Wine Down Ranch was established in 2012 by Roy and Mary Beyer. Previously, the ranch was owned by Roy’s family through Beyer Tree Farm. Roy and his brothers alternated working the the timber, living on the ranch, and learning the ropes of ranching.
In 1996, Beyer Tree Farm purchased the Demaris Ranch from Gail Demaris, who was the last owner in a long line of his family's original homestead.
Members of the Demaris family were early settlers on Mill Creek and McKay Creek. The Demaris family was one of the earliest to begin logging and milling operations in the region.
John Walter “Walt” Demaris established a ranch at this site near the Ochoco National Forest boundary, and also operated small sawmills in the vicinity. He was married to Minnie Mae Birdsong, and had six children: Charley, Dorothy, Gail, Lawrence, Marjorie and Mabel. The original family house stood for many years before being destroyed by a fire in the late 1990’s. (credit: Crook County by Steve Lent, pp.76)