Keith Saarloos shares the evolution of his family’s journey from apple farmers to respected winemakers, a story marked by humor and perseverance. The heart of their tale unfolds each harvest, capturing their resilience and passion.
In 1999, Larry and Linda Saarloos purchased an apple orchard in Ballard Canyon, hoping to supply a local market. Their dreams hit a harsh reality when the entire apple crop was rejected. Keith reflects, “It was like one of those moments where you cry and throw up. Welcome to farming, idiot.”
Despite the setback, Linda’s vision turned their fortunes. “You can only eat so many apple pies… why not plant grapes?” she suggested. Her belief reignited Larry’s determination, leading them to replace the apple orchard with a vineyard. Keith recalls their early days of viticulture as a steep learning curve, noting, “No rational person plants a vineyard. You have to be audacious and tenacious.”
Keith and his wife, Heather, initially split time between Long Beach and Los Olivos. Heather’s pregnancy made their move to Los Olivos imminent. Keith’s excitement about raising their children in the Valley was clear: “The best decision I’ve ever made was asking my wife to marry me. The second best decision was to raise my kids in this Valley.” Heather’s encouragement also pushed him to start winemaking. “Heather believed in it when I had doubts,” he says.
Their entry into winemaking was unconventional, with unique touches like chairs in the tasting room and personal photos on labels. Keith describes their approach: “We started with a skate shop vibe that sold wine. It resonated and built our reputation for quality and a distinct experience.”
Larry Saarloos’s passing in 2020, due to an agricultural accident, was a significant loss. Keith fondly remembers his father, a passionate farmer who spent his final moments doing what he loved. “It was fitting he passed while doing what he loved,” Keith says. “He was always out in the fields, picking grapes at dawn.”
Today, the Saarloos family remains deeply involved in every aspect of their vineyard and winery. Harvest is a family tradition, filled with teamwork and celebration. “Farming and harvest is like being pregnant. You know the baby’s coming soon, but you’re not sure when,” Keith explains. The process is a mix of anticipation and constant checks to ensure the grapes reach their peak.
The harvest begins with a blessing from Keith’s eldest child, Brielle, followed by a hands-on effort from the entire family. “My wife, mother, daughter, son, and ranch hands Pedro and Alfonso—we’re all involved,” Keith shares. “Even in the cold and chaos, there’s laughter and camaraderie. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
After harvesting, the grapes are swiftly processed into wine. Keith marvels at the transformation: “Seeing the grapes turn into wine is incredible. All the hard work and sleepless nights culminate in this moment. When someone enjoys our wine, it makes everything worthwhile.”
Saarloos and Sons remains committed to its roots. “From our ground to your glass,” Keith asserts, “we do it all ourselves—growing, making, and even designing the labels. It’s a labor of love that makes our wine special.” For the Saarloos family, harvest is more than a season; it’s a celebration of family, resilience, and the art of winemaking.
Typical Day of Harvest Schedule
- 3am: wake up, take a shower, cry
- 4am: put on uniform
- 4:15am: warm up equipment
- 4:16am: fix what’s broke
- 4:20am: move equipment into place
- 4:25am: talk smack
- 4:30am: get smack talked on
- 4:35am: laugh
- 4:40am: reminisce past harvests
- 4:45am: “Let’s Go!”... pick like a madman
- 6am: have a minor panic attack
- 6:05am: rethink every decision I’ve ever made in my life
- 6:07am: watch sunrise and realize every decision was correct
- 6:10am: more laughing and smack talk
- 6:11am: feel sunrise on face while tractor murmurs
- 6:12am: get choked up from happiness
- Pick until finished, overload the flatbed
- Deliver grapes to winery, unload
- Go back for more, overload again
- Crush grapes
- Talk smack
- Laugh
- Eat
- 5pm: clean for tomorrow
- 6pm: reset the vineyard
- 7pm: look at emails in truck
- 8pm: kiss wife
- Rinse. Repeat.