History of Piety Flats Winery
As business associates in the Yakima Valley agricultural industry for many years, Jim and Kris Russi reopened an historic landmark in the Wapato area. It was their dream to resurrect a business that had been a fixture in the area for as long as people had engaged in commerce in the Lower Yakima Valley. With the help and blessing of Paul and Amy McDonald, the historic Donald Fruit and Mercantile building was reopened in 2001 as a country store and picnic venue for visitors to the Yakima Valley.
After one year in business, it was obvious that there was a serious demand from customers for the local wines that the Yakima Valley was becoming known for. Jim and Kris acquired a wine and beer license and began wine tasting and the promoting of Yakima Valley wines exclusively at the Mercantile.
| When Jim first met Willow Crest’s winemaker, Dave Minick, he was being presented with an award for his 1999 Syrah at the Willow Crest Winery one Saturday in November 2001. They had come to buy their first case of Willow Crest wine for the Mercantile and ended up buying four cases! As time went on and the popularity of Dave’s wines became apparent through customer feedback, they developed a plan to further their business interests with Dave. |
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 Model of the hop kiln used on the Piety Flats wine label. The replica is found in the Hop Museum in Toppenish. |
At the end of the 2002 season Jim, and Kris decided to open their winery in the historic location. Knowing it would be open every day during the summer season, they knew it would be a great outlet for their new label. The area surrounding the Mercantile has a long history and the store has been an integral part of that history since 1911. Piety Flats was a nickname for the Donald area at the turn of the last century, so Piety Flats Winery was chosen as the name. Using the 1890 hop kiln across the road as a backdrop for the Piety Flats Winery label just made it perfect. |
From our initial offering of four vintages, the wine list has grown each year ... including returning favorites and new introductions.
Please isit Piety Flats Winery on your next trip to Washington Wine Country and the Yakima Valley; we look forward to sharing with you the wines we have created.
History of Donald Fruit and Mercantile
Built in 1911 by the W. J. Davis family for their mercantile business with living quarters. This building, known as the Davis Store, was used as the Donald Post Office until 1942. The picture of George Washington hangs where the Post Office was located.
In 1943 Wiley Close and his family acquired the Store, making the Emporium their livelihood until 1946 when Jake and Catherine Landeis moved to Donald and purchased it. The Landeis’ operated the Donald Grocery Store for 18 years.
In 1964 Sam and Etta Whitehurst and their family took over the ownership and continued the tradition of living in the house built onto the back of the store. They operated a trailer court and ran potato trucks during the spud harvest. In 1985 the store was sold and closed for the first time in its history while the new owners, Paul and Amy McDonald, moved the store to its present location where the Gas and Mini Market (locally known as the Donald Store) now stands.
Paul and Amy opened their new, remodeled store, minus the two story home that was attached, on July 31, 1986 and operated the Mercantile for the next 13 seasons. In 1999 Paul took on more orchards and the responsibility that was required. The store was closed for two years until Jim Russi (having a job in the related field of agriculture) leased the store in May of 2001, in the desire to carry on the fine traditions of the past owners.
The Mercantile Today
 Gourmet food and gift items throughout the country store are available for a picnic or treats to take home |
Recapture yesteryear's nostalgia with a visit to the Mercantile, an old-fashion country store. The rustic interior of the store still has the appearance of the past century, complete with creaking wooden floors, old country store fixtures and memorabilia of yesteryear. Visitors can enjoy the ambiance of bygone days while shopping from well-stock shelves. |
Historical area surrounding the Piety Flats Winery in Wapato, Washington:
Visitors to Piety Flats Winery can not only enjoy our fine wines and a picnic in the adjacent picnic area, but visit the historical sites in the surrounding area.
The early name for the area was ... Konewock ... a "lush grassy place"
Starting at the Bottom ... stories of the early days and founding families of Parker Bottom and Piety Flats.
Another interesting history on the Piety Flats area and the Flint family, early settlers - Yakima Pioneer history
On sale at the Piety Flats Winery ... a compilation of stories from the early days of Wapato ... Wapato History book
