Our Vintner John Bacigalupi
John Bacigalupi Harvest 2018
For the last 35 years, second-generation vintner John Bacigalupi has lovingly and meticulously managed our vineyards. This longevity of vineyard experience has allowed him to develop an intimate knowledge of the vineyards’ micro climates, vine behavior and soil structures. A quiet, educated and humble man, John can often be found among the vines or behind a tractor. So, who is John Bacigalupi and how did he come to be a central part of our multi-generational business?
As a young boy John attended the 3R Elementary School in Santa Rosa. After eighth grade he attended high school in Carlsbad, just north of San Diego. During summers and long breaks from school he would help his father Charles in the vineyards. John did everything from tying vines, to suckering, pruning, and fixing irrigation pipes. “The pipes were always broken and needing to be fixed,” notes John when reflecting on his time with his father.
After graduating from high school John returned home to continue helping in the vineyards. He then attended the Santa Rosa Junior College where he
took classes in Chemistry and Biology. On rare occasions when John was not working on the ranch, some of his fondest memories are the summers
he spent with his father sailing up to Canada, around Vancouver Island, and in the San Francisco Bay.
Most of John’s knowledge of farming is self-taught, gleaned from his eagerness to read, trial and error, and persistence. John has often said that farming is not an occupation; it is a way of life.
Q and A with John Bacigalupi
What do you enjoy most about farming?
John: There is a sameness from season to season, but every day can be
different. I enjoy working outdoors, fixing things and doing mechanical
work. I enjoy winter the most because it is quiet and there is time to
recover from the busy harvest season. The days are shorter, and the
ranch has a quiet, peaceful feel. The vines are sleeping and storing their
energy for the next growing season.
What is your favorite grape to farm?
John: I guess it would be Pinot Noir. It is not very susceptible to mold or
rot and you can pick it early. I think those that say it’s the hardest to farm
are not planting it in the correct soil or using the best rootstock. It requires
a moderate climate as well. The weather here is incredibly moderate and we have ample rain and good soil. You have to have all the above.
How did you feel about starting a wine label with the Bacigalupi
name several decades after the partnership with Belvedere ended?
John: The journey started with deciding whether we wanted to produce wine on our own. We had tried to do partnerships in the past and none of them produced satisfactory results. So, we decided to do it ourselves and work with winemaker Ashley Herzberg. I felt very positive about our working relationship with her. Ashley is easy to work with. She has the ability to take an imperfect situation, solve problems, and make things right.
What are the greatest challenges you face as a farmer?
John: As a farmer I know that Mother Nature is unpredictable. For example, we can’t control the weather. We have to be flexible. Sometimes it’s not always just about the numbers and readings. If it rains and we need to pick, the fruit may not have reached the ideal sugar level. Nature doesn’t care. Sometimes you have to adapt and deal with the elements and that can be tough.
What are the biggest changes you see coming to farming in
the next decade?
John: I believe we are in a period where traditional farming will begin to
disappear. Science and data will revolutionize food production. Hopefully,
the outcome of this will be positive. We will be more able to reduce pests
and other negative environmental factors. I see farming becoming less about bowing to nature and more about working with nature while reaping the benefits of technology.
