L-R: Brett Gorman, Jack Smith
One of my favorite things about helping with the Grower Profiles is getting to learn about the growers whose vineyard name I see on some of my favorite bottles of wine. With this month’s Grower Profile, we are happy to introduce you to Brett Gorman and Jack Smith of Pepper Jack Vineyards in the Texas High Plains, which happens to be one of those vineyards.
- What did you do before growing grapes?
Brett Gorman (Pepper, long story) – Maintenance contractor for City of Lubbock and TXDOT, Jack Smith – CPA, Sweet Potato, Squash, and Almond grower in California.
- When did you first plant your vineyard, and how many acres did you start with?
Pepper Jack Vineyards was planted in 2017 with 30 acres of Italian varieties on 40 acres of land.
- How many acres do you have today, and what grapes are planted?
30 acres in Terry County and 10 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon in Lubbock County.
- Do you farm any other crops? And if so, what?
No other crops; growing grapes is plenty!
- What first attracted you to growing grapes?
Excitement of a growing industry.
- What is the toughest challenge about being a grape grower in Texas?
I wasn’t aware there were that many natural disasters until we planted grapes!
- If you didn’t grow grapes, what would you do?
Have more time to fish.
- After a long day in the vineyard, what do you like to do?
Come to the office and catch up on my day job.
- What’s the best part about being a grape grower?
The people we have met and formed friendships with as well as tasting the wines made by some truly talented winery partners.
- What advice would you give someone wanting to start a vineyard today?
If you want to make a million dollars growing grapes, start out with two million dollars.
If you are a wine grower and have not been featured yet in a Grower Profile, please contact us!
Leave a Reply