MEET OUR PEOPLE
Marilia Nimis-Schrader
Oak Farm Vineyards / Winemaker
WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND RAISED?
I was born in Friuli, a region in the northeast of Italy, on the border with Austria and Slovenia.
WHEN DID YOU MOVE TO LODI?
I moved to Lodi in August 2019 to work harvest, and I never left.
WHAT IS YOUR FIRST MEMORY OF WINE AND HOW DID YOU KNOW YOU WANTED TO BE A WINEMAKER?
I tasted wine for the first time as a child. My granddad used to make a few gallons a year for our family. I remember him asking me to “check the wine” to be sure it was good. Currently, my family farms approximately 15 acres in Italy, including Glera (used for Prosecco), Ribolla Gialla, Pinot Grigio, and Pinot Nero. When I was living in Italy, I helped with vineyard work, including pruning. At 18, I enrolled in viticulture and winemaking classes at college, hungry to learn more and follow in my family’s footsteps. It has been the best choice I have ever made!
WHAT MAKES A “GREAT” WINE?
Good, healthy grapes which are picked at the right time. Also, attention to details!
ANY ADVICE FOR SOMEONE JUST STARTING OUT AS A WINEMAKER?
Don’t give up! When you’re beginning, things can seem complicated (and tiring – thanks to all the cleaning!). Work hard and focus your passion and love on the details; the fun will come later! Even a tiny mistake during the winemaking process can compromise the final product. If you learn to do things right in the beginning, you’ll build a strong foundation.
WHAT ITEMS ARE CURRENTLY IN THE CENTER CONSOLE OR GLOVEBOX OF YOUR TRUCK OR CAR?
A cup of coffee, a bottle of water, sunglasses, my business card, phone charger, and a gas station card.
