Our Legacy

The Heritage

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 Vineyards 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.

The Adventurous Start

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.

Finding a Reason to Stay

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.

Building a Future

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 George Vance with a load of hay

James and his son George with a load of hay.

A Provider and Protector

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.

A Legacy Cut Short

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.

Upholding Values

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.

Turning the Page

Decades later, that same soil called for a new vision. Scott and Debbie stepped up to write the next chapter of the family's story on this land. Transforming the historic farm into a premium vineyard meant laying new roots while honoring the old ones—including building the home that now watches over the vines.

Laying the foundation for a new era on the family land.

Scott preparing the soil and tending to the growing estate.

Cultivating the Dream

Turning sagebrush and alfalfa into a thriving vineyard doesn't happen by accident. It takes the same gritty determination James and George relied on. Through careful planning, faith, and countless hours working row by row, Scott and Debbie have shaped Legacy Vineyards into what it is today.

Debbie bringing in the harvest, a labor of love.

A Family Affair

A legacy isn't meant to be kept; it is meant to be passed down. Today, when harvest season arrives, the vineyard is filled with the voices of the next generations. Children and grandchildren gather in the rows to pick, stomp, and learn the value of a hard day's work.

Grandkids picking grapes in the vineyard

The youngest generation learning the ropes during harvest.

Hands-on history: Processing the grapes together.

The Fruits of Labor

The vineyard has become more than just an agricultural endeavor; it is a classroom and a gathering place. Here, surrounded by vines they helped plant and harvest, the family continues to learn that the best things in life take time, patience, and a lot of faith.

Generations working together in the vines

Generations side-by-side, sharing the work and the reward.

Looking Forward

This vineyard is a testament to that original 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.