From the vine to the bottle. Colorful labels give distinction  and add an elegant touch to their presentation. Photo by Chris Thorn

By CHRIS THORN

Matt and Patrick Rawn have a wealth of experience when it comes to knowing the soils in the Yakima Valley, due to four generations of farmers in their lineage. The duo has used their knowledge to expand and establish Two Mountain Winery in Zillah.

According to their website, in 1951 Matt and Patrick’s grandfather, Phil Schmidt, established Schmidt Orchards with 40 acres of peaches, apricots, prunes, and apples. Matt and Patrick planted Copeland Vineyard in 2000 with their uncle, Ron Schmidt, and crushed their first vintage in 2002.

Ron passed away a few years later and Matt and Patrick took over the family winery in 2006. They began their ownership by narrowing their focus because the acreage owned by the family included not only the vineyard, but also many acres of other fruit.

“We decided to only focus on grapes and wine,” Matt said. “Our goal was to grow the brand and product.”

The St. Aubin family has operated Fruit City for 45 years. Lynn and Jr. St. Aubin currently run the fruit business. Chris Thorn photo

Opened for business in 1966

By CHRIS THORN

Some say a trade or skill runs in the genes and that sure seems to be the case for Lynn and Jr. St. Aubin, the owners of Fruit City in Union Gap.

Andre and Sue St. Aubin opened Fruit City in 1966 in Union Gap before handing the reigns over to their sons in the 90s.

“They opened it to create a good business,” Lynn said of his parents.

“When they set it up originally, this was the freeway before Interstate 82 got built,” Jr. added.

Cold Spring weather delays cherry season

By Amber Schlenker

A cooler Spring season brought this year’s cherry crop a little late.

Roger and Mary Odell began harvesting on their leased property last week. 

“The weather was so cold, we just didn’t have the greatest weather for growing,” property owner Jeannine Merry said. 

Merry and the Odell’s agree the last harvest resulted in fewer cherries, but this year they are larger. 

“They are finally ready and they look beautiful,” Merry added. 

Hummingbird Enterprises, operated by Mary and Roger Odell has been growing cherries for years now. Mary Odell said this year the weather caused several setbacks that caused the later cherry harvest.  

“Since it was cold it resulted in poor pollination weather for the bees,” Odell said. 

Due to the weather there is less harvest, but according to Odell the fruit is larger. 

Shoppers at last summer’s Yakima Farmers’ Market browse fresh produce from Imperial’s Garden. The market will open May 9.  Denise Keller photo

By DENISE KELLER

The approach of swimsuit season is not the only thing that has people watching their weight these days. The continually increasing number of studies linking obesity to health problems such as diabetes and heart disease is causing people to become more serious about maintaining a healthy body weight, according to Patricia Edwards, a clinical dietician at Yakima Regional. 

Although obesity rates seem to be stabilizing, America is experiencing “an epidemic of obesity,” Edwards says. One in three American adults are obese, according to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

The Darwin mechanical thinner makes a pass down a row of dormant high-density sweet cherries during field trials at Hanrahan Orchards north of Buena Feb. 12. It was the first use of the machine in this application. Richard Burger photo

By RICHARD BURGER

A mechanical thinner successfully employed in apples, pears, and soft fruit was tested for the first time on dormant cherries near Buena Feb. 12.

Field trials took place at Hanrahan Orchards in a block of high-density sweet cherries, as part of the Yakima Valley Soft Fruit Day hosted by Washington State University and the Washington State Fruit Commission at Buena Grange.

Jordan Matson addresses the Selah City Council at its Feb. 9 meeting. At the meeting, the council cleared the way for Matson plans to expand its operation. Chris Thorn photo

By CHRIS THORN

It’s taken more than two years, but during the Selah City Council meeting Feb. 9, the Matson family and their friends finally heard what they’ve been yearning for, a resounding yes to expand their business.

“There has been a tremendous investment in time and effort in preparing this development agreement, countless hours,” said Rod Matson. “I want to thank everyone, all our friends and supporters.”