Page 81 - Southern Oregon Magazine Fall 2022

DAISY CREEK VINEYARD

You might begin to second-guess your navigation system as you wind your
way through a residential neighborhood in Jacksonville en route to Daisy
Creek Vineyard. However, it’s a fitting prelude to the friendly welcome
you’ll receive at Daisy Creek. Founded in 1994 by Russ and Margaret
Lyon, a retired couple from Klamath Falls, this charming boutique win-
ery was brought to life on a 23-acre hay farm adjacent to Daisy Creek.

Today, daughter Jennifer and her husband, Gary, are taking over most of
Daisy Creek’s operations, much to the whole family’s delight. You may
be interested to know that son-in-law Gary is a Nevada Athletics Hall-of-
Famer and daughter Jenn has spent her career managing catering and con-
vention operations at large resorts, including the Grand Sierra Resort.

Looking back at the beginnings of this vineyard, neighboring winery
Valley View Vineyards played an important role. Valley View Vineyards
was looking for more fruit, and in the spirit of collaboration, they planted
three acres of Merlot on the Lyons’ property in exchange for the ripe
fruit that fall. New to grape farming, the Lyons appreciated the local
expertise along with additional advice from the local OSU Extension
and numerous growers in the northern California wine country.

That was just the beginning. In addition to growing and selling its fruit,
Daisy Creek produced its first vintage in 2001. With 11 productive acres
under vine today, their focus is on Rhone varieties due to similarities in
latitude and weather with Rhone Valley, France. Syrah and Viognier are
their hallmarks, along with Marsanne, Roussanne, Chardonnay, Malbec,
Sangiovese, Tempranillo, and Petite Verdot. If you’re interested in a
great variety of estate-grown wines, decorated with numerous awards,
then a visit to Daisy Creek is a must.

Russ and Margaret opened their small, comfortable tasting room in a
converted barn that opens to expansive gardens shaded by trees, color-
ful umbrellas, and climbing grapevines. Russ continues to work the
vineyards and consult with the winemakers. You’ll often find him in the
tasting room enjoying time with his guests and his beloved dog, Kizzie.

In 2020, Margaret passed away after numerous health challenges and
this, along with Covid and the decline in the hospitality industry, was
the perfect storm to inspire their daughter, Jennifer Powers, to join her
father at Daisy Creek. The timing couldn’t be better. This fall, construc-
tion will be complete on the 1,150-square-foot expansion of the origi-
nal tasting room. “This enhances the customer experience and creates
a pleasant environment for year-round visits, larger groups, events and
even weddings,” Jenn says.

With Gary now managing the tasting room, Jenn is managing events and
learning about growing and making wine at Russ’s side. “It’s a big relief
to me,” says Russ, who will turn 90 in December. “I didn’t want to sell,
but I’m ready to step back a bit. I hope Daisy Creek stays in our family
for our grandkids and great grandkids.”

Jenn couldn’t be happier. “The opportunity to work with my dad is such
a blessing. He is my friend, and we have fun together. Even when he
steps back from the day-to-day operations, he will remain an inspiration
to all we do here.”