Steve Holden’s path to becoming a grape farmer did not follow a traditional route. Growing up, he spent weekends at his grandmother’s farm, helping his uncle with harvests. However, as a young man, Steve chose a different direction and enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He served four years as an ordnance-man aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt.
After leaving the Navy, Steve explored several career paths in Virginia before returning to Michigan. Eventually, he joined his uncle Bill on the family farm. Together, they expanded operations by building two large hop trellises and a processing facility.
In 2014, tragedy struck when Uncle Bill passed away suddenly during grape harvest. Despite his grief, Steve remained committed to the farm and ensured the crops were harvested and delivered. However, the morning after harvest concluded, Steve arrived to find the property locked. At that moment, he was unexpectedly unemployed.
Soon after, the family auctioned off Uncle Bill’s possessions and farm assets. This sale included half of the new hop commodity and the processing plant Steve had helped build. With no land of his own and only a pickup truck and a Wolf hop harvester, Steve found himself starting over.
In 2016, Steve took a bold step forward. He financed his grandmother’s farm, which had not carried a lien since 1932, to buy out his mother and two uncles. At the same time, he purchased worn equipment and fully dedicated himself to continuing his family’s agricultural legacy.
By 2021, Steve and his wife, Lauryn, reached a major milestone. Together, they purchased Uncle Bill’s homestead along with a portion of his vineyard. Today, through hard work and perseverance, Steve farms more than 500 acres of row crops, 200 acres of Concord and Niagara grapes, and 16 acres of wine grapes. These include Foch, Cayuga, and La Crescent. As a result, Steve has expanded his acreage beyond that of his relatives and established himself as a leading grape grower in the region.
Despite this growth, Steve and Lauryn remain focused on building a sustainable operation. Their long-term goal centers on creating opportunity for their sons, Colton and Barrett. In addition, they aim to teach their children practical life skills that will serve them in any future career.
This commitment also extends to maintaining a strong, long-term partnership with St. Julian Winery & Distillery.
“The small but mighty team at St. Julian strives for excellence from grower to CEO,” says Lauryn Holden. “They share a united mission to grow high-quality grapes for exceptional wine production.”
In Southwest Michigan, we proudly celebrate local vineyards and farmers. This support helps preserve agricultural heritage while strengthening the regional economy. The Holden family, alongside many local producers, plays a vital role in contributing distinctive flavors and diversity to our wines and juices.
By highlighting these efforts, we raise awareness of the importance of locally sourced ingredients. In turn, this strengthens the connection between consumers and the farmers who sustain our communities. Supporting local vineyards enriches the region and helps ensure a thriving future for generations to come.
At St. Julian, we remain committed to this tradition. For more than a century, we have supported local farms while producing high-quality wine and juice. By continuing to collaborate with our growers, we believe we can build a stronger and more sustainable future for Southwest Michigan.
