Tasting at Via Vega Vineyard
Larry
Gomez loves his family, his dogs and his wines (probably in that order). He
possesses an affectionate heart enough to care for his many vineyard dogs as
well as donating some of this earned money to ZOO to YOU; a shelter for
abandoned, stray or disabled animals right across the street from Via Vega. You
might want to hug him when you meet him.
For Larry
winemaking isn't recent. He started out as a teenager helping out at this
uncle's vineyard in Napa. He and his brother Rick would do it all, drawn by the
sheer tranquility of cultivating the land.A productive way to while your time
as a teenager.
A
productive way to whittle away your time as a teenager. The rising popularity of
Cabernet Sauvignon saw Tony sell the vineyard, inspiring Larry to go back to
school and become a winemaker.
He started
with Brandy, then as assistant winemaker at Monterey's Lockwood vineyard.
Moving to J.Lohr Winery in Paso Robles in '98 would put him within a mile of his
destiny. He bought the plot that is now Via Vega, a 20-acre allotment a mile
from J.Lohr, and begun working at planting eleven varietal blocks.
Six
vintages; four at J.Lohr and two at Wild Horse would keep him busy till 2002,
when he was finally prepared to harvest his fruit.
Larry
Gomez has it all, from Rhone Varietals to Cabernet Sauvignon and more. He has
selected varietals that will keep him entertained, waking up each day energized
to go out into the vineyard.Here's a little clip of him sharing his passion for
wine https://vimeo.com/23892003
With the
Wine Wrangler, swing by in October/November for the annual Day of the Dead
celebrations “Día del los Muertos”. The annual Port pairing where he opens
special Ports made from estate grown Portuguese varietals. Larry and his lovely
wife April will be happy to receive you.
Book a day with the Wine Wrangler and request a stop at Via Vega.
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