MEET OUR PEOPLE
Jonathan Wetmore
Round Valley Ranches, Inc. / Owner & Grower
HOW MANY YEARS HAVE YOU BEEN FARMING?
I began farming in the vineyards in 1969. I started farming my own vineyards in 1976.
HOW MANY ACRES DO YOU FARM AND WHAT VARIETIES DO YOU GROW?
We farm 2,800 acres, all in Lodi. We farm Albariño, Grenache Blanc, Fiano, Sauvignon Blanc, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petite Sirah, Alicante Bouschet, Syrah, Petit Verdot, Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio, and Zinfandel.
WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU’D LIKE PEOPLE TO KNOW ABOUT LODI?
Lodi is a great community. The farmers in this area really try to work together.
HOW HAS THE LODI WINE REGION CHANGED OVER THE YEARS OR SINCE YOU’VE BEEN HERE?
I began farming when Tokay was king. There was always Zinfandel around as well. To see the huge change in Lodi has been truly amazing. Once the seedless red grapes came into existence, the Tokay grape was on its way out. With new varieties like Cabernet, Chardonnay, Merlot, and others being planted in Lodi came drip irrigation. Tokays had always been irrigated by ditch. With drip, it became possible to plant in more areas of Lodi. To see Lodi “reinvent itself” has been fun. Lodi has changed over the years and has been able to show the world what a great viticulture area it truly is.
IF YOU COULD MEET ANYONE, LIVING OR DEAD, WHO WOULD THAT BE AND WHY?
I would love to sit down with Julio Gallo.
FORD, CHEVY OR DODGE?
Ford.
