Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/705606
Creating a sustainable business, one vineyard at a time STORY AND PHOTOS BY JULIE FADDA POWERS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Ga ble elf-described "third-generation farmer, first- generation wine guy," Tom Gamble of Gam- ble Family Vineyards grew up on his family's farm in Napa Valley's Oakville district. His grandfather, Launcelot Gamble, first began farming in Napa Coun- ty in 1916. He raised livestock and grew hay crops, walnut, pear and other fruit trees as well as toma- toes (there was a nearby tomato processing facility in Rutherford at the time). "My grandfather grew what- ever he thought he could make money from farm- ing," says Gamble. "He was also really good about buying land that had natural water resources. His actions stuck with me and have influenced my land buying." The family's Oakville land has since grown to more than 900 acres, which has been leased to Beringer Vineyards since 1972. Eventually, Gamble decided to pursue creating wines under his own label. In 2003, he hired wine- maker Jim Close, and the first Gamble Family Vine- yards wine was released in 2005. "That decision didn't come lightly, given our family legacy in the region, but my main goal is to carry on our heritage of farming. Hopefully, that's reflected in the glass," he says. In 2008, Gamble purchased an Oakville ranch from the Lincoln family, who'd owned it since the 19th century. This is where he began building his winery in 2012, working with Close to create a building con- sistent with the property's history, but that also has modern winemaking technology. "I got to choose all the shiny stuff," says Close, pointing out tanks that are temperature controlled and remotely monitored via software provided by Refrigeration Technology 9 4 V I N E YA R D & W I N E RY M A N A G E M E N T | J u l y - A u g 2 016 w w w. v w m m e d i a . c o m