A New Type of Harvest: From Legacy Orchards to Vineyard Views
Introduction: An Autumn Tapestry in the Heart of Apple Country
The air in Okanogan County shifts in autumn. It arrives on crisp mornings that carry the sweet, unmistakable perfume of ripe apples, a scent that settles over the land like a comforting blanket. This is the season when the landscape, nestled in the foothills of Washington’s North Cascade Range, transforms into a masterpiece of color. The leaves on the trees burst into a vibrant tapestry of amber and gold, sprinkling the ground with what one local photographer calls "colored confetti". A soft, golden light casts long shadows across the rolling hills and meticulously engineered orchards that stretch for miles, their branches heavy with the year’s bounty.
At the heart of this seasonal transformation lies Brewster, Washington. More than just a small town, Brewster is a vital nerve center for an agricultural powerhouse. Washington State produces an astonishing sixty percent of all apples grown in the United States, and it is here, along the fertile banks of the Columbia River, that the rhythm of life is dictated by the harvest. For generations, this land has been cultivated by agricultural giants, families whose names are synonymous with the fruit that feeds the world. The Gamble and Gebbers families are rightfully at the top of the list. Yet, a new kind of harvest is taking root here—one not measured in bins and boxes, but in moments of connection, hospitality, and experience. This is a story of evolution, a journey from the industrial scale of legacy farms to the intimate, curated world of agritourism, a shift perfectly embodied by the vision and passion of one local family.
To understand the profound shift occurring in Brewster, one must first appreciate the sheer scale and deep history of the industry that has defined it for more than a century. The story of this region is written on the land itself, in the endless rows of fruit trees tended by families who have weathered economic depressions, devastating freezes, and the volatile tides of global trade.
Part I: The Cultivators - The Divis Family's Journey from Orchard to Vineyard
Within this landscape dominated by agricultural giants and defined by the rhythms of the harvest, a more personal story of transformation has been unfolding. It is the story of Jim and Dana Divis, a family whose deep roots in the region’s fruit industry have given rise to a new and innovative vision for its future.
Jim and Dana are not newcomers to the demanding world of Washington agriculture. For years, their lives revolved around raising their four children and cultivating a thriving fruit orchard. They began their farming journey in 1984 with a modest 12 acres. Through decades of hard work and dedication, they grew that initial plot into a sprawling 200-acre estate, recognized as one of the finest in Washington State, producing a delightful variety of apples, sweet cherries, and pears.
Their success is built on a foundation of industry expertise. Jim Divis is a respected figure in the Brewster apple community, serving as the General Manager of Honeybear Growers, a local warehouse that focuses on premium Honeycrisp apples. His credentials are unimpeachable: a Bachelor of Science degree in Horticulture from Washington State University and a career that saw him play a significant role in the formation of once major industry players like Chelan Fruit and Chelan Fresh Marketing. This is not the background of a hobbyist, but that of a seasoned professional who has spent a lifetime cultivating the art and science of growing fruit.
This deep, proven connection to the land is the most valuable asset behind their newest venture. In a world where the term "authenticity" is often used as a mere marketing buzzword, the Divis family’s story provides a powerful and verifiable foundation of credibility. Their decades of success in the high-stakes, capital-intensive world of commercial fruit farming are not just a part of their backstory; this history is the very root of their brand. Their success in cultivating 200 acres of pristine orchards directly informs their ability to cultivate a vineyard and create a genuine farm-to-table experience. Their understanding of the local terroir, the climate, and the unique challenges of the region is not theoretical—it has been earned through more than three decades of harvests. This foundation of genuine agricultural understanding is what differentiates their hospitality brand, transforming it from a simple getaway into an authentic immersion in the life of the land.
The Pivot to a New Passion
The idea for Lone Point Cellars, the Divis family's ambitious agritourism destination, was born not in a boardroom, but during a family vacation in Hawaii. It began as a desire to "try their hand at something new," a "newest passion" that grew organically from their life of cultivating fruit. However, this pivot was far from a simple whim. It represented a strategic and thoughtful evolution of their life's work. For Jim, the prospect of building a winery and planting a vineyard was a "new challenge that reinvigorated and elevated my passion for farming". It was a way to take their deep connection to the land and share it with people in a more direct, personal, and profound way.
This transition from being solely a fruit producer to creators of a premium hospitality experience reflects an understanding of the modern agricultural landscape. The life of a farmer, even a successful one, is fraught with uncertainty. In recent years, Washington growers have faced a multitude of challenges completely outside of their control: a severe heat dome that scorched apples on the trees, an abrupt winter freeze that shocked the orchards, and seasons of oversupply that caused prices to plummet. Add to this the volatility of global markets, and the immense capital investment required—often exceeding $50,000 per acre to establish a new orchard—and the high-risk nature of the business becomes clear.
As an industry veteran, Jim would have been intimately aware of these pressures. His decision to create what he called the "complete package—tasting room, restaurant, rental cottages, venue and vineyard" was a calculated business strategy designed to build a more resilient and sustainable future. By creating a vertically integrated destination, the Divis family has shifted their business model. They are no longer solely a commodity producer, selling apples by the bin to packing houses and competing on a global scale. They have become a premium service provider, capturing a significantly higher value for their products and labor. They now sell not just fruit, but award-winning wine by the glass, chef-prepared meals, romantic getaways, and unforgettable wedding experiences. This model insulates them from the market volatility that affects their peers by forging a direct, powerful, and lasting relationship with the end consumer. It is the ultimate expression of farming: cultivating not just crops, but community and connection.
Part II: The Fruit of the Vine - The Lone Point Cellars Experience
The result of the Divis family’s vision is Lone Point Cellars, a destination that seamlessly blends the rustic authenticity of its agricultural roots with the refined comforts of a modern resort. It is a place designed to be a complete, immersive experience, where every detail, from the wine in the glass to the view from the patio, tells the story of the land.
The Setting - A View from the Point
The estate’s location is nothing short of spectacular. Perched on a 1,200-foot-high ridge—a "point" of land—it offers what guests describe as a "jaw-dropping panoramic setting" with "incredible" and "phenomenal" views. From this vantage point, the property overlooks the majestic confluence of the Columbia and Okanogan Rivers, with a vista that seems to go on for miles across a patchwork of vineyards and orchards stretching to the valley floor. The entire 200-acre estate, with its orchards, vineyards, and berry gardens, creates a complete agricultural landscape that invites guests to not just observe, but to feel a part of the working farm.
The Wine - Handcrafted and Approachable
At the heart of the experience is the wine. Lone Point Cellars produces handcrafted, award-winning wines that have quickly garnered significant acclaim. Their commitment to quality is evident in their accolades, most notably the 2021 Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, which was named Best Cabernet Sauvignon and awarded a Double Gold medal at the prestigious Cascadia International Wine Competition. This rare honor signifies that the wine received a unanimous gold medal rating from every single judge on the panel—a testament to its exceptional quality. Despite this high level of craftsmanship, the Divis family’s mission is to make wine "approachable for everyone". By fostering a welcoming, down-to-earth atmosphere, they have created a brand that is both sophisticated and unpretentious, inviting both connoisseurs and novices to savor the fruits of their vineyard.
The Table - A Taste of the Estate
The culinary program at Lone Point Cellars is a direct extension of their agricultural roots. The Tasting Room offers a "vineyard-to-table" menu where the food is designed to pair perfectly with their wines. Dana Divis, a chef with a background in catering and weddings, guides the culinary vision, which includes everything from casual lunches to special, multi-course Chef's Dinners available by reservation. The menu is made tangible and enticing with guest favorites like the "Oasis Pizza," a creative combination of bacon, sweet fig, savory blue cheese, and a balsamic reduction. The connection to the estate is reinforced through the use of their own farm-grown ingredients, such as the estate honey and vineyard-grown berries featured on the meat and cheese board, a delicious and authentic taste of the property's bounty.
The Stay - A Harvest of Hospitality
The final, and perhaps most immersive, element of the Lone Point Cellars experience is the opportunity to stay on the estate. The lodging options are a fulfillment of the Divis's strategic vision to create a self-sufficient, multi-day destination that appeals to a diverse range of discerning travelers.
The Cottages - A Private Vineyard Retreat
For those seeking a luxurious and intimate escape, the estate offers six modern, private cottages. Each 480-square-foot cottage is thoughtfully designed to sleep up to four guests, featuring a serene king suite with blackout blinds and a comfortable premium sofa sleeper in the living area. The amenities are designed to create a true home-away-from-home experience, including a cozy gas fireplace, a big-screen TV, and a well-equipped kitchenette complete with an induction stovetop, microwave, and dishwasher. The spa-like bathroom features a walk-in glass shower, adding another touch of luxury. Yet, the undeniable crown jewel of each cottage is the spacious private deck. It is from here that guests can enjoy what is consistently praised in reviews as the star of the show: a spectacular, 180-degree view of the Columbia Valley, a vista that stretches for a gorgeous 10 miles.
The Park at Lone Point Cellars - Upscale RV Camping
The newest evolution of their hospitality offering is The Park at Lone Point Cellars, a newly opened, upscale RV resort that redefines the concept of winery camping. Nestled within a working cherry orchard and vineyard, The Park features 20 spacious, pet-friendly RV sites spread across five pristine acres. The sites are designed to accommodate all types of rigs, with eight large 105-foot pull-through sites for big rigs and twelve 65-foot back-in sites, all equipped with full 20/30/50-amp electrical, water, and waste connections. What truly elevates this beyond a standard campground is the suite of premium amenities. Guests have access to a pickleball court, a putting green, a children's play area, and two shaded pavilions with gas barbecues for communal gatherings. In a thoughtful nod to the region's recreational appeal, there is even a community freezer for visiting fishing enthusiasts to store their catch.
The deliberate and concurrent development of both modern cottages and an upscale RV park is the thoughtful execution of the Divis family's "complete package" strategy. This diversification of lodging brilliantly captures two distinct but complementary segments of the modern travel market. The cottages appeal to those seeking a traditional luxury getaway, while The Park targets the growing and often affluent community of RV travelers who seek unique destinations with premium amenities. By offering both, Lone Point Cellars transforms itself from a place you might stop for an hour into a comprehensive resort where you can stay for a weekend. This strategy maximizes the potential guest audience, encourages longer stays, and fosters deeper engagement with all the estate has to offer, fully realizing the vision of a premier agritourism destination.
Conclusion: A Harvest of Hospitality
The story of the Brewster harvest is one of constant, quiet evolution. It is a narrative that begins with the rugged determination of pioneers like Dan Gamble and continues through the industrial might and global reach of families like the Gebbers, who built an agricultural empire from the fertile soil of the Columbia River basin. Today, that story is entering a new and exciting chapter, one being written by innovators like Jim and Dana Divis.
Lone Point Cellars is not a departure from this rich tradition, but rather its most refined expression. It is a place where the deep agricultural roots of the region have blossomed into a new and profound form of hospitality. The Divis family’s journey—from cultivators of the orchard to creators of an all-encompassing destination—demonstrates a powerful truth about the future of the American farm. It is a future where success is measured not only in the quantity of the yield, but in the quality of the experience.
To visit Brewster in the fall is to witness this legacy firsthand. It is to see the culmination of a year’s hard work in the bustling orchards and to feel the palpable energy of the harvest. And at Lone Point Cellars, it is to discover a place where you are invited not just to taste the fruits of the land, but to stay for a while and live among them, all while gazing out at one of the most breathtaking views in Washington State.