Est. 1889 · Payette & Fruitland, Idaho

Our
Story

A Century of Craft

Rooted in 1889.
Still here today.

1889
Founded
1970
Fairchild Family
50+
Years in Operation
80%
Sold East of Mississippi

The company traces its roots to 1889, when the Payette Cider and Vinegar Works was established in Payette, Idaho — processing thousands of tons of Payette Valley apples each year and shipping roughly forty carloads of "Golden Valley" brand vinegar to the Midwest annually.

In 1933 the operation was incorporated as the Payette Vinegar and Cider Company. In 1970, Virgil Fairchild purchased the company, bringing his brother Lynus in as a partner. Their sons Roger and John entered the business as the next generation. By 1978, Roger was serving as General Manager at age 25.

On December 2, 1978, a fire destroyed the Payette plant. Operations consolidated at the Fruitland facility, and Roger took over management. The current hilltop plant was built later, in the late 1990s. Today the company produces both USDA certified organic and conventional apple cider vinegar, shipping nationwide and internationally.

1889
Founded. The Payette Cider and Vinegar Works opens in Payette, Idaho, producing Golden Valley brand vinegar and cider from Payette Valley apples.
1933
Incorporated. Becomes the Payette Vinegar and Cider Company, continuing as a major regional apple processor.
1970
Fairchild family. Virgil Fairchild purchases the company, joining with brother Lynus. Their sons Roger and John enter the operation.
1975
Fruitland facility opens. The company moves operations to a facility in Fruitland, Idaho, expanding capacity ahead of the Payette plant's closure.
Dec. 2, 1978
The fire. The original Payette plant burns. All operations consolidate at the Fruitland facility. Roger, 25, takes over management.
1980–1990
Idaho State Senate. Roger serves in the Idaho State Senate while continuing to lead the vinegar operation.
Late 1990s
Hilltop facility built. The current plant is constructed on a hilltop outside Fruitland, significantly expanding fermentation and storage capacity.
Today
Golden Valley Vinegar. Roger leads the operation under John Galt Enterprises, Inc., producing organic and conventional ACV nationwide.
The Hilltop Facility

From bare hillside
to today.

Satellite imagery showing the construction and growth of the current Golden Valley Vinegar facility outside Fruitland, Idaho.

1994 2001 2003 2005 2010 2011 2013 2015 2016 Today
May 1994
Bare hilltop. No structures yet on this site.
1994
2001
2003
2005
2010
2011
2013
2015
2016
Today
Roger Fairchild
Owner · Golden Valley Vinegar
The Man Behind the Vinegar

Roger
Fairchild

"The undiluted truth. Our only ingredient remains Washington State whole, fresh, organic, juice-grade apples. Nothing else, not even water."

Roger Fairchild grew up in Midvale, Idaho. His father Virgil purchased the Payette Cider and Vinegar Company in 1970, and Roger came into the business as part of the next generation alongside his cousin John. By 1978, at just 25 years old, Roger was General Manager of the operation.

When the Payette plant burned on December 2, 1978, Roger took over management and rebuilt the operation at the Fruitland facility. He went on to serve in the Idaho State Senate and ran for Governor of Idaho in 1990 — all while continuing to run the vinegar plant.

The standard his father's generation set has never changed: whole apples only, no concentrate, no water added, never pasteurized.

General Manager at age 25, stepping up after the 1978 fire
Idaho State Senator, 1980 to 1990
Ran for Governor of Idaho, 1990
Has led the Fruitland operation for over four decades

A hilltop in Fruitland, Idaho. A half-century of craft.

The facility you see here processes whole Washington State apples into the purest apple cider vinegar made at scale anywhere in the country.

See the Process →