Elkton’s First Winery

River’s Edge Winery began in 1996 with the purchase of two vineyards.

Mike and Vonnie Landt purchased Black Oak Vineyard and Elkton Vineyard from Ken and Mary Thomason, who planted the vineyards in 1972.

In 2000, the winery was constructed on the western edge of Elkton, three miles from the vineyards and a stone’s throw from the Umpqua River. The first vintage crushed at the new winery was that fall, with Mike and Vonnie assuming winemaking duties. They were assisted in their early years by John Eliassen, a French-trained winemaker who owned his own winery, La Bete.

For several years the Landts lived in the Midwest and commuted for the busy months of the winemaking year. It wasn’t until 2005 that Mike and Vonnie quit their day jobs and moved full time to Elkton.

Tyler first met Mike and Vonnie as a result of his family’s pioneering vineyard development in Elkton. Tyler, returning to Elkton after working across the country, began helping his mother Bonnie with Bradley Vineyards. Shortly after, Tyler began working at River’s Edge as Assistant Winemaker in 2014, and became head Winemaker in July of 2017.