Steve Holden’s journey to becoming a grape farmer was not a traditional one. Growing up, he spent weekends at his grandmother’s farm, where he would help his uncle with harvests. However, as a young man, Steve had other plans and enlisted in the Navy, serving as an ordinance-man on the USS Theodore Roosevelt for four years.
After his time in the Navy, Steve pursued various career paths in Virginia before eventually returning to Michigan. He went on to work with his uncle, Bill, expanding the family farm by constructing two large hop trellises and a processing facility.
In 2014, tragedy struck when Uncle Bill passed away suddenly during grape harvest. Steve was devastated but committed to ensuring the crops were harvested and delivered. The morning after harvest was fulfilled, Steve arrived to work to discover everything locked and he was immediately unemployed.
Uncle Bill’s possessions and farm were quickly auctioned off, and this included ½ of the new hop commodity and the processing plant that Steve had worked tirelessly on with his uncle. With not an acre of land and only a pick-up truck and Wolf hop harvester to his name, Steve was restarting from scratch.
In 2016, he financed his grandma’s farm – which had not had a lien since 1932 – to buy out his mom and two uncles, purchased decrepit equipment to get by, and dedicated his life to continuing the heritage his family had left behind.
In 2021, Steve and his wife Lauryn triumphantly purchased Uncle Bill’s homestead and a portion of his vineyard. This marked a significant milestone in their journey. Today, with a lot of hard work and a strong woman by his side, Steve farms over 500 acres of row crops, 200 acres of Concord and Niagara grapes, and 16 acres of wine grapes which include Foch, Cayuga, and La Crescent. Through relentless hard work and determination, Steve has expanded his acreage beyond that of his relatives, solidifying his status as a leading grape farmer in the region.
Even through all this growth over the past few years, Steve and Lauryn remain dedicated to building a sustainable operation. Their goal is to provide a successful business opportunity for their sons, Colton and Barrett. Additionally, they aim to equip their children with essential life skills that will be valuable in any career path they choose to pursue.
This dedication also extends to continuing to cultivate a mutually beneficial relationship with St. Julian for decades to come.
“The small but mighty team at St. Julian strives for the best from grower to CEO,” says Lauryn Holden. “They are united on their mission: to grow high-quality grapes for exceptional wine production.”
In Southwest Michigan, we take pride in celebrating our local vineyards and farmers, which not only helps preserve our agricultural heritage but also supports the regional economy. The Holden family, among many local producers, play an essential role in contributing unique flavors and diversity to our wines and juices.
Highlighting their efforts allows us to raise awareness of the importance of locally sourced ingredients, strengthening the bond between consumers and the farmers who nourish us. Supporting local vineyards and farmers enriches our communities and helps ensure a vibrant region for future generations.
At St. Julian, we are committed to continuing this tradition of supporting local farms and producing high-quality wine and juice—a legacy that has thrived for over a century. We believe that by collaborating with our local partners, we can forge a brighter, more sustainable future for our region.
