Episode 12: Peter and Gary Heitz - 5 generations of Napa Valley History, the Charbono story and Shypoke Winery

The Heitz family moved to Calistoga, Napa Valley in 1904 and established a working farm, vineyards and a small winery. Gary Heitz's father was one of the 12 kids that grew up in the upper Napa Valley and lived through 2 world wars, prohibition, and the great depression. All in all it wasn't a glorious time for wine and grape growing. They managed to get through it and witnessed the re-birth of the American Wine Business. Their original winery name Heitz Vineyards was left behind yet when Peter, Gary's son, got into the wine business they started Shypoke Winery named after the Great Blue Herons that live among us. Peter Heitz is currently the winemaker and viticulturist of Turnbull Cellars where he has steered their farming and wine production for over 16 years. He has done amazing work and has repeatedly had his wines score 100 points from wine critics while also crafting beautiful wines under his own label. Shypoke and the Heitz family have been growing Charbono grapes for decades and are probably the original source for the plant material in Northern California if not beyond. Its a lost variety that is has power and grace, ages well and offers a lens to Terroir unlike other more common varieties we mostly grow today. While this podcast is more of a historical profile of their family, its also a look at the this unique variety and the few folks still making it today.