Wine
Long Walk Winery
Hidden in plain view—and with a view
Story by Lynn Leissler
Photography by David Gibb
Tim and Kathy O’Leary met in college, married, and honeymooned in the South of France where they fell in love with the region’s wine, not knowing that years later they would produce their own similar vintages. The O’Learys later vacationed in Southern Oregon, and fell in love with this area as well. Twenty-five years ago, they became the owners of the historic Valley View Orchard and 50 acres of land. Referring to themselves as California tech industry refugees, they embarked on second careers.
They decided to maintain the orchards, boxing and selling the fruit. Today, they grow 27 kinds and varieties of fruit, including cherries, apples, peaches, pears, and apricots. Now however, instead of boxing and selling, they offer u-pick and membership subscriptions for customer order and pick up. About two thousand families are part of the “orchard family,” many of them multi-generational with the older ones remembering back when.
I asked about the name, an often-asked question. At the outset, their new venture seemed to name itself. It was a “long walk” from California to Oregon when they had two kids still in school and traveled back and forth before completing the transition. Further, ask pickers toting full buckets of apples or peaches, and they will affirm that it’s a long walk from the orchard to the fruit shed.
From the beginning, the O’Learys sought two changes: transition to organic, and grow wine grapes. They have accomplished both goals—and more.
A couple of years into ownership, they planted an eleven-acre vineyard. They sold the grapes to other wineries and still do to an extent. Five years ago, they pursued another dream and forged a partnership with a winemaker at Carlton Winemakers Studio, (southwest of Portland), a cooperative winery where numerous winemakers craft wines in one space. Tim, in charge of marketing and sales, sees in this a benefit for Southern Oregon. People in the northern areas of Oregon become acquainted with us as a healthy, viable, and expanding wine region. As he says, “We are all Oregon.” Wine club members from that area have come to see where it all happens and learn about the region—its beauty, its outdoor recreational opportunities, its broad array of activities.
When in addition to growing grapes, they started to bottle and sell wine starting with the 2010 vintage, they debated then settled on the name. It would be the Long Walk Vineyard.
The vineyard is planted in Syrah, Mourvèdre, Carignane, Grenache,and Cinsault grapes, the basis of award-winning Rhone-style wines with high scores. In response to many requests for a white wine option, they added a Sauvignon Blanc. And, against the advice of many, they serve Zinfandel, which has become what they call a “cult wine.”
In 2022, Long Walk introduced a premium red wine blend, Field of Stars, a co-fermented blend of estate-grown Syrah, Mourvèdre, Carignane, and Grenache grapes. The name was inspired by the O’Leary’s trek on the iconic Camino de Santiago in Europe. (The website tells the full story.) Their third vintage was recently bottled.
The tasting house was once a woodshop. When the O’Learys undertook an extensive remodel, they incorporated building materials from other onsite structures. Zinc panels from the chicken coop now front the bar. One-hundred-year-old wood from a razed barn has been repurposed as flooring, a door, the bar, and a large table for their guests.
The patio off the tasting house offers seating at umbrella-shaded tables. Even on hot summer days, a light breeze takes the edge off. Whether you sit inside or out, the view is grand—the vineyard and orchards, farmland, Ashland, and distant mountains. It’s not hard to imagine yourself relaxing with a glass of wine and good company while taking in the panoramic vista. The label for Field of Stars, hand-drawn by their partner artist, Colby Brooks, is a beautiful and intriguing depiction of the view on a starry night.
COVID hit them hard, but Kathy and Tim realized something valuable in that season. Scrambling to keep their business going, they became acutely aware that “places like this helped keep the community alive.” The prohibition on u-picking became the impetus for CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) boxes, a program that continues today and includes seven boxes of fruit, depending on what’s ripe.
In a world struggling in so many ways and people pulling apart, “Community gathering spots are more necessary than they have ever been. We need to be together,” Tim stresses. “People feel good when they are at Long Walk.” He gave a shout-out to tasting house manager Chris Vanini, calling him a one-man community builder. Kathy, CEO and vintner, adds, “We love to see local customers coming to get local products. We feel very good about doing our best for this place and for the people who work here.” Local products include the wine of course, but also honey, jam, sauces, and sometimes hand-pressed cider in the fall.
Many pickers finish in early afternoon, then set their fruit aside and enjoy a glass of wine in the tasting house’s relaxed atmosphere. The O’Learys are serious about their wine, but want Long Walk, a kid- and pet-friendly venue, to be a fun place as well. It is obvious that both Kathy and Tim find joy in what they do.
Onsite events are meant to appeal to everyone—from Boomers to Gen Z. Last summer they hosted fruit-themed barbecues in a collaboration with a startup business, Slow Burn Foods, Reid Levin the owner and pit master. For example, meat cooked over cherry wood was served with a cherry sauce, and the same for peach wood and peach sauce.
They also threw a Summer Chiller Party in partnership with Foris Winery in Cave Junction, serving wine chillers. In August, guests were treated to a hula demonstration. They host wine club dinners as well.
A new concept was recently launched—a Long Walk wine of the month paired with a known walk/hike, and five percent of the sale proceeds going to a related cause. The initial event featured the Pacific Crest Trail, which runs through Western Oregon. The idea is to connect the wine to the walk to the cause.
While most of the events mentioned have passed, many will be repeated and more added in the future. The website provides information on upcoming events. Throughout autumn, Long Walk will host harvest events.
Whether for an event or someone just dropping by, food is always available. “We are world famous for our charcuterie boards,” Tim says, grinning. “Seriously,” he adds, “we do sell food, including cheese and charcuterie boards that are popular with our customers.”
The property is home to many species of birds, bats, forest animals, a community of bees, and a rafter of turkeys. Long Walk is committed to sustainable and restorative practices. They recently restored almost two acres of habitat, planted with more than one hundred native plant species to support pollinators and other insects beneficial to the orchard and vineyard. Other projects are in the works.
A final note from Tim: “We want people to know who we are and where we are.” He and Kathy feel they are a local secret, but want to be known far and wide. Drop by, have a glass of wine or a flight, buy a bottle or two; sit and enjoy with a charcuterie board, and you will have a new favorite—with a view.
1800 N. Valley View Rd., Ashland
541-552-0534
