The Young Family

The Young family immigrated from Alsace-Lorraine, France, to New York in 1830. In 1851, brothers Michael, George, and Peter traveled to California, eventually settling in Alexander Valley in 1858, where they raised cattle and grew wheat. Peter later purchased the McPherson Ranch and planted the first prunes. After Peter’s death in 1885, the ranch was divided among his three sons. In 1937, during the Great Depression, Robert Young, Peter’s grandson, saved the family farm from foreclosure with help from a great-uncle. In 1963, Robert transitioned from prunes to grapes, planting the first Cabernet in Alexander Valley. Robert Young was also one of the first to plant French Dijon Chardonnay clones in Alexander Valley. After many years working with many different clones, he decided to create a hybrid clone, now known as Robert Young Clone 17. In 1997, Robert’s children founded Robert Young Estate Winery, which is now run by the fifth and sixth generations, with three great-grandchildren (generation 7) involved. Today, the Young family is one of the oldest farming families in Alexander Valley.