Hans Jacob Jeppesen was born on January 21, 1864 in Faaborg, Denmark. He was 21 years old when he traveled to America from Denmark on the Norwegian vessel, SS Moravia, departing from the port of Hamburg, Germany on March 17th, 1885. He arrived in the port of New York on Ellis Island on April 2, 1885. Eventually Hans settled in our central valley and bought a farm on Sumner and Cedar Ave and raised Muscat grapes, thus beginning a heritage of family farming. Daughter Eda married Arthur Fredrick Hammond on November 29, 1919. Howard, Art and Eda’s only child, was born September 2, 1926. This year Howard celebrates his 100th birthday.

Howard grew up on his parent’s 20 acre farm in Caruthers. Based on their shared vision to continue the Hammond Family farming tradition, Howard and Barbara, his wife and partner of 70 years, have through their tireless efforts, sacrifice and dedication, made this dream a reality. Today, together with son Rich, grandson Trent, and daughter-in-law Wendi, they continue our family’s farming heritage on the 400 acre Hammond Family Vineyards located in west Fresno near Biola. Grandson Nick, having also farmed this land with his family, now lives and works in the wine industry in Napa, California.