Rooted in family, grown with care.
Our Vineyard Story
Meet Our Family
Passionately committed to producing quality wine from our hand-tended vines right here in Stevens County, WA.
Remembering The Visionary
Brian Benson could often be found around the winery where he created everything from the wine, to the patios and rock walls. Brian's passion for creating a legacy, the future of the community and pouring his energy into his business is evident everywhere we look. Watching his dream from vine to bottle become a reality brought an extra twinkle to his eyes.
Brian was diagnosed with Glioblastoma grade 4 in February 2021 and fought until he passed on June 5th, 2022. Even though he has passed on, when you come join us at the winery you'll enjoy hearing stories of his mischief and successes.
He is deeply missed.
Vineyard Manager and Kitchen Master
John Schuldheisz spends his days in the alfalfa fields and vineyard and enjoys his weekends in the tasting room kitchen creating stunning menu items, and meticulously cleaning.
John is often caught in the vineyard discussing his dream antipasto platter that is sourced 100% from our farm.
Together with his wife and 3 children he lives on the vineyard property.
Winemaker, Marketing and Events
Leah Schuldheisz has stepped into her new role as winemaker with great pride. Following in her father's footsteps as winemaker after being his assistant for many years, she proves herself passionately committed to FVV's mission statement of producing quality wines with the grapes grown right here!
She also creates both public and private events at the tasting room throughout the year.
Meeting new friends and traveling as a vendor is one of her favorite parts of the job. More often than not she is working in the winery with her 3 children close beside her.
Flower Lady and Quality Control Trio
When you visit us at the winery, you’ll notice the back patio is adorned with gorgeous hanging baskets and planters - all lovingly started, planted, and cared for by our very own Kathy Benson.
Kathy owned Fruitland Service Station with her husband, Brian, for over thirty years. In 2012, Kathy and John planted the first vines together in the vineyard, making her an integral part of the team from day one. Kathy is now retired and is learning how to “smell the roses” and enjoy time with family and friends.
Here she is accompanied by her 3 grandchildren named Henry, Ayla and Lucy, who also help in the vineyard, checking grape sugar content through the harvest season.
Varietals
We've planted 9 varieties on our vineyard. The 5 red grapes; Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, and Petit Verdot create both bold single varietal wines as well as compliment each other in our blended Bordeaux style wine. The 4 white grapes; Orange Muscat, Pinot Gris, Riesling, and Sauvignon Blanc are prefect for a sweet or dry wine allowing us to tailor our wine making to our customers.
First Harvest
After planting the vines in 2012 we were able to pull our first harvest in 2014. We sold to winemakers and home winemakers in Washington and Oregon as we set our own winery in motion. Selling grapes to the home wine maker was a highlight of the year! Everyone was so enthusiastic about our grapes and what they produced from them. We knew we had started something special here in Fruitland.
Our grapes now
Now all grapes grown here at Fruitland Valley Vineyard go directly to our winery for production. We still hand tend them, weed by machine and shovel and mow the rows weekly. They get lots of love and attention in the months of April through November.
Our vines are watered with drip irrigation and monitored closely. The grapes get bird netting on them about a month before harvest as we have quite a bit of wildlife in our area such as turkeys and quail, not to mention all the other beautiful birds in our area.
Lake Roosevelt Terroir
Now all grapes grown here at Fruitland Valley Vineyard go directly to our winery for production. We still hand tend them, weed by machine and shovel and mow the rows weekly. They get lots of love and attention in the months of April through November.
Our vines are watered with drip irrigation and monitored closely. The grapes get bird netting on them about a month before harvest as we have quite a bit of wildlife in our area such as turkeys and quail, not to mention all the other beautiful birds in our area.
The Beginning
Now all grapes grown here at Fruitland Valley Vineyard go directly to our winery for production. We still hand tend them, weed by machine and shovel and mow the rows weekly. They get lots of love and attention in the months of April through November.
Our vines are watered with drip irrigation and monitored closely. The grapes get bird netting on them about a month before harvest as we have quite a bit of wildlife in our area such as turkeys and quail, not to mention all the other beautiful birds in our area.
