Francis Marion Corkrum and his wife Mary Jane Killebrew Corkrum, along with their three children Sarah, age 9, Jasper, age 6, and Mary Rose, age 3, cross the country via wagon train from Illinois and homestead in the Walla Walla Valley, Washington Territory.

Two of their eventual ten children die in infancy. The family builds a cabin on Spring Branch. URIAH Corkrum, the fifth of Francis Marion and Mary Jane’s children, is born on June 1, nine months after the family arrives at Spring Branch near Dixie, Walla Walla Valley, Washington Territory.

Uriah’s wife Ida May dies in November in childbirth, along with their fourth child. Heavy rains prevent Uriah from hauling his wheat from the fields, and he loses his crop and land in the year’s depression. He perseveres and in 1897 purchases the ranch at SPRING VALLEY.

KATHERINE Williams arrives in the Valley from Hay-On-Wye, Wales to visit her brother David, married to Uriah’s sister Rado Corkrum. Katherine and Uriah are married December 1, 1897, and have four sons.

FREDERICK Corkrum born in Spring Valley to Katherine and Uriah. Frederick works on the farm from an early age and becomes the “Mule Skinner.” He graduates from Walla Walla High School and Whitman College, where he plays quarterback under football coach Nig Borleske.

NINA LEE Moore, age 2, moves to Walla Walla from Illinois. She performs in vaudeville with Elva Lloyd in the early 1920s. Meets Frederick at the Liberty Theatre in Walla Walla.

Frederick and Nina Lee marry and move to the ranch in Spring Valley.

Shari Corkrum is born in Spring Valley to Frederick and Nina Lee.

Dean DERBY moves to Walla Walla and meets Shari in the 6th grade at Sharpstein Grade School. Shari and Dean graduate from Walla Walla High School and attend the University of Washington in Seattle.

Shari Corkrum and Dean Derby marry.

Dean Derby is football captain for UW. He still holds the record for longest run from scrimmage for a touchdown at Husky Stadium (92 yards against Illinois).

Dean is drafted into the NFL as the 1st pick of the 4th round by the Los Angeles Rams, then traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers for the 1st league game in September 1957. He is named All Pro Defensive Cornerback and plays 4+ years with the Steelers and 1+ years for the Minnesota Vikings.

Devin Corkrum Derby born in Spring Valley to Dean and Shari.

Dean and Shari plant wine grapes on the ranch in Spring Valley.

Devin Corkrum Derby moves back to the ranch to manage the winery at Spring Valley. As founding winemaker he oversees first crush and makes the first wine – URIAH, a Merlot-based red blend which debuts in 2001. Devin also designs the labels for Spring Valley’s wines.

First vintage of NINA LEE, a 100% Syrah, produced by Devin Derby.

First vintages of FREDERICK, a Cabernet Sauvignon-based red blend; DERBY Cabernet Sauvignon; and MULE SKINNER Merlot are produced by Devin Derby.

In response to these accolades, Devin joked, “What are we going to do when they figure out we don’t know what we are doing.”

2000 vintage of URIAH ranked #17 on Wine Spectator’s “Top 100” list.

2001 vintage of URIAH ranked #13 on Wine Spectator’s “Top 100” list.

Devin Corkrum Derby is killed in a tragic car accident.

2003 vintage of URIAH ranked #25 on Wine Spectator’s “Top 100” list.

Katherine Derby Elvin graduates from college and moves to Spring Valley to work in the Spring Valley Vineyard tasting room.

64 acres of new vineyards are planted, bringing total vineyard acreage to 109 acres of grapevines including Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec.

New tasting room opens in downtown Walla Walla.

Kate’s first son, Uriah Royal, born, adding a 7th generation to the family legacy.

Inaugural 2007 vintage of KATHERINE CORKRUM Cabernet Franc introduced.

Kate welcomes second son, Malachi Eugene, who proves to share his Great Grandfather, Dean Derby’s , talent for sports.

2006 vintage of Uriah ranked #60 on Wine Spectator’s “Top 100” list.

Inaugural 2010 vintage of SHARILEE Petit Verdot introduced.

It is only fitting to name this Petit Verdot, long known to be a grape of great vibrancy, after Sharilee Corkrum Derby.

Kate Derby joins winemaking team.

New Tasting Room opens in downtown Walla Walla, allowing Spring Valley to increase our guest experiences, hosting Farm Dinners and seated tastings.

Our beloved Dean Derby passed away, but his spirit remains rooted in every vine and vintage we share.

Kate was named Head Winemaker, introducing Mourvèdre and Grenache into the Spring Valley portfolio.

Celebrated our 30th year of having estate grown vineyards.