Meet Vido

Born in 1941 and raised in Yakima, Washington, Arvid ‘Vido’ Monson started feeding cattle with his dad at six years of age, then ran a newspaper route and sold ice cream on Fruit Row as a youngster. He graduated from Selah High School in 1959 and went on to Yakima Valley Community College - where he met his wife, Suzanne.

Arvid went out on his own in 1975 with a feed yard in Sunnyside. He created Washington Beef, with partners, in 1977. Expansion into other aspects of agriculture began in 1979, in planting of a Red Delicious orchard on the Roza. The family then developed a high-density apple orchard along the Snake River in 1993. The development of Goose Ridge Estates began just a few years later.

Arvid was active in many organizations, including the National Cattlemen's Beef Association and Washington Association of Wine Grape Growers, and held leadership positions in many others. In both 1979 and 2004, received the Washington State "Cattle Feeder of the Year" award.

Never afraid of a challenge, Arvid was a visionary innovator - always looking forward, looking to improve both his business and agriculture generally. He tried new things and took calculated risks. His years of experience, knowledge and wisdom - generously shared - left a legacy within his family and within the agriculture community.

Arvid always said that his proudest accomplishment was his family, and he loved spending time with family and friends. Affectionately known as “Vido,” VIDO Vodka is the Monson Family tribute to fulfilling Arvid’s dream.