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Century-old vines, curious cattle, and a charismatic blue heeler—this assignment captured the history and charm of Pat Wirz’s farm and his family’s connection to the land.
Editorial assignments are always full of surprises—that’s part of what makes them so rewarding. This one brought me to Pat Wirz’s farm to photograph him, his 100-year-old Cab Pfeffer grapevines, and a glimpse into his daily life.
By the time I arrived late in the morning, Pat had already finished his farm chores—a reminder of the early rhythms of farm life. Without a clear shot list to follow, I spent the day exploring his property alongside him, listening to stories about his family’s century-old vines and the history rooted in the land.
Pat’s farm was more than just grapevines. There were cattle, pigs, and, as I quietly hoped, a herding dog. Near the end of the day, his young blue heeler, Annie, made a grand escape from the house to greet us. As a fellow heeler owner, it was a joy to share that moment of connection.
What struck me most was the farm’s sense of continuity. Having moved so often in my own life, I’m always drawn to places where families have built deep, multigenerational ties to the land. Being able to document that history—both the past it holds and the present it sustains—was a privilege.
Editorial assignments are always full of surprises—that’s part of what makes them so rewarding. This one brought me to Pat Wirz’s farm to photograph him, his 100-year-old Cab Pfeffer grapevines, and a glimpse into his daily life.
By the time I arrived late in the morning, Pat had already finished his farm chores—a reminder of the early rhythms of farm life. Without a clear shot list to follow, I spent the day exploring his property alongside him, listening to stories about his family’s century-old vines and the history rooted in the land.
Pat’s farm was more than just grapevines. There were cattle, pigs, and, as I quietly hoped, a herding dog. Near the end of the day, his young blue heeler, Annie, made a grand escape from the house to greet us. As a fellow heeler owner, it was a joy to share that moment of connection.
What struck me most was the farm’s sense of continuity. Having moved so often in my own life, I’m always drawn to places where families have built deep, multigenerational ties to the land. Being able to document that history—both the past it holds and the present it sustains—was a privilege.
