In a run-up to the important FamilyWinemaker’s tasting this next weekend in San Francisco, we asked El Dorado Wine Grape Growers Association
members “What’s a family enterprise mean to you?”. Some of the key words from the first
replies: family, work ethic,
generations, vision, standing together, quality goals.
Here’s one detailed reply from
Ann Walker Johnson of Walker Vineyards,
which planted grapevines in 1968 on their one-hundred year old family farm situated above the Cosumnes River at 2100’
elevation. Today they grow Zinfandel,
Chardonnay, Barbera, Petite Sirah and Merlot on 21 acres in El Dorado’s Oak
Hill Agricultural District.
Old Barn on the Ranch |
“A family enterprise means uniting
behind a shared vision and goal. Growing up on a ranch that has been in the
family for over 100 years, we have a long standing tradition of working the
land.
Zinfandel |
“I watched my mom and dad begin
their vineyard in the early 1970's and as a member of the family I was expected
to contribute to the process. (As the youngest of four daughters, that
initially meant carrying a water jug until I was old enough to graduate to
disbudding vines and helping with portable irrigation pipe.) We all worked
together to take care of the vines.
Ann Walker Johnson at Harvest |
"Now, some 40 years later I'm back on the ranch sharing that vision again. Why come back? For me it was an opportunity to really get to know my dad on a different level. I've learned a tremendous amount about viticulture from him ... but I have also shared many moments (sometimes humorous, sometimes not) from repairing the 6" pipeline to learning exactly which fittings you need to lubricate on the mower.
Sorting out grow tubes |
“I also have my own family working
with me. Is it my 16 year old daughter's first choice to be up at 6:00 AM the
one day of week she could actually sleep in since high school is back in
session? No! But, she does understand that a family pulls together when work
needs to get done and I think imparting a sound work ethic is one of the best
things we can do for our kids.
Son Josh and friend smile after a long day of planting vines |
“So a family enterprise means just
that... family. Working together through the good times and the stressful times
and standing together behind a goal, which for us is to grow the highest
quality wine grapes we can.”
No comments:
Post a Comment