A Family Affair
Family is at the center of who we are. The winery is an extension of our hospitality and love and extends to our friends and community. There is no better way of connecting with each other than gathering around the table. Roland Wines is Longview’s living room.
Marc Roland
Owner + Winemaker
Marc Roland is the founder and winemaker at Roland Wines. His diverse background has shaped his life around the idea of relationships. Marc was a pastor and teacher for most of his life. He has a deep spirituality that is centered on the life of Jesus. His heroes are Martin Luther King, Jr, and Thomas Merton and Gandi. They have been life mentors through their teaching of inner peace and outward action. Marc has a Master's degree in educational technology. Most of his teaching career was working with incarcerated and at-risk youth.
Winemaking was an outlet for a stressful life. He started making wine in 1998 as a hobbyist and when he won best of show at the Newport Wine and Seafood Festival, he was encouraged to start a small commercial winery.
Marc has never stopped growing his ideas and sharing them with others. He writes for the Columbia River Reader and has been published in the Cowlitz County Historical Quarterly. He is sought out as an inspirational speaker where he teaches about wine, entrepreneurship, and quality of life. Call 360-560-6484 to schedule.
Nancy Roland
Owner
Nancy is the heart and soul of the winery. She is mentoring India and Alice to create events that are inspiring and exciting. Her attention to detail is a hallmark of the Roland operation. Most of Roland Wines first customers came from Nancy’s connections as a teacher. Although retired now, her love of kids and education keeps her in the classroom from time to time and animates much of our charitable giving. Her role at Roland Wines helps keep us organized (as organized as we can be).
Zak Roland
Owner
Zak Roland is our renaissance man who does just about everything, from winemaking, building, and running the kitchen. He is a partner in the enterprise and helps us stay on course through his ability to keep things simple. It was Zak's idea to add wood-fired pizza to the mix and has taken it beyond our expectations. Zak attended the University of Montana with a major in English Literature (who does that?) and is a graduate of the Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding. He is the steady one in the family. Always wanting to make sure the ship is seaworthy, his integrity keeps us honest and true. He loves his three children Alice, Peter, and Zak. He studies JuJitsu which has given him his focus to face life with discipline and grace.
He is a quiet and gentle, but also outspoken on issues he cares about. Roland Wines will be in good hands in the future as he takes on more responsibilities and learns every aspect of the business.
India Thompson
India is a multi-talented powerhouse who does just about every thing here at the winery. If wine needs bottling or people need attending, she is to the rescue. Our customers love the way she make them feel with her positive attitude and hugs for all that need them. She manages our growing events business and wine club. Her goal is to create a venue for events that can make every occasion special. India’s dream is to become a wedding planner! She is now running her own, wildly successful charcuterie board business, Forget Me Not Boards.
Alice Roland
Alice has made herself an indispensable member of our team. She has really come into her own, showing her abilities in the kitchen and out front serving the folks. She started out like all the kids working harvests and getting her feet wet in the grapes. She excels academically, particularly in literary and historical pursuits, and plans to study anthropology in college. Alice is socially active and is passionate about human rights and environmental conservation. She hopes to publish a book one day, which we know will be a great success! She has read for the local Wordfest group and hopes to get more involved.
Ezra Thompson
Ezra is our go-to person for everything. He is learning all aspects of the business and is the right-hand man for Zak. Ezra has a great sense of humor, keeping everyone in the kitchen entertained. He is full of creativity and as a child created the La Chanson label. His smile is contagious. He is vegan and loves to spice things up much to the dismay of Zak; some would say, too spicy! But some of our customers insist on asking for the 'Ezra special' which isn't on the menu. He has a super palate for tasting wine and participates in wine evaluation.