Paul Van Der Veldt

Paul van der Veldt owned and operated Shallon Winery in Astoria. He was known for formulating and perfecting the first good-tasting whey wines in the world. He personally received and served some 80,000 guests during his tenure there from 1980 to 2021.

Paul was born in Seaside to Theodore J. and Esther Alice Clark van der Veldt, and grew up in the forests around Tucker Creek in Youngs River. His early education was at St. Mary, Star of the Sea School, Battle Creek School District No. 29 and Capt. Robert Gray School. He attended Reed College after graduating from Astoria High School in 1943.

Paul’s work life began as a log scaling helper. He then worked for Clatsop County Judge Guy Boyington at Clatsop County Court, and was active in the early formation of the Keep Oregon Green Association. He later worked for the Los Angeles County Department of Charities, as well.

He was in the U.S. Navy from 1950 to 1954, during the Korean War, finishing his service as a personnelman aboard the USS Ajax (AR-6) in Japan. At California State Polytechnic College in San Luis Obispo, California, he studied engineering and English, and became enamored with Harley Davidson motorcycles.

Nineteen-sixty found Paul back in Astoria working for his father’s heavy construction company, Grimstad and Vanderveldt, where he worked as a powder monkey in the summers during his stint at California State Polytechnic. The company built regional roads, municipal water systems and 200 miles of logging roads for Crown Zellerbach.

During this period, he remodeled his Seaside home in Japanese style. Paul had a lifelong interest in and love of Japanese culture and the Buddhist religion.

The 1970s brought about a segue from construction to winemaking. While going out to sea as a cook on tugboats, the study of fermentation took up the bulk of Paul’s time.

Upon finishing the remodel of the Wicks Building at 16th and Duane streets, Shallon Winery was opened to the public in July 1980, remaining open every day until 2021.

Paul had a wide circle of eclectic friends. For many years, he kept 100 acres in the Walluski area, where he attempted to establish a commune, which really became a “hippie subdivision.”

Paul is survived by his brother, Charles van der Veldt, of Astoria; his niece, Debbie van der Veldt Gramson; a nephew, Michael van der Veldt; and several quasi-foster sons. His former wife, Nancy Butterfield, is deceased.

His ashes will be spread on Neahkahnie Mountain during the 2025 vernal equinox in celebration of Paul’s extraordinary life, the many years of celebration he hosted there during the equinox, and the many lives he touched during his 99 years with us here on Earth.