The Best of Both Worlds
We interviewed every big name vineyard manager in the valley for Fantesca.
I grew up in farm country, so I know how much difference it makes to have someone at the top of their game.
I decided the best fit for us was Hugo and Lupe Maldonado. Lupe has farmed Newton Vineyards on Spring Mountain for 30 years. He knows our mountain. His son, Hugo has a viticulture degree from UC Davis and has worked with him side by side for over a decade. To me, it is an unbeatable combination of experience and education. Also, everyone that works for the Maldonados knows that Lupe has done every job in the vineyard; Well.
He takes pride in his vineyards and the respect that his workers have for him takes them to a higher level.
Working with the Maldonados is Tom Prentice. Tom is highly regarded in the valley, but he carries himself like one of the guys. I was concerned about how the "science" guy communicates with the "farming" guy. As soon as I saw Lupe and Tom together, I knew I had nothing to worry about. They had the easy comraderie of old friends. Giving each other a hard time, but respectful of each others skills and experience.
In my experience, the greatest plan is worthless without execution. You have to have both AND you have to have the communication to assure the plan can be altered on the fly. Nothing goes as planned; Especially grape farming.
-Duane
I grew up in farm country, so I know how much difference it makes to have someone at the top of their game.
I decided the best fit for us was Hugo and Lupe Maldonado. Lupe has farmed Newton Vineyards on Spring Mountain for 30 years. He knows our mountain. His son, Hugo has a viticulture degree from UC Davis and has worked with him side by side for over a decade. To me, it is an unbeatable combination of experience and education. Also, everyone that works for the Maldonados knows that Lupe has done every job in the vineyard; Well.
He takes pride in his vineyards and the respect that his workers have for him takes them to a higher level.
Working with the Maldonados is Tom Prentice. Tom is highly regarded in the valley, but he carries himself like one of the guys. I was concerned about how the "science" guy communicates with the "farming" guy. As soon as I saw Lupe and Tom together, I knew I had nothing to worry about. They had the easy comraderie of old friends. Giving each other a hard time, but respectful of each others skills and experience.
In my experience, the greatest plan is worthless without execution. You have to have both AND you have to have the communication to assure the plan can be altered on the fly. Nothing goes as planned; Especially grape farming.
-Duane
posted by Duane Hoff @ 8:20 PM
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