MEET OUR PEOPLE
Kendra Altnow
LangeTwins Family Winery & Vineyards / Partner & Sustainability Manager
HOW MANY YEARS HAS YOUR FAMILY BEEN FARMING WINEGRAPES AND WHAT VARIETIES DO YOU FARM?
Our family has been growing grapes for five generations. I’m fifth generation. We farm for ourselves and clients. Our family farm is roughly 1500 acres, and our client owned acreage is somewhere around 6000 acres (this includes Clarksburg ranches as well). We treat each vineyard we farm the same, paying attention to the needs of the vineyard and land. We grow 26 or more varieties, everything from the classics of Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon to lesser-known varieties such as Montepulciano, Aglianico, and Nero d'Avola.
WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU’D LIKE PEOPLE TO KNOW ABOUT LODI?
Lodi is rooted in authenticity, from the growers to the winemakers and all the helping hands in between. For our grower and vintner community, it's a way of life; a generational commitment to the land, and a passion.
HOW HAS THE LODI WINE REGION CHANGED OVER THE YEARS?
It has changed immensely! For instance: more wineries, additional varieties, unique wine styles, etc. The next and younger generations are getting involved and more and more people outside of Lodi are speaking positively about our region.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LOCAL SPOT OR SPOTS IN LODI?
Guantonio's! From pizzas with farm fresh ingredients to interesting wines, it's a weekly family dinner that we all look forward to.
WHAT IS ONE ASPECT OF YOUR CAREER WHICH MIGHT SURPRISE PEOPLE?
Like so many other generational family members, I started my “career” in the vineyards: checking irrigation with dad; taking sugar samples with mom; and later, when I could drive, sugar testing and monitoring soil moisture on my own. I miss the days of being in the vineyards. I’m drawn to the outdoors!
WHO HAS BEEN THE MOST INFLUENTIAL MENTOR IN YOUR CAREER?
I’ve had more than one person influence different aspects of my career. At the end of the day, it’s my family. Our shared ethics, values, and relationships is at the core of what I do and serves as my motivation to keep moving forward.
WHAT CHORE DO YOU ABSOLUTELY HATE DOING?
Cleaning. I don’t mind picking up and keeping things organized, but when it comes to deep cleaning, forget about it!
IF YOU HAD TO CHOOSE ANOTHER CAREER OR START OVER, WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
I’d likely take a path focused on the balance between environmental health and farming.
