Vista Hills Vineyard History

It is a cool December morning in 1986 with the early morning refracted sun emerging over the eastern horizon and John McClintock is, as usual, out for a brisk jog in the pristine foothills of the Catalina mountains north of Tucson, Arizona.  His trail takes him to a site where land is being cleared for a new residential development.  Work has started before sunrise as the heat of the day bakes the workers.  While there John meets David McDaniel, a young and eager employee anxious to gain knowledge from his mentor.  The objective was to plan the roads and buildings to save the native vegetation and to minimize the impact on the natural surroundings.  This brief discussion was a precursor of future meetings throughout the construction process as it was imperative to John, as David learned, to focus on the land and the irreplaceable beauty it exudes. 

Twenty years later in Dayton, Oregon John and his wife Nancy wake to see glistening morning dew on their forty-two acres of grapevines.  The first vision that strikes John and Nancy is the beautiful sunrise peeking from behind Mt. Hood as they admire the never-ending vista of their home-site.  They spend the morning monitoring the grapes, gardening, splitting dead wood into logs and enjoying the ambiance of their rural environment.   

Throughout their life and business, John and Nancy have always focused on treating people fairly, appreciating nature and giving back to society.  Working with the land, providing innovative housing and mentoring other young businessmen was always more important than maximizing profit.  That mentality permitted John to understand the potential value of real estate and the importance of its location as it applied to its ultimate use.   

In 1995, John and Nancy were looking for a personal residence in the Dundee Hills in Oregon’s Willamette Valley when they found 20 acres and an old farmhouse at the pinnacle of Hilltop Lane with a 360-degree view.  After purchasing the property, it became apparent the best use of the land was to allow the rich red soil and its nutrients to feed grapes.  A few years later, 1-1/2 acres were planted in Pinot Gris grapes and in 2000, Vista Hills had its first crush.  When the rest of the acres were planted in Pinot Noir grapes, the future of Vista Hills Vineyard label was born. 

One aspect of Vista Hills that is unique and ardently important to John and Nancy is its use as a vehicle to give back to society.  In the late 1980’s, John and Nancy set up The Clint Foundation with its sole purpose to assist college students who are working their way through college.  The schools in the program have matched The Clint Foundation’s grants 3 to 1.  The only stipulation for the students is that they must work while in college, get passing grades and make a moral commitment to help someone “in kind”.   In order to help fund this effort 10% of all Vista Hills profits go to the The Foundation each year. 

John and Nancy’s vision of respecting Mother Nature and working closely with the earth has been married with their desire to give back to society through The Clint Foundation.  After over 30 years of real estate development and 11 years as farmers, they have acquired a desirable perspective of values that will live with all future generations as the Vista Hills label germinates.  These values have not been lost on their immediate family, as John and Nancy have been joined in the business by their daughter Cristy, her husband, David McDaniel and their children, Ryan, Austin, Tyler and Courtney.  By 2009 Vista Hills Vineyard, through the purchase of additional acreage, will have the potential to produce 5000 cases of Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir wine.  Much has happened from a stroll atop Hilltop Lane in 1995 and much more is to come!