MEET OUR PEOPLE
Greg Burns
Jessie's Grove Winery / Winemaker & Grower
HOW MANY YEARS HAVE YOU AND YOUR FAMILY BEEN FARMING WINEGRAPES?
Our family has been farming winegrapes since 1868. I’ve been farming winegrapes for 26 years.
HOW MANY YEARS HAVE YOU BEEN MAKING WINE?
I have been making wine commercially for 21 years. I was a home winemaker for four years before I began making wine commercially.
TELL US ABOUT JESSIE’S GROVE ANCIENT VINE, BLOCK 4 VINEYARD?
The Ancient Vine Block 4 Vineyard was planted in 1900. The vines themselves are majestic – easily six to seven feet tall in some cases – and are own-rooted and head trained. I’m convinced the age of the vines are to credit for the amazing structure and complexity of the fruit.
WHAT IS THE MOST DIFFICULT ASPECT OF FARMING WINEGRAPES?
The economics; farming winegrapes is costly and the value of the crop is often understated. Also - learning how to step back and allow the vineyard to teach you what it needs versus the other way around.
WHAT WOULD PEOPLE BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT YOU?
That so many careers preceded my current career as grower and winemaker. I’ve been an EMT and general building contractor, among others. In my 20s I was an alpine ski racer and trained with the US Olympic team.
IF YOU HAD TO CHOOSE ANOTHER CAREER OR START OVER, WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
I would complete my Master of Wine degree and become a wine educator. I love to teach.
