At Rivaura Estate Vineyard & Winery, fermentation is usually associated with grapes. But beneath our tasting room, hops, malt, yeast and water tell another part of the Hewett family story.
Welcome to River Ranch Brewing—our small-batch brewery at Rivaura and another expression of a family that has spent generations farming, creating and building along the Clearwater River.
From River Ranch to River Ranch Brewing
The name River Ranch isn’t something we came up with simply because it sounded good on a pint glass. It comes directly from the Hewett family’s roots.
Long before Rivaura’s first grapevines were planted, the Hewett family was farming and ranching in the Lewis-Clark Valley. The family moved to the Arrow area near Juliaetta in the 1950’s, and agriculture has remained part of everyday life ever since. Today, the family continues its hay and cattle operations at Hewett River Ranch and on Webb Ridge south of Lewiston.
When the family began researching the potential of growing wine grapes on its land, another chapter started. The first vines were planted, eventually growing into what visitors now know as Rivaura Estate Vineyard & Winery. River Ranch Brewing carries that same agricultural heritage into the brewhouse. It’s a different beverage, but the philosophy behind it is remarkably familiar: start with quality ingredients, understand the science, respect the process and don’t be afraid to experiment.
Meet the Brewer: Vince Hewett
If you’ve followed Rivaura for long, you probably already know Vince Hewett as one of our winemakers.
But downstairs in the brewery, he has another title: Brewmaster.
Vince earned his Bachelor of Science in Integrated Plant Science, with an emphasis in Viticulture and Enology, and a minor in Horticulture from Washington State University in 2019. His education gave him a strong foundation in plant science, fermentation, biochemistry and the many small variables that ultimately influence what ends up in your glass. His winemaking background includes years at Rivaura as well as experience with Muret-Gaston Winery, Sagemoor Vineyards and Artifex in Eastern Washington.
Beer, however, isn’t something Vince picked up as an afterthought. In fact, he was brewing beer before he was professionally making wine. While in college, Vince began experimenting with homebrewing. That curiosity followed him through his education and eventually back home to Rivaura. What began as experimentation with fermentation grew into the brewing program that became River Ranch Brewing. That crossover between wine and beer makes River Ranch a little different. A winemaker thinks about balance. A winemaker thinks about aroma, texture, fermentation temperature, yeast, timing and how individual components work together. Vince brings that same analytical—and sometimes experimental—mindset into brewing. The ingredients may change, but the attention to detail doesn’t.
Small Brewery. Big Opportunity to Experiment.
River Ranch Brewing is intentionally small. Our small-batch brewery gives Vince the freedom to explore different styles while maintaining the hands-on approach that defines both River Ranch and Rivaura. Over the years, the River Ranch lineup has included styles such as Pilsner, Kölsch, Pale Ale, Saison, Amber Ale and Oatmeal Stout, along with other rotating creations. And that’s part of the fun. Just as every vintage gives our winemakers a new set of conditions to work with, every batch of beer provides another opportunity to adjust, refine and experiment. For Vince, both crafts come back to understanding fermentation and knowing when to let science lead—and when experience and taste should make the final decision.
Brewed Downstairs. Enjoyed Upstairs.
There’s something a little unique happening beneath the Rivaura tasting room. That’s where River Ranch Brewing beer is made, but when it’s time to enjoy it, head upstairs. River Ranch beers are served right alongside Rivaura wines in our tasting room, giving everyone at the table something to enjoy while taking in the incredible views of the Clearwater River and surrounding Lewis-Clark Valley. It’s one of the things we love about having a winery and brewery under the same roof. Maybe you’re here to work your way through a Rivaura wine flight while your friend would rather have a cold pint. Maybe you’re a wine drinker who’s curious about what our winemaker does when you hand him hops instead of grapes. Or maybe you came for the beer and discovered a wine you never expected to love. That’s exactly how we like it. There doesn’t have to be a wine side and a beer side. At Rivaura, everyone gets to gather around the same table.
Two Crafts. One Family.
Rivaura and River Ranch Brewing may produce very different beverages, but they come from the same place. They’re rooted in the same family. The same land. The same curiosity. The same belief that if you’re going to make something, it’s worth taking the time to do it right. For generations, the Hewett family has found ways to build something meaningful from the land around them—from ranching and farming to vineyards, winemaking and brewing. River Ranch Brewing is another chapter in that story. So the next time you visit Rivaura, ask what’s currently on tap. The beer may be brewed downstairs, but the wine and beer—and the people who enjoy them—come together upstairs.
Author – Josh Larson
