MEET OUR PEOPLE
John Gash
PRIE Winery / Owner & Winemaker
WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND RAISED?
I was born in California but have spent equal parts of my life in California and Colorado.
HOW MANY YEARS HAVE YOU BEEN FARMING WINEGRAPES AND MAKING WINE?
I have been farming for nine years and have been making wine for 12 years.
I FARM BECAUSE...
Growing has become increasingly centric in our philosophy in balancing quality, impact, and ethically fair labor. When guests ask what makes the wine, we tell them it is 45% vineyard, 60% winemaker, and 10% magic but, statistically incorrect. For the 45%, we work with a small set of vineyards (ours included) to create the foundation for our wine.
WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU’D LIKE PEOPLE TO KNOW ABOUT LODI?
Lodi is a California gem, away from the tension of the Bay, it embodies community, vineyards/orchards, and friendships.
WHAT ITEMS ARE CURRENTLY IN THE CENTER CONSOLE OR GLOVEBOX OF YOUR TRUCK OR CAR?
The truck was my father’s. In the console are his pictures of the grandkids, old receipts, and bolts and screws of long forgotten projects. On top, a box of Altoids, band-aids, irrigation parts, and vineyard dirt.
WHAT WOULD PEOPLE BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT YOU?
Many people have one or two careers. I have been graced with three overlapping careers: computer scientist, professor, grower and winemaker. I believe what we do here at PRIE is not possible without these perspectives. My passion to experiment, to learn, and to create are derived from those experiences and I wouldn’t trade them for anything.
CURRENTLY, WHAT’S YOUR GO-TO DRINK?
It can vary by season but green tea is high up on the list and espresso/coffee during harvest.
Pictured: John Gash and wife, Lisa Gash
