From roots to roots.
Where there’s a will, there’s a way.
Identity
Inguz Row sits at over 900 feet atop Chehalem Mountain under the watchful presence of powerful mountains of the pacific northwest – Hood, Adams, Rainier and St. Helens. Here, high elevation vines are uniquely influenced by Columbia River Gorge summer warm winds and Pacific Coast spring & fall cool winds.
It is here where ancient Laurelwood soil nourishes roots. It is here where souls are rejuvenated. It is here where visions become passions. It is here. It is home.
Inguz Row nurtures 4 ½ acres of 2012 planted Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Gewurtztraminer grapes in the Laurelwood District AVA within Oregon’s Willamette Valley.
Impact
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We are growing grapes that thrive in this special location, that are thoughtfully cared for, that showcase the unique structure of Oregon soil and this subtle microclimate.
Inguz Row partners with our Chehalem neighbor, Ruby Vineyard & Winery, to provide bespoke grapes for boutique wines.
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We recognize that spending time in nature promotes health. Good for bodies. Good for minds. Good for well-being. We aim to share this critical connection with others using teachable moments and experiences.
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We love the aesthetics of landscape design that highlight nature’s beauty. Growing nutrient rich food and beautiful flowers in a manner that protects and enriches human health and the environment is our intent.
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As Inguz Row grows – we’re adding to our artistically arranged lavender field by planting groves of olive & fruit trees, and gardens of unique vegetables, berries, and flowers to complement our beautiful grapes nurtured in Laurelwood soil.
We envision a day where these gifts of the earth give to others ~ through experience, through sustenance, through health, through joy.
Intent
“Inguz” grew out of a three decades long journey - yet was sparked by a decision to act on a dream. Returning to our PNW roots was a choice. Physical, emotional, spiritual, relational and mental attributes were called upon to pull up long happy Midwestern roots and move back to our first roots.
For it had always been there – a calling and longing for the beauty of the Cascades, the familiarity of winding roads along rich Willamette Valley terrain, the majestic presence of Mt. Hood, generational family connections, and yes – the smell of that liquid sunshine that nurtures this special piece of earth.
And then, a little virus that would grow to change our world, gave us a gift. A piece of property high on Chehalem Mountain in the Willamette Valley of Oregon with 4 ½ acres of established grapes, a four-mountain vista, a place for family to gather, a barn to welcome future aspirations, and land to grow dreams, became home.
Individuals
Roots to roots. PNW born, raised and returned. Mark and Charla Cain spent three decades working in medical and health fields in the northeast, mid-atlantic and mid-west US. They returned and purchased what has become Inguz Row in 2020.
This is where they gather, nurture people, celebrate nature, grow fine grapes and are planning and planting diverse specialty agricultural crops.
They are thrilled that Inguz Row is the mouse-trap that calls grown children and families home for extended weeks from busy lives across the globe.
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A career caring for children, a love of the outdoors – Mark has witnessed the emergence of Willamette Valley wines around his boyhood home of Sherwood, OR. He appreciates the unique nuances of this region and how they translate into amazing wines. Happy to have realized his forever dream of owning and running a vineyard he plans to put his adult children and their talented skillsets to work in the future.
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Public health and project management backgrounds translate into Charla’s love of google spreadsheets and project tracking tools. Commitment to people and health through nature and responsible environmental practices, gatherer of people for good, and supporter / believer of ideas that change the world one person at a time, one small farm at a time.
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start-up marketer & chicken farmer, entrepreneur & landscape visionary, lover of work shirts like his dad and tractors
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private markets investor & celebration planner, go to-market expert & chef when in residence
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supply chain aficionado & bread baker, digital marketing consultant & British etiquette expert
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Inguz started with Mark’s cancer diagnosis over a decade ago when his children somehow discovered the Inguz rune symbol and its meaning of “where there’s a will – there’s a way.”
This became a family mantra at that time. Unbeknownst to said parents, they tattooed this symbol on various ankles and arms out of vision as a way to remind them of their father’s strength, faith, and resolve.
Inguz became a family motto.
It also became a dream.
The word, Inguz, has many meanings. A new phase of life. A new path. A new beginning. It marries an agricultural dream of owning a vineyard with developing areas of productive landscape all in a place where nature influences health.
“Inguz” is a nod to Charla’s Nordic roots and strength of Viking character, and “Row” is tribute to Mark’s love of home and ancestral row houses in England and agricultural rows of Ireland.
In totality, Inguz has been a seed planted many years ago that was nurtured by thought and experience, sacrifice and risk, blessings and opportunities, and is now emerging as our new path.
Inguz Row High Elevation Grapes in Ruby Wines
2021 Lily of the Valley
A beautiful Alsatian style blend of 2/3 Pinot Gris and 1/3 Gewurztraminer.
This wine presents with notes of honeysuckle, orange blossom, lime blossom and caramelized pear on the nose. It starts crisp leading to a nice weightiness on the midpalate and is redolent with lingering flavors of cara cara orange, Meyer lemon and poached pear.
This dry white wine is very food friendly and is sure to refresh on the warmer days of Summer to come.
2021 Pinot Gris
This wine yields beautiful fruit flavors and bright acidity.
Layers of citrus and apple blossoms erupt from the glass while a mouthwatering palate of lime, Braeburn apple and aged honey ensure the need for sip after sip.
