On this episode of Small Towns Unscripted, Nicole and I sit down with Mark and Tami Garvin and their daughter, Lexi Garvin-Sargent, the family behind Tipsy Canyon Winery in Manson. This episode also has a special personal connection for me. Lexi is married to Ryan Sargent, the son of one of my very good friends, “Everyone’s Bud” Bill Sargent. I've known the Sargent family for years, so getting to sit down with Lexi, Mark, and Tami and share their family's story makes this episode especially meaningful to me. Their story didn't start with wine. Both Mark and Tami spent more than three decades working at Boeing before realizing their longtime dream of retiring to the Lake Chelan Valley. Their connection to the area goes back decades, beginning with family trips to Banks Lake and eventually a place at Sun Cove, where Lexi spent part of her childhood. Lexi went on to graduate from Washington State University, studying hospitality and business management, and then worked for several large hotels in Seattle. Eventually, the pull of North Central Washington brought her back. She continued her education through an 18-month winemaking program and internships with two wineries in Napa Valley, gaining hands-on experience that would become an important part of the family's future. When the family made the decision to purchase land in Manson and create what would become Tipsy Canyon Winery, that dream became a true family undertaking. Today, Lexi serves as President of the company and works alongside her dad, Mark, in the winemaking operation. Together with Tami, the three of them have poured their heart, sweat, time, and money into building this business from the ground up. And their story is especially important to us this year. Businesses throughout the Lake Chelan Valley have endured an incredibly difficult summer, with wildfire and smoke dramatically impacting tourism during the months when many local businesses make a significant portion of their income for the entire year. For Tipsy Canyon, the impact went even further. Smoke damaged their 2.5-acre vineyard crop, forcing the family to purchase juice from outside the valley—an unexpected but necessary expense so they could continue making wine locally and taking care of their daily customers and wine club members. But when you spend time with Mark, Tami, and Lexi, what stands out isn't the adversity. It's their commitment to their family, their staff, their customers, and the experience they've created. Tipsy Canyon sits in a beautiful setting above Roses Lake, only about ten minutes from downtown Manson. It may not be on the main drag, but that's part of what makes it such a great place to spend an afternoon. Grab some food in town or pack a picnic and bring it with you. Bring the dog. Watch a WSU or Seahawks game. Meet up with friends, have a family gathering or company lunch, or simply find a spot to relax and enjoy the setting. They offer wine, beer, and several non-alcoholic options, and their wine club may be one of the more flexible and customizable clubs you'll find in the valley. One thing Mark, Tami, and Lexi made very clear during our conversation is that their staff is one of their greatest assets. They've worked hard to create a place where everyone feels welcome, whether you're a longtime wine club member, a local stopping by after work, or visiting Manson for the first time. And that's really what Small Towns Unscripted is about. We want to tell the stories of the entrepreneurs, families, employees, and small businesses that make our communities what they are. After the summer we've experienced in the Lake Chelan Valley, we also want to do our part to remind people just how important it is to get out and support these locally owned businesses. So take a few minutes and get to know the family behind the wine, hear how Tipsy Canyon came to be, and learn why Mark, Tami, and Lexi continue to believe in what they're building right here in Manson. This is Small Towns Unscripted with Mark and Tami Garvin and Lexi Garvin-Sargent of Tipsy Canyon Winery. TipsyCanyon.com
