Our Number One.

The photo featured on our inaugural bottle of Pinot Noir dates back more than 100 years to the late spring of 1921. It was taken in Smith’s Ferry, Idaho, on the North Fork of the Payette River near McCall, Idaho. Mrs. Harriet Allen McKinley, (Jim's Grandmother and Elaina's Great Grandmother) and her newlywed husband, Judson Linsworth Allen, made their first home here after marrying the prior New Year’s Eve of 1920.

We saw something alluring and compelling about the image and even more so when we noticed the words “Number One” written on the back. It turns out this was Harriet's way of referencing the photograph in her letters. Presumably this particular piece of correspondence was addressed to her parents to let them know she is happily married and that they have proudly settled down in their first home. While the actual letter has not yet been found, other inscriptions on the back of similar photos read, “Our First Home. Not much to look at, but full of happiness.” On another image she writes, “Do you wonder why I love it?” She seemed very proud about the fact that she has married and had created a home for herself to start this next phase of her life. This was her a new beginning.

This overarching theme now shines through when view it with this perspective. Perhaps most heartwarming about this story is that what she’s actually living in essentially a canvas tent. Nothing but a rustic wood frame, with no running water or electricity. If you look closely you can see the canvas wall by the photos and decorative elements. She has essentially built herself a beautiful home inside a camping tent.

Jim’s father (Elaina’s grandfather) Charles (Charlie) Linsworth Allen was born in October of 1921. Thus, we're fairly certain we see a tinkle in her eye and that Charles holds a special place in this scene as well as in her correspondence to her parents.

The image on the bottle is a scan of her actual handwriting, just as it was found.

Great Grandma Harriet Allen McKinley

Harriet Allen (McKinley) is Jim Allen’s paternal grandmother and Elaina’s great grandmother. She was born in 1892 in New Mexico. Her mother was named Harriet (Hattie) Emma Bull. Her father, Charles Lincoln McKinley, was highly instrumental in developing the railroad from Wisconsin to the west coast. Although no documented evidence exists, it is firmly believed that Charles McKinley was in some way related to the President. In Harriet’s words, “They looked so much alike they could have been brothers.”

In appreciation for his dedication to the railroad, in the year 1904, Mr. McKinley and his six children were granted passage to Oregon as well as an entire boxcar for their belongings. This blessing is one of the main reasons we have discovered so many treasured heirlooms and memorabilia.

On a voice recording made in her later years, Harriet described their travels westward:

"We arrived in Portland on a Tuesday morning. I remember Dad was absoutely thrilled as the train came down on the Oregon side. That road was new. The curves were pretty sharp. Dad was so thrilled with the beauty of it all. He and I were watching it with my brother Charlie who was very nearsighted. Oh how I really wanted him to see all that pretty."

The family settled into a tiny farmhouse situated on 50-acres a few miles north of Vancouver, Washington. It was here where she spent the reminder of her childhood.

It was here she met Judson Linsworth Allen and fell in love. The couple married on New Year’s 1920. They build a home and a new life together that begin with humble beginnings in a canvas tent in Smith’s Ferry, Idaho, on the North Fork of the Payette River near McCall, Idaho. Their oldest son Charles (Charlie) Linsworth Allen was born in October of 1921. Living alongside them was Harriet's brother Fred McKinley and his lovey wife Freda. The two women were dear friends. Judson and Harriet had three more children together between 1922 and 1926. In 1923 they relocated to LaGrande, Oregon and then to Vancouver, Washington where they lived out the remainder of the their years.

In 1981, at the age of 89, Mrs. Allen was honored by the Y.W.C.A. and the Clark County Historical Museum for her service and contributions to World War I. Later that year she donated her nurse's uniform to the museum for a special exhibit displaying posters and other wartime memorabilia.

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