One of my mother’s favorite views was from just below the Knudsen Vineyards cabin, looking southeast across the vineyard. In homage to her, we named the Chardonnay vines planted there “Julia Lee’s Block.” The last she would have gazed upon this scene was in 1990 when she passed away gently at the cabin. The vines in Julia Lee’s Block were little more than seedlings at the time. If only she could see them now, and celebrate with us how Knudsen Vineyards has grown. Our tasting room is scheduled to open this year!
My mother was a warm, generous, extroverted, and lively person. Born in 1925, she was a proudly independent college graduate of the University of Washington, who worked as an elementary school teacher in Brooklyn, NY, before and in the early days of my parents’ marriage.
My father, C. Calvert “Cal” Knudsen, was inexorably attracted by my mother’s self-sufficient and pragmatic nature, not to mention her athletic good looks. Wed in 1950, the very equal relationship they created and valued was in many ways progressive for its time.
The ‘Founders Series’ Label Release from Knudsen Vineyards
I am proud to introduce that in the fall of 2021 we will release some very special wines, the “Founders Series”, with labels to honor Cal and Julia Lee, including the “JLK Chardonnay” in celebration of my mother.
This Mother’s Day, I will toast to my mother, who realized a long-held dream of growing grapes and making wine, which I am fortunate to continue today as my passion.
May you raise a glass to the phenomenal mother figure in your life. And to all you mothers, I encourage you to raise a glass to congratulate yourselves on the positive influence you have in the lives of so many others.
Mother’s day is Sunday, May 10th, 2021
Knudsen Vineyards offers a top-notch selection of wine, but choosing for someone else can be a challenge! We’ve taken the guesswork out of giving the exceptional gift of wine by offering eGift Cards, which are delivered instantly to the recipient via email.
Page with her husband Jay (left), children Luca (center), Colin (right), Maxwell (front), and future daughter in-law Liza (second from right).
Page Knudsen Cowles
Owner & Managing Partner
