Each month we feature an incredible small-batch winery and this month we are so excited to feature wines from Lathom Wines, a small-batch vineyard in Ramona focusing on Rhone-style varietals. The brand is run by husband-and-wife team Andrew and Mariah who do everything themselves - from farming the grapes, crushing the grapes, bottling the wine, creating labels, to paying the taxes.
Photo courtesy of Lathom Wines
Learn more from Andrew below!Â
What made you want to get into winemaking? How did the journey start?
I will retire from my day job at 50. That's obviously too young to do nothing with your life. Since I'm obsessed with wine and its intricacies, having a small vineyard and making a couple of barrels of wine seemed like a good idea. About 8 years ago, I bought a piece of land in Ramona, planted some vines, met my wife, and we started making wine.
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What has been the most rewarding part of your wine journey?Â
Being a part of a wonderful local wine community (and having a large amount of free wine to drink whenever we want).
What has been the most unexpected?
How much harder it is to make rosès and white wines.
What is your favorite varietal and why?
Grenache. It's versatile. Light. Fruity. Easy to blend. Easy to grow. It's as close to Pinot Noir as Ramona is going to realistically see with all the heat.
Who is the person you look up to the most in the wine world?
It would be fun to pick a hip winemaker like Hardy from Dirty & Rowdy or paying homage to Bo Barrett from Chateau Montelena but there's zero question in our mind it's Micole Moore from Ramona Ranch. We would have folded like a lawn chair six years ago if it wasn't for the guidance, mentorship, and friendship of Micole and Teri. Â
If there is one thing you want people to know about your wine and your winery, what would it be?
That we're in San Diego County. There are quite a few of us here. We're a much closer trip to drink good wine than that long drive to Temecula. Ramona Valley, Escondido, and Julian are all worth the visit. You won't see bachelorette parties, limos, and long lines of drunk people. You're very likely to meet the people who prune the vines, harvest the grapes, and make the wine.Â
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Learn more about their journey on their website - www.lathomwines.com
