About Us
As proprietors, Kelley and Aaron Lee, we begin our story in 2010 when we leased a section of the former Stadelman Building that would eventually be home to Maison de Glace Winery.
The building was constructed in approximately 1909, for the manufacture of ice and cold storage for keeping perishable fruit. Early ice merchants often transported large block of ice from mountain ice caves and stored them in well-insulated bays in The Dalles to provide ice for the drinks of thirsty customers at local hotels and restaurants. The facility held the distinction of being the largest ice and cold storage plant in eastern Oregon.
Kelley's great grandfather, Jesse Martin Mason, later took over the Ice business. Grandpa Mason was ahead of his time in setting fair prices and delivering ice to all his customers. The previous vendor charged 50% more per pound and sold minimum 5 and 10 lb. blocks. Grandpa raised the minimum to 25 lb. but guaranteed it would last longer than 5-10 lb. blocks. He encountered resistance at first because of the additional cost outlay up front. Grandpa Mason's method of reducing price/lb. and increasing the size of the sale, reduced his melt-age loss on the truck considerably. Therefore, he in the long run and his customer's had a better benefit. He made more money and the ice lasted longer.
Local residents may remember the old ice truck was a late 40's Dodge red power wagon pickup truck with black fenders that had a silver metal cover over the bed where the ice was kept. On the cover it read 'Mason's Ice'. Our wine label captures all of the color elements of the old ice truck.
Owners Aaron and Kelley Lee
