very special, unique, and soulful. Kris: For us, we are doing the farming ourselves, and we are learning from the land every year. We have an opportunity by gently farming to express what's there in the soil. It's a really exciting time to be part of growing. by TJ Mullinax More from this interview and other Young Growers at goodfruit.com/yg. " We are learning from the land every year.