MEET OUR PEOPLE

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Joan Kautz

Ironstone Vineyards / Global Sales & Marketing

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HOW LONG HAS YOUR FAMILY BEEN FARMING WINEGRAPES? 
My family has been farming winegrapes since 1968.

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FIRST MEMORIES OF WINE? 
One of my first memories is of sitting in winery offices with my dad who was working to sell our grapes. I remember being quite bored. Today, I’m talking with some of these same people! I have another memory of being given a case of wine from my parents to take with me to Cal Poly. It sat in the house I was living in for a year because none of us knew how to open it or what to do with it after it had been opened. 

WHO HAS BEEN THE MOST INFLUENTIAL MENTOR IN YOUR CAREER? WHY?
Dennis Collins taught me the basics of being in the wine business and answered all of the questions I didn't want to ask. Peter Huwiler is such a knowledgeable person and helped me understand the international wine business.

WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU’D LIKE PEOPLE TO KNOW ABOUT LODI?
The people are authentic, hardworking, and loyal to the goal of building up the entire community.

WHAT ITEMS ARE CURRENTLY IN THE CENTER CONSOLE OR GLOVEBOX OF YOUR TRUCK OR CAR?
Lotion, horse cookies (my horse Cody sprints to my car when I come down the driveway), a flashlight, and facemasks.

WHAT WOULD PEOPLE BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT YOU?
I rode horses competitively and won the World Championships in Youth Working Cow Horse when I was 15 – I’m not telling you what year.

IF YOU COULD MEET ANYONE, LIVING OR DEAD, WHO WOULD THAT BE AND WHY?
Betty White – she is awesome!

Pictured: Joan Kautz and dog, Olive