The Native Americans who first settled this region lived along the shores of Clear Lake, leaving High Valley largely untouched. There they reaped the abundant food supplies of this lake area and, only occasionally, would they scale these high peaks to hunt wild game in the mountain wilderness, or travel long distances to trade with other lake tribes from the valleys to the north.

The first European settlers arrived in the Clear Lake area in the 1850s. Around 1875, the Ogulin family arrived from Slovenia and were among the first to farm these ridges. They bought a 400 acre plot, part of which is now included in our current vineyards. Along with their dreams and few belongings, the Ogulins brought grapevine cuttings, including Muscat and Zinfandel which they planted on the property. Fifteen of those original vines still exist. From vines dating back more than 100 years, we've grafted the budwood to start new plants in honor of the original pioneers who discovered this land.

Harold Ogulin is the third generation on the ridge and the keeper of the family history. The original Ogulin home included a wine cellar and crushing area, which was later converted into a full time winery. Harold's father was born here and later moved into a larger three bedroom home, where Harold was born. Over time, the Ogulins established two wineries with adjoining vineyards. The old homesteads still stand and Harold has lovingly preserved some of the old winery tools including a seven-foot tall hand hewn wine press, a hydrometer and a mechanical crusher.