“Field of Dreams” — a movie that has withstood the test of time — is best known for one quote.
If you build it, they will come.
While Duck Pond Cellars Wine & Spirits isn’t located in a cornfield in Iowa, the brand is banking on its renovated tasting room in Dundee, Oregon, recent strategic acquisitions and rebranding to do just that.
“We have done extensive renovations both inside and outside of the building and Tasting Room and it is our hope that we attract more visitors to our site to meet our wonderful staff including our winemakers and distillers and learn about our portfolio of wines and spirits, crafted to preserve and uphold the beauty and legacy of Oregon through pure, natural and organic practices,” said Sandra Krut, Vice President of Marketing for the brand.
Specific tasting room features that Duck Pond changed include the Duck Pond ‘Natural Duck’ logo design mounted in three places on the building.
The design element’s purpose is to convey to Duck Pond’s customers the company’s commitment to environmental stewardship.
“It’s a striking one-of-a-kind work of art to depict natural plant, animal and tribal elements that promote sustainability and positive environmental impact which aligns with our mission,” Krut said. “If you look closely, beyond the tribal design elements, you will see lily pads, cattails, bee and grape designs. We have also built green walls along the outside of the front building which will be part of our Phase 2 renovation along with a beautiful wood pergola to pull it all together and offer an approachable and comfortable guest experience.”
The goal is to get customers to spend some time with the crew, whom Duck Pond believes serves as a boost to the brand.
“We are mostly proud of our team which includes our knowledgeable and personable Tasting Room staff, along with our winemaking team, led by Julia Cattrall and our distillery team led by Matt Cechovic, who provide the ultimate guest experience offering one-on-one education and interaction along with many exciting events throughout the year,” Krut said.
The company renamed the winery Duck Pond Cellars Wine & Spirits following a series of moves. In 2018, the company acquired Rascal wines before purchasing Ransom Wine and Spirits in 2020.
Ransom Spirits produces Oregon-made small batch bourbons, whiskey, gins and vermouths. These spirits are handcrafted at Ransom’s Willamette Valley 40-acre organic farm and distillery in Sheridan, Oregon, where many of the ingredients are grown.
Duck Pond acquired Ransom from founder Tad Seestedt. Cechovic, who worked alongside Seestedt for years, assumed the role as Master Distiller. The farm and distillery have been certified Organic since 2011 and 2021 respectively.
The tasting room will offer customers to sample the whole family of brands from Thursday-Monday from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
“All of these aspects aligned perfectly with Duck Pond Cellars’ mission and values and are a perfect compliment to the overall portfolio,” Krut said. “Offering an Oregon portfolio of sustainable, organic and natural wines and spirits including Duck Pond, Rascal, Ransom wine and Ransom Spirits really helps to set us apart from other winery and tasting room sites in the valley. Many people are unaware that we have both [wine and spirits tastings].”
(Photo: Winemaker Julia Cattrall)
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