Home | Vineyard | Journal | Purchase Naming the Blocks ~ It was Buddy Beck, Lazy River's vineyard manager, who in 2001 told us that he was waiting for the names of our blocks of grapes. It took us two and a half years to accomplish, but we never doubted or debated the selection of the first honoree, Blaze, our lab. Blaze O’s Run ~ Beloved chocolate lab Blaze followed the Lumpkins on multiple trips up and down their first block of Pinot Noir as they pulled weeds and later as they tasted and tested brix for their first harvest in 2002. Blaze did his own testing deftly and delicately pulling off chosen berries from low hanging bunches. Famille Neuville ~ Francoise Neuville came to the Lumpkin family in 1977 as a French exchange student. Subsequently, their friendship grew, nurtured by twenty-seven years of transatlantic visits. In their home at Les Auzerals a half hour outside of Toulouse, her parents Arlette and Jean graciously received various Lumpkins. When Francoise learned of Lazy River Vineyard, she announced in no uncertain terms, "I will be investing in this project and will not take no for an answer." Immigrant Ruff ~ Kirsten Lumpkin's maternal grandparents Wilhelm and Matilda Ruff were German-Russians who came to Hillsboro, Oregon in 1906. They were farmers whose ancestors were brought to Russia by Catherine the Great to work the land in the Ukraine. The Ruff's wine press moves between Lazy River Vineyard and The Carlton Winemakers Studio. Clara Ruff Wedin, Kirsten's mother, graduated from Pacific University in nearby Forest Grove, Oregon. Immigrant Wedin ~ Kirsten Lumpkin's paternal grandparents emigrated from Sweden. Her grandfather August in 1885 filed a claim for land in Svenson, Oregon near Astoria. He later married Emma and farmed in Gresham, Oregon. That place was sold in the 1980's. Kirsten's father, Vernon "Whitey" Wedin graduated from Oregon State College where he played football. He was one of the 1933 Iron Men. Bernie’s Boom ~ Dr. Bernard Booms, professor emeritus of marketing at the University of Washington has been Uncle Bernie to Jeff, Toby and Anna Lumpkin and time- tested friend and advisor to Ned and Kirsten. He is official advisor to Lazy River Vineyard and its marketing plans and ideas. Private Lumpkin ~ When Private Ned Lumpkin entered the Army in 1960 he found himself stationed near Frankfurt and Germany's famous Rheingau wine region. He pooled funds with friends to purchase, taste and compare Rieslings throughout the two years he spent in the region. It launched a life-long passion for wine and a special fondness for Riesling. In 2002 two acres were planted. Alma’s ~ Named for Ned's mother Alma, also the daughter of German-Russian immigrants, she drove tractors on the South Dakota wheat farm of her parents Adam and Lena Prezler. She is at heart a gardener and in June 2003 recalled how enriched she felt after finishing a day of work in her garden. In her eighty-ninth year she eagerly awaits news of the vineyard, and went so far as to taste the family's garage wine and give it her approval. Chuck’s ~ Ned's father moved his family from Richland, Washington to five acres in nearby Burbank, so that he could have some animals, fruit trees, a vegetable garden and especially strawberries. His parents Joseph and Mildred Lumpkin grew apples in Cowiche, Washington. Chuck received a bachelor's and master's degree in history from the University of Idaho in spite of the Great Depression and occasional bouts of malnutrition.     Lazy River Vineyard ~ Yamhill, Oregon Seattle Offices 206.324.6708 Oregon Contact: Carlton Winemakers Studio 503.852.6100 Lumpkin@LazyRiverVineyard.com www.LazyRiverVineyard.com © Lazy River Vineyard, 2003