Alumni Relationships Get Better with Age

Vandal roots run deep for owners Ron and Mary Bitner. He worked for U of I Extension from 1976-80 and was Idaho’s first integrated pest management specialist. Ron Bitner has served on numerous agriculture boards with U of I and continues to work closely with the Food Technology Center in Caldwell. Drawing on Ron's background as a scientist, Bitner Vineyards takes a scientific and sustainable approach to its work.

Named the 2017 Idaho Winery of the Year by Wine Press Northwest magazine, Crossings Winery in Glenns Ferry was owned and managed by second-generation Vandal Doug Jones ’88 until September 2018. Jones served as editor of the Argonaut student newspaper and a senator in the Associated Students of the University of Idaho as an undergraduate. His parents, brother, sister and wife Elizabeth ’92 are all Vandals, and his son Dashiell is currently a student.

Gregg and Mary ’89, ’99 Alger are farmers, winemakers, owners and Vandal parents. Raised on southern Idaho farms, they found the ideal spot to raise their boys (one of whom, Jacob, is studying food science in U of I’s College of Agricultural and Life Sciences), farm and cultivate a vineyard and wines of distinction. Although they ventured off the farm to gain their college educations, the lure of the land and the mystique of winemaking brought them to Huston Vineyards.

Family-owned and operated Indian Creek Winery embodies the old saying “Work hard, play hard.” Bill ’61 and Mui Stowe started the winery in 1982. He was a proud Vandal who earned the Idaho Wine Commission’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Daughter Tammy Stowe-McClure ‘06 and husband Mike McClure ’05 came on board in 2015 to continue the success of this growing winery. Stowe-McClure applies her degree in fine arts to design the winery labels. McClure received his bachelor's degree in geology and believes beautiful and balanced wines all start in the vineyard.

Founded in 2007 by viticulturist and winemaker brothers Doug ‘81 and Art McIntosh, Lindsay Creek Vineyards is truly a Vandal family vineyard. The McIntoshes represent three generations of Vandal alumni: their mom is a Vandal, along with Doug, his wife Brenda ‘07 and both sons, and Art’s daughters are all U of I graduates. Many aunts, uncles, in-laws and cousins all came to U of I, including cousin Chris McIntosh ‘78, who heads up the university’s Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology.