Our Roots
David’s roots of growing up in a rural farm community drew him to the open fields that were found on the ThornCreek site upon his first visit. Almost immediately, David envisioned what the former Dankorona Winery might look like with a complete make-over inside and out. Although his initial intention was purely to find a home for DTR Associates, he quickly realized that he could incorporate his other loves of “great wine and food” into a unique business model that would allow for his winery and landscape business to cohabitate and both benefit from the inspiring landscapes that he envisioned. In 2005, David Thorn purchased the seven acre property that is now known as ThornCreek Winery & Gardens. During his initial visit he imagined the “ThornCreek Experience” that has become our business “tag line” and the driving force for all of his business decisions and financial investments into the facility. During a full year of renovations, the interior space was reworked and designed into a casually elegant European style tasting room, and the lower level aging cellar was renovated into a multi-functional production area for making all of his award winning varietals and a very unique “lounge underground” for special events and nightly business. The grounds were transformed into lush gardens, patio spaces, lawn areas and an organic re-claimed culinary garden that is used to enhance the seasonal, fresh offerings that can be found on the ThornCreek Winery menu.
In 2013, ThornCreek added a covered secret tented garden and entertainment space complete with a waterfall, babbling brook, lush plantings, twinkling lights and easy access for wedding guests and caterers that can comfortably accommodate up to 200 people. We also proudly introduced our tenth wine, a Syrah that can best be described as a big wine with an approachable disposition. With the increased popularity of the winery as both an evening destination as well as a special events venue, ThornCreek continues to provide a unique experience to all of our visitors through Thorn’s innovative thinking and creative use of space. Since its inception, ThornCreek has evolved into a winery that could rival any Napa Valley winery in both experience and quality of handcrafted wine and cuisine.
The future is bright for ThornCreek! Our eleventh wine – Pinot Noir – was introduced in May 2014. Each year it is the goal of our owner to continue to add more gardens and create new intimate, romantic and unexpected spaces that are sensitive to the environment, enable natural habitats and provide an “ever-changing “ experience for our loyal customers. It is our commitment to our customers to constantly fine tune the “ThornCreek Experience”.
