My mom loves to tell the story that I never wanted to marry a farmer or be in the wine grape industry. I didn’t expect life to take me in this direction. Growing up, my dad, as the fourth-generation farmer, tilled the land here on Harney Lane. We primarily grew wine grapes, but also farmed table grapes, sweet corn, and a variety of other crops to make ends meet. Farming was challenging, especially some years. Throughout certain years it be-came very evident how little of the farming you can control. We can’t influence the weather, the market forces, and so much more, which is precisely why I had decided it wasn’t for me.
In an unexpected turn of events, Kyle ended up helping my dad with the farming through some of his health issues. Not only was he a natural, but he loved it. When Kyle came on board, he began to diversify the business by picking up property management and other services to help the business and increase stability from year to year. In response, I cut back on my hours as a physical therapist and began helping with office work. From billing to payroll, there’s no doubt I took on the glamorous jobs.
In 2005, Kyle and I started discussing another layer of diversification—making our own wine. It was important to us that we were good stewards of the land we had been entrusted with. Little did I know the course this idea would take me on. It’s been quite a ride! We have been blessed with a consistent growth pattern and every day brings new challenges and new lessons.
Today, I find myself in another position I never expected. And if I’m being honest, a position I often avoid—one of leadership. Kyle and I partner to lead our business together. However, leadership doesn’t feel natural to me. I can overthink, overanalyze, and put a lot of pressure on myself to do things right. Will I make the wrong decision and will people judge what I do? Will I be overwhelmed with too much? The answer is, of course, yes. If I am being transparent, I would prefer to let others make the tough decisions and subsequently take responsibility for the outcomes. But that’s not the way life has played out for me.
I am learning that leadership is a journey. I am also realizing that we are all in positions of leadership, whether we realize it or not. Whether you run a business, a household, or even just your own life, we all have opportunities to lead. Instead of running from the opportunity, we all have the chance to embrace leadership. Leadership can be as simple as doing the right thing, being a positive example, or showing love and compassion to others. Leadership doesn’t require any official titles, it just requires a mindset. This season, I am raising a glass tothe leader in all of us! May we use the responsibility wisely and with much love.
Featured Wines
Aging: 18 months on French Oak
Sub-Appelation: Mokelumne River
Released: November 2021
Tasting Notes:
This Lodi-grown single-vineyard Zinfandel displays juicy fruit characters of ripe wild blackberry, boysenberry jam, and candied cherry. An intoxicating opulence of sweet baking spices, warm texture, and serious structure make for an unforgettable long-lasting finish.
Aging: 18 months in American Oak
Sub-Appelation: Mokelumne River
Released: January 2022
Tasting Notes:
This vibrant, densely colored Petite Sirah is imbued with blackberry, dark currant, cracked black pepper, and liqueur aromas. With refined tannins, sweet smoky oak, molasses and a touch of loamy earthiness, this concentrated, full-bodied wine delivers big on mouthfeel and flavor.
Featured Recipe
Try Pairing with 2019 Petite Sirah, Home Ranch
2 pork tenderloins
1 head red cabbage
3 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp berbere spice
2 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp thyme
10-12 pearl onions (raw)
2 C shredded fennel bulb
½ C white wine
2 tsp black pepper
2 tsp kosher salt
In a heavy bottom skillet or Dutch oven, heat up olive oil over medium-high heat. Prepare tenderloins by patting them dry using a paper towel. Then mix all spices together in a small bowl.
Coat tenderloins very well using all of the spice mixture. Rub it in with your hands. Place tenderloins in a pan and sear all sides until browned (about 6 minutes total), turning as needed. Remove from pan and preheat oven to 350°.
Shred red cabbage about ⅛” thick. Set aside. Shred the fennel bulb as well and keep separated.
Peel the pearl onions. Place cabbage on bottom of pan and lay tenderloins on top of cabbage. Add white wine. Cover and place in the oven for 15 minutes.
Remove cover. Add onions and fennel on top of tenderloin and return to oven for another 15-20 minutes.
Remove from oven and replace cover. Allow to sit for 10 minutes. Place cabbage on the plate, slice tenderloin into ¼” thick slices and place on top of pork. Garnish with fennel and onions. Top with fennel frills as a garnish.
A Letter From Carson
My two favorite titles are “wife” and “mom.” I am blessed to get to add these to my list and of course, the people that come along with them. Many of you will remember and relate to the difficult, exhausting days (and late nights) of having a toddler and a baby. These are some of the most challenging, but joy-filled times I have ever had. It is all too easy to pour into others, but before I know it, I have forgotten to fill up my own cup. Soon, it becomes hard to pour into others when you aren’t being refilled yourself.
One of the things I love about walking through our tasting room is how much “cup-filling” I see. Friends getting together after time apart, a couple’s date free of the little ones, or a solo trip to enjoy a glass while catching up on some reading – these are just a few of the scenes I often notice sprinkled around the property.
We hope you will give us the opportunity to pour into you! Not only can we offer you a place to escape the world for a little while, but we can literally fill your cup – with your favorite wine! I urge you to find those things that will fill you up and make time for them this year.
Carson Wick, Wine Club Manager
Coming Up
Winter Release Virtual Tasting
Enjoy a complimentary wine tasting experience from the comfort of your home! Invite friends and family to taste through our 2019 Old Vine Zinfandel, Lizzy James Vineyard and 2019 Petite Sirah, Home Ranch along with your wine guides, Kyle, Jorja, and Carson. We hope you can join us!
Please visit this page to sign up.
