Our Legacy
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The legacy you're living with is your heritage—the basic principles and culture handed down from your ancestors. The piece of ground on which Legacy Vineyard sits has been in the Vance family since James Otis Vance cleared much of the sagebrush and began working the land in the early 1920s.
The original flume that brought water to the land.
At just 12, James Vance left home with his younger brother George, who was only 8, to seek their fortune. They began working on the San Francisco shipping docks. George stayed in the Bay area and found success in construction, while James continued to wander.
James Otis Vance, the family patriarch.
James' journey led him north, working odd jobs and cattle ranches until he arrived in Wilder. Here, he met the Karn family and their daughter, Harriet. James proposed, and they were married on September 26, 1923, marking the start of a new chapter.
Harriet "Hattie" Vance, the matriarch.
Harriet's parents, initially concerned about James' lack of prospects, provided the couple with a small homestead. James worked tirelessly over the next three and a half decades, not only providing for his wife and their six children but also supporting extended family and others in need during tough times.
James and his son George with a load of hay.
James cultivated crops, raised cattle and pigs, and maintained a large vegetable garden, ensuring his family and others were well-fed. His commitment to farming was a testament to his dedication and hard work.
Farm life: The Vance children with their cousins.
James passed away unexpectedly at the age of 56. At that time, his youngest son, George, was only 18 and had just begun college. George returned home to help his mother manage the farm, a role he embraced as life took a different turn.
A young George Vance on the steps of the original house.
In those years that James raised his four daughters and two sons he established his legacy: a legacy of family, of farming, and of faith—a necessary component when so much of your future depends on things out of your control.
This vineyard is a testament to that legacy. Vineyards are a long-term commitment; what you do with the vines today will be evident for years to come. James' commitment has been passed down four generations; our goal is that it will be passed to many more.