MEET OUR PEOPLE

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Dave Dart

D'art Wines / Owner & Winemaker

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HOW MANY YEARS HAVE YOU BEEN FARMING WINEGRAPES AND MAKING WINE?
I’ve been making wine for 20 years. I’ve been a farmer of winegrapes for 16 years.

FARMING IN LODI IS…
Fairly easy. We have perfect terroir – the soil, warm days cooled by Delta breeze – and abundance of water. Our biggest challenge is taming the vigorous growth of some of the grapes that grow here – a byproduct of perfect conditions.

HOW DID YOU KNOW YOU WANTED TO BE A WINEMAKER?
I attended a bottle-your-own event in Amador and thought “this seems fun.”

HOW HAS THE LODI WINE REGION CHANGED SINCE YOU’VE BEEN WINEMAKING AND WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU’D LIKE PEOPLE TO KNOW ABOUT LODI?
In the 20 years that I’ve been winemaking, the quality of the wines has grown as have the number of winegrape varieties being used to make interesting wines. We’re also seeing more out-of-town (and out-of-state) visitors to the region.

ANY ADVICE FOR SOMEONE JUST STARTING OUT AS A WINEMAKER?
Winemaking is fun! There are so many resources now for the new winemaker. The techniques being used and availability of products are so much better today. Winemakers love to talk about wine so don’t be afraid to ask questions of your peers. And as with any new adventure, just put one foot forward and start walking.

WHAT WOULD PEOPLE BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT YOU?
Hmm… Quite a bit. I’m a foodie. In my first career, I was a printer and business owner. And I’m an artist. You can view my works at the tasting room.

CURRENTLY, WHAT’S YOUR GO-TO DRINK?
Brandy.

Pictured: Dave and daughter, Jessica Dart