Client Spotlight: Durant at Red Ridge Farms
Perched in the rolling hills of Oregon’s Willamette Valley, Durant at Red Ridge Farms is a distinctive agricultural destination where tradition, innovation, and stewardship intersect. Known for producing award-winning olive oil and estate wines, the Durant family has built a multifaceted operation that reflects both the richness of the land and a deep commitment to its long-term health.
A Diversified Farm with Deep Roots
The Durant family has been farming in Oregon since the early 1970s, when they first planted vineyards in what would become the renowned Dundee Hills AVA. Over time, the farm has evolved into a diversified operation that includes wine grapes, olives, and lavender, each crop thoughtfully integrated into the broader landscape. This diversity is more than aesthetic. It’s a deliberate strategy to support soil health, increase biodiversity, and create resilience across the farm system. Olive trees, for example, are suited to the region’s microclimate and offer a complementary harvest window to wine grapes, helping to balance labor and production cycles throughout the year.
Pioneering Olive Oil in Oregon
Durant at Red Ridge Farms is among the early pioneers of commercial olive growing and milling in Oregon. Their on-site olive mill allows them to control the entire process, from harvest to pressing, ensuring freshness, quality, and traceability. By investing in infrastructure and expertise, the Durants have helped establish Oregon as an emerging region for premium olive oil production. Their estate grown oils reflect the terroir of the Willamette Valley, offering a distinctly regional expression that pairs seamlessly with the farm’s culinary and hospitality programs.
Stewardship at the Center
As a Food Alliance certified operation, Durant at Red Ridge Farms takes a holistic approach to sustainability, one that integrates environmental stewardship with responsible business practices and worker wellbeing. Their model reflects a systems-based understanding of agriculture, where soil health, biodiversity, and human capital are all essential to long-term success.
Across the farm, a range of practices are implemented to support ecosystem balance and resilience:
Soil health and land management: Rotational sheep grazing is used to naturally aerate soils and manage vegetation, reducing the need for synthetic inputs while improving soil structure. This is paired with no-till farming practices and targeted erosion prevention measures that protect topsoil and maintain long-term fertility.
Biodiversity and habitat support: The farm actively encourages beneficial wildlife as part of its integrated pest management approach. Native bat populations are supported to help control insect pressure, while Birds of Prey programs introduce raptors that naturally manage rodent populations. In addition, efforts to revive and reintroduce native plant species strengthen habitat diversity and ecological balance.
Water and input conservation: With a focus on efficiency and resource stewardship, Durant prioritizes minimal water usage across operations. Weed management is handled through mechanical treatment methods, avoiding herbicides and reducing chemical impact on the surrounding environment.
Pollinator health: Bee colonies are maintained on-site, playing a dual role in pollination and supporting cover crops that contribute to soil health. This investment in pollinators reinforces the farm’s broader commitment to biodiversity and ecosystem function.
Certifications and standards: In addition to Food Alliance certification, the operation is also Kosher certified, reflecting attention to product integrity and adherence to rigorous processing standards.
People and workplace practices: Stewardship at Durant extends beyond the land to include a strong commitment to employees. The farm provides comprehensive benefits, including education support, a 401(k) program, health insurance, and paid time off. There is also an emphasis on workplace safety and equity, ensuring that the people behind the operation are supported, valued, and able to thrive.
Together, these practices illustrate a comprehensive approach to stewardship that recognizes that truly sustainable agriculture depends not just on how food is grown, but on how land, resources, and people are cared for over time.
Beyond production, Durant at Red Ridge Farms offers a robust visitor experience that invites guests to connect more deeply with agriculture. From olive oil tastings and vineyard tours to seasonal events and farm-to-table offerings, the property is designed as a place of education and enjoyment.
This direct connection between farm and visitor helps bridge the gap between production and consumption, an increasingly important piece of building a more transparent and resilient food system.
Looking Ahead
Durant at Red Ridge Farms continues to evolve while staying grounded in the values that have guided the family for decades. By investing in diversified crops, innovative processing, and responsible land stewardship, they offer a compelling model for what the future of agriculture in the Pacific Northwest can look like.
Their work reflects a broader shift toward systems that are not only productive, but regenerative, supporting both the land and the communities connected to it.