View of South Hill Winery and Vineyards on Underwood Mountain, looking east towards Hood River in 2023

History & Winegrowing on Washington’s Underwood Mountain

Underwood Mountain, across the Columbia from Hood River, has been used for logging, growing apples and pears, and most recently wine grape growing. This article takes a look at the progression of Underwood Mountain from remote wilderness to the acclaimed winegrowing region that it is today (and home to several popular wineries, including South Hill Vineyards.)


Where is Underwood Mountain, and what created it?

Underwood is an unincorporated community in Skamania County, Washington, nestled on the side of Underwood Mountain, which rises to 2,755 feet. The area benefits from excellent soil and climate conditions, supporting premium vineyards and thriving organic farms.

Geologically, Underwood Mountain is an early Pleistocene shield volcano that erupted between 20,000 and 850,000 years ago, covering east-dipping Grande Ronde Basalt. The mountain’s basalt comprises numerous blocky, jointed flows, each about 10 to 30 feet thick, reaching a total thickness of at least 590 feet. These lavas once crossed and probably briefly dammed the Columbia River, with remnants of the flows found on the Oregon side.

Read More about the Geology in the book Underwood Through The Years (PDF)

Where does the name Underwood come from?
The name Underwood comes from early settler Amos Underwood and his brother Ed. Amos acquired land near the mouth of the White Salmon River using his personal military land bounty for a free homestead on railroad land claims along the north shore. He also bought a settler’s homestead, so that his land totaled 320 acres. In 1861 Amos operated a ferry from his homestead to Hood River. He owned two freight scows, a saloon and 10 gold mines near Mt. Adams. Ed Underwood, younger brother of Amos, came to the area in 1865 and filed for a homestead on the bluff above the Co­lumbia River.

Given the geology and steep terrain of the mountain, historically what was the land used for economically?
“Logging was the first widespread industry, and this cleared the land. Then Apple growing, same as in White Salmon and Hood River until the freeze of 1918-19. Pears were replanted as they are more cold-resistant. Underwood had the advantage of not requiring irrigation due to its deep soils and its moisture retention. That was great for many years but eventually over the past 30 years, irrigated orchards proved to be more reliable and economically more profitable. In general, wells are not viable on Underwood as most of the deep ground water is locked up in volcanic lava tubs. Other than a few springs most of the water is now obtained by the PUD, pumped back up the mountain from where springs pop out near the river.” – Phil Jones, Owner South Hill Vineyards

When clearing the land for South Hill Vineyard, owner Phil Jones came across the remnants of a previous homestead. What did you find and what does it tell you about the people who lived on this land before you?
“The lower 1/2 of our home acreage with the winery was in pear orchard from the 1920s through the 1960s. The orchard was abandoned at that point, most likely to old age and reducing yields. It was not replanted.  The foundation at the drive entry of South Hill Vineyards was either an old house or shed. On the forestry block above our property there were foundations of an old homestead owned by the Collins family. They planted an apple orchard up there when it was homesteaded about 1918. The daughter purchased the current winery 80 acres in the 1920s. They raised a family but in the early 1930s lost the upper property and it was bought by a lumber company for forestry. The daughter sold our 80 acres, and it was planted partially to pears. A lot of upper Underwood was cleared and planted to orchards but most of the higher elevations and most of the east side of the mountain proved unsuitable for fruit as it was that much colder.” – Phil Jones, Owner South Hill Vineyards

The primary economic/agricultural industry on the mountain is now grape growing. What makes the mountain so ideal for growing grapes?
“Wine grapes are more drought resistant than pears (the previous favored crop un Underwood), but one or two irrigations in dry summers can be beneficial. South Hill Vineyards gets our water from the PUD so it is expensive and only 1-2 irrigations are feasible. The south facing slopes provide perfect sunshine for growth. The winds prevent many grape diseases from causing problems, requiring less sprays. We do not have insect problems either. Our biggest problem are Gophers which thrive in these conditions and will even kill or severely damage mature vines. We bait every year and have them under pretty good control.” – Phil Jones, Owner South Hill Vineyards

Harriet and George Collins, early settlers of Underwood Mountain


Underwood Newspaper Articles From The Past