MEET OUR PEOPLE

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Robert Smerling

Cabana Winery / President & Winemaker

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WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND RAISED AND HOW MANY YEARS HAVE YOU BEEN MAKING WINE?
I was born in Connecticut and raised in Boston, Massachusetts. I have been making wine for 33 years.  

HOW MANY YEARS HAVE YOU BEEN FARMING? HOW MANY ACRES DO YOU FARM?
I have been farming for 33 years. Currently, I farm 10 acres but formerly farmed as many as 1,000 acres.

WHAT IS YOUR FIRST MEMORY OF WINE AND HOW DID YOU KNOW YOU WANTED TO BE OR END UP AS A MEMBER OF THE INDUSTRY?
When I was 16, I tried a La Cour Pavillion. Immediately, I knew I liked wine.

WHAT IS ONE ASPECT OF YOUR CAREER WHICH MIGHT SURPRISE PEOPLE?
I was a Wall Street executive up until 30 years ago. At that point, I had had enough, and I decided to become a winemaker. I had no formal training. 

WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU’D LIKE PEOPLE TO KNOW ABOUT LODI?
Lodi is a wonderful winegrape region that continues to grow toward its full potential.

CURRENTLY, WHAT’S YOUR GO-TO DRINK?
Petite Sirah.

WHAT WOULD PEOPLE BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT YOU?
In college, I studied archaeology.