MEET OUR PEOPLE

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Gerardo Espinosa

Anaya Vineyards / Winemaker & Co-Owner

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WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND RAISED?
I was born in Mexico and raised in both Mexico and Lodi.

WHEN DID YOU MOVE TO LODI?
I moved to Lodi when I was 14 years old. 

HOW MANY YEARS HAS YOUR FAMILY BEEN FARMING WINEGRAPES?
My family has been farming winegrapes in Lodi for the past 30 years.

WHAT IS THE MOST DIFFICULT ASPECT OF FARMING GRAPES?
The price of farming continues to increase while the prices paid for Lodi grapes do not. 

WHAT’S THE ONE THING YOU’D LIKE PEOPLE TO KNOW ABOUT LODI?
The people are down-to-earth. They’re also incredibly accessible. Walk into any winery and you’ll more than likely meet the owner and/or the winemaker.

WHO HAS BEEN THE MOST INFLUENTIAL MENTOR IN YOUR CAREER?
Heather Pyle-Lucas in winemaking; my grandfather and uncles in farming.

WHAT WOULD PEOPLE BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT YOU?
My family is one of the first Mexican-American vintners in Lodi.

WHAT CHORE DO YOU ABSOLUTELY HATE DOING?
Billing.

CURRENTLY, WHAT’S YOUR GO-TO DRINK?
A nice, cold Pilsner.

Pictured: Gerardo Espinosa (right) and uncle, Gerardo Anaya (left)