The early pioneer years at Knudsen Vineyard were rich with exploration, and Cal and Julia Lee Knudsen were eager to share the joy of vineyard life with friends and family. That spirit became the foundation of the Knudsen Vineyards harvest tradition that continued for generations.
“The entire Knudsen family laid out the first rows in the vineyard and planted the first vines. Cal and Julia Lee’s children and their friends worked at the vineyard for a number of summers before moving away to attend college…”
Harvest in the Early Years
Established in 1971, Knudsen Vineyards had become the largest vineyard in Oregon just four years later. With plenty of fruit hanging heavy on the vines, Cal and Julia Lee called upon friends and family to roll up their sleeves and join in the fun of harvest season.
When guests arrived at the vineyard, each person was given a set of clippers and a bucket with simple instructions: head to a row and start picking. A full bucket became the ticket to the after-party, where wine, food, and music were plentiful. One year, a roving accordion player even entertained the conscripted workers.
This annual celebration continued for many years, transforming the hard work of harvest into a gathering of family, friends, wine, and community.
Reviving the Knudsen Vineyards Harvest Tradition
In 2014, the second generation of the Knudsen family revived the Harvest Party, bringing back a celebration that had been such an important part of the vineyard’s early years.
In 2021, that tradition took on even greater significance as Knudsen Vineyards celebrated its 50th anniversary. The anniversary Harvest Party welcomed guests back to the historic Dundee Hills estate for a behind-the-scenes look at the vineyard, its history, and the generations of family who have cared for it.
Celebrating 50 Years
The Knudsen Vineyards harvest tradition came full circle on September 18, 2021, when more than a dozen second- and third-generation Knudsen family members gathered with guests to celebrate five decades of vineyard history.
The anniversary celebration included a progressive tour and tasting experience through the estate, along with personal stories from members of the Knudsen family and reflections on the viticultural innovations that helped shape the property and the Dundee Hills wine region.
Unlike the harvest gatherings of the 1970s, guests were not required to fill a bucket of grapes before joining the party.
From the first family plantings and informal harvest crews to today’s gatherings at the estate, harvest has always been about more than bringing in the grapes. It is a celebration of the vineyard, the people who care for it, and the family and community that have surrounded Knudsen Vineyards since 1971.
Page Knudsen Cowles
Owner & Managing Partner
