Our story begins at homecoming and happenstance.
James (Jim) Allen and his two siblings grew up in Oregon. He attended Gresham High school and went on to graduate with honors from Lewis and Clark College and Lewis and Clark Law School. After marrying his classmate (and love of his life), Lynn Schuman Allen, they maintained a law practice and several successful businesses in Portland and then on the east coast. Eventually the couple settled down
in southern Florida where they have lived happily for the past two decades. They are proud parents to four children and have five darling grandchildren.
One could say the spark to rekindle roots in the Pacific Northwest began when Jim's eldest son Phillip ventured out west to start a family of his own. Having always dreamt of owning a piece of land near Portland he began a casual search for possibilities.
A year or so later a beautiful farm in Banks, Oregon, appeared on the radar. It was during a visit with Jim's niece and Phil's cousin Elaina that they first toured the property. The group was on their way to the beach in Seaside for a family getaway when cousin Amber received a call from the listing agent inviting them for a tour. Conveniently located off Highway 26, it was an easy detour up a long gravel road. Moments later they found themselves sipping wine and exploring a truly magnificent property.
Quite simply, it was love at first sight. Phil and his wife Sandy adored the house, Jim adored the farmland, and Elaina adored the grapevines. As luck would have it the stars aligned, partnerships formed, and the family collaborated to purchase the 35-acres that encompasses Covey Ridge Farm.
Elaina Spring Eden has an unquenchable thirst for Oregon Pinot and personal growth. She and her brother grew up in the Beaverton area. Elaina earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from the Evergreen State College and a Business Certificate in Event Management from the University of Oregon. She has also attained a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation.
After serving five years as the corporate Event Planner for the law firm Miller Nash LLP, Elaina relocated to Vancouver, BC, to pursue a dream job. As a dual citizen of Canada and the United States she dedicated four years of service to the organizing efforts of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
Elaina married her husband Darrin while living in Vancouver. The couple had two children together in Canada before relocating back to Oregon. After a few precious years as a stay-at-home mom she found herself at an unexpected curve in her career. She was thrilled with the opportunity to help establish a wine business, manage a vineyard, and embark on a new journey to learn winemaking.
Alongside her family, Elaina maintains an unwavering commitment to producing high-quality wines through sustainable farming. All her wines designated LIVE certified sustainable and she recently became the first Craft Certified producer in the state of Oregon. Elaina has travelled throughout Canada and the US to share her passion for small production wines. In 2017, she was invited to pour at the prestigious James Beard House in New York City alongside an esteemed group of internationally recognized chefs. In the spring of 2022, she was accepted and participated in the hands-on intensive Wine Executive Program hosted by the graduate school of enology and viticulture at UC Davis in California. In addition to previously running their two urban tasting rooms and gathering spaces in SW Portland's Johns Landing neighborhood and the Pearl (both now closed), Elaina has developed a series of full sensory wine tasting workshops and experiences.
Overall, this project honors the fond memories of loved ones as well as provides friends and family the opportunity to celebrate life's precious moments; those of yesterday, today and tomorrow.