MEET OUR PEOPLE
John & Jeff Perlegos
Stampede & Cherryhouse Vineyards / Growers
HOW MANY YEARS HAVE YOU AND YOUR FAMILY BEEN FARMING WINEGRAPES?
Our father began farming grapes in the 1950s after emigrating to the US. We’ve been helping out in the vineyards since we were seven or eight. Our father passed away when we were in high school, so the responsibilities grew exponentially afterwards.
WHAT IS THE MOST DIFFICULT ASPECT OF FARMING WINEGRAPES?
The most difficult aspect is not being able to control the things we can’t control, namely weather. We must take what mother nature gives us and take appropriate measures as best we can. Every season is different and can vary down to the week and day so there's a lot to constantly think and strategize about.
TELL US ABOUT STAMPEDE VINEYARD.
Stampede sits in a deep, sandy (rare for this area) soil pocket of land in the Clements Hills AVA which usually features rocky, shallow soil. The vines are planted in a diamond pattern, not a square, which allows soil tillage in multiple (more than 2) directions to eliminate competitive weeds while dry farming. It also provides more soil area per vine for root exploration. The vineyard is a Zinfandel field blend featuring about 10 total varieties.
PEOPLE SAY PARENTS DON’T HAVE A FAVORITE CHILD. IS THAT THE SAME WITH FARMERS AND VINEYARDS?
Like children (or family members in general), we tend to love our vineyards in different ways depending on what each needs. Stampede is older and wiser and needs a gentle touch. Some of our other vineyards need lots of attention, guidance, and nurturing.
WHAT WOULD PEOPLE BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT YOU?
Don’t hold this against us: We are Dallas Cowboys fans. It’s the era we grew up in! But we do support all our other local teams, especially Giants, Kings, and Warriors.
CURRENTLY, WHAT’S YOUR GO-TO DRINK?
Outside of wine, I (Jeff) like a nice small batch, herbal gin and tonic while John goes for an Old Fashioned. We also have a terrible addiction to LaCroix & Perrier.
Pictured: Brothers John (left) and Jeff Perlegos (right)
