Our Heritage

Rooted in Washington. Always Growing.

For four generations, the Monson family has cared for the land with a simple belief: if you invest in it, respect it, and never stop learning from it, it will continue to provide extraordinary opportunities.

What began with cattle ranching in Eastern Washington has grown into a diversified agricultural enterprise spanning estate vineyards, orchards, wineries, tasting rooms, cider, and handcrafted spirits. Through every chapter, one thing has remained constant: a commitment to stewardship, hard work, and leaving the land better than we found it.

A Dream of a Family Farm

In the late 1930s, M.L. “Monsy” Monson left North Dakota for Washington with little more than determination and a dream of building a family farming business. He built a successful cattle operation and laid the foundation for a legacy that continues today.

By the early 1970s, his son Arvid and his wife Suzanne expanded the family business by opening their own cattle feed yard, carrying forward the same work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit that defined the first generation.

Growing Beyond Cattle

In 1979, the Monson family’s curiosity led them in a new direction. Bill, Valerie, and Molly planted the family’s first apple orchard, expanding beyond cattle and beginning a new chapter rooted in perennial crops and long-term stewardship.

What began with Red Chief apples soon grew to include additional apple varieties and cherry orchards. More importantly, it reflected a philosophy that still guides the family today: always learning, always improving, and always looking for thoughtful ways to grow.

Every new venture has been inspired by the same question: How can we make the most of what this remarkable land has to offer?

Eyes Focused on the Future

The Monson family has never stood still.

In 1998, Bill Monson saw another opportunity. Not because it was easy, but because he believed Washington could produce world-class wine. Together, Bill and Arvid planted more than 2,000 acres of estate vineyards, transforming Goose Ridge from a farming operation into one of Washington’s premier estate wineries.

That leap into wine wasn’t a departure from the family’s roots. It was a natural extension of generations spent understanding the land and believing in its potential.

Stewardship That Endures

Every generation has found a new way to honor the land.

Today, the Monson family combines generations of farming knowledge with modern vineyard and orchard practices to preserve healthy soils, produce exceptional fruit, and leave the land better than they found it. Their commitment to stewardship continues to guide every decision, from the vineyard to the winery and beyond.

We're Still Growing

Today, Goose Ridge is more than a winery.

It’s the continuing story of a family that believes the best way to honor the land is to keep discovering what it can become.

From estate-grown wines to Washington cider, handcrafted spirits, memorable hospitality, and the next generation of Monson family leadership, we’re still doing what we’ve always done: growing, learning, and sharing the best of Washington.