Steven Whiteside
Steven Whiteside is the proprietor of Bella Vida Vineyard. Drawn to the Dundee Hills by a friendship with David and Suzanne Maresh, he was blessed to develop a special relationship with David’s parents, Jim and Loie (Dundee Hills pioneers), who provided deep inspiration and guidance. It was these relationships that set the roots of Bella Vida, a truly “beautiful life.”
Steven (President of the Vines), one of eight boys and two girls, was born in Soaplake, Washington, and spent several years along the Oregon Coast prior to moving to Arizona with his family. He has two sons, Steven Jr. and Ryan, who visit when they can and assist with the many vineyard chores that accompany the “beautiful life.” Steven retired in 2017 after specializing in pediatric orthotics and prosthetics in Tucson, but now lives full time at Bella Vida where he can tend to his vines daily.
Steven has always enjoyed the camaraderie that surrounds the community effort of farming in the Dundee Hills. To be able to share this experience is a true blessing and good fortune.
Oh, by the way, if you are thinking of getting into the “hands-on” vineyard / wine business, the only thing romantic about it is the wine. The rest is all work, hard work. Just something to consider when you are feeling romantic. Ah, enlightenment.
Steven (President of the Vines), one of eight boys and two girls, was born in Soaplake, Washington, and spent several years along the Oregon Coast prior to moving to Arizona with his family. He has two sons, Steven Jr. and Ryan, who visit when they can and assist with the many vineyard chores that accompany the “beautiful life.” Steven retired in 2017 after specializing in pediatric orthotics and prosthetics in Tucson, but now lives full time at Bella Vida where he can tend to his vines daily.
Steven has always enjoyed the camaraderie that surrounds the community effort of farming in the Dundee Hills. To be able to share this experience is a true blessing and good fortune.
Oh, by the way, if you are thinking of getting into the “hands-on” vineyard / wine business, the only thing romantic about it is the wine. The rest is all work, hard work. Just something to consider when you are feeling romantic. Ah, enlightenment.
Ted Leroy Crawford
A man seemingly born in the vineyard, Ted managed our vines for many years and became the most reliable member of our team. Whether it was gopher control (a story in itself ) or presenting our finest Pinot in the tasting room, Ted was always there. Both a hands-in-the-dirt farmer and a vineyard gentleman, Ted's humble demeanor and contagious smile are a deeply entrenched part of our vineyard's personality and character. While we lost Ted in 2012, he is with us every day as we look out across the vines. More than our vineyard care taker, more than Steven's right hand man repairing or maintaining equipment or amending soils, Ted was our family.
In Ted's honor we are developing a special signature TLC Pinot Noir to support a technical scholarship fund. To be sure the wine truly reflects Ted, we are allowing it to age properly, gain some deep character and establish flavors that will put a smile on everyone's face. Keep your glass ready for the release of TLC because if Ted has his way, our tasting pours will be just a bit more generous than normal. Now tasting the 2015 Vintage in our tasting room.
In Ted's honor we are developing a special signature TLC Pinot Noir to support a technical scholarship fund. To be sure the wine truly reflects Ted, we are allowing it to age properly, gain some deep character and establish flavors that will put a smile on everyone's face. Keep your glass ready for the release of TLC because if Ted has his way, our tasting pours will be just a bit more generous than normal. Now tasting the 2015 Vintage in our tasting room.
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Ashlee Fox
Tasting Room Associate/Accounting Industry Professional, Concert Enthusiast, Future CPA, All-Around Rockstar |