MEET OUR PEOPLE
Jeremy Trettevik
Jeremy Wine Co. / Owner & Winemaker
HOW MANY YEARS HAVE YOU BEEN MAKING WINE?
For 16 years. Six years working for other wineries and 10 years running our own.
WHAT IS THE MOST DIFFICULT ASPECT OF MAKING WINE?
Patience is probably the toughest. However, the number of variables is also very challenging. Every new vintage has its own unique contributing factors. There is weather, the vineyard, and farming practices. Not to mention the impacts of variety, clone, and rootstock, all of which come into play before you even get into fermentation and aging choices.
ANY ADVICE FOR SOMEONE JUST STARTING OUT AS A WINEMAKER?
Be humble and open, listen and work. When everything is perfect, the wine makes itself. Being a winemaker is learning how to work outside of perfect conditions and still come out with a great wine. It’s also putting your ego and expectations aside of the wines you’re making. Preconceived notions can sometimes cause you to overlook beautiful wines.
WHAT IS ONE THING YOU’D LIKE PEOPLE TO KNOW ABOUT LODI?
Lodi is an open, friendly community that has some great wines and wineries to be discovered.
WHAT WOULD PEOPLE BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT YOU?
That I like to work with lots of fermentations outside of wine. For example, kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickles. I also bake bread constantly. Baking rustic breads has been a quest that I've been on since 1997.
CURRENTLY, WHAT'S YOUR GO-TO DRINK?
Sparkling water, beer, and wine – usually consumed in that order.
WHAT CHORE DO YOU ABSOLUTELY HATE DOING?
Working on anything greasy – forklifts, cars, tractors… I’ll do it; it’s just not my thing.
Pictured: Jeremy Trettevik and wife, Choral Trettevik
