Mark, Rick, and Bruce outside of the winery, 2007
This is the first part in a series of stories about the winery, from its inception to the wines we are producing today. Stay tuned for how we ended up in a warehouse by the train tracks, what goes on in our vineyards, and Mark’s plans to one day produce a sparkling wine…
Bruce and Rick Rominger
The winery represents a partnership between our winemaker, Mark West, and the Rominger brothers—Rick, Charlie, and Bruce—fifth-generation farmers in Yolo County. This partnership began even before Mark and the Rominger brothers were born, when their parents all attended UC Davis together. Then, Mark’s father, George West, worked for the Rominger brothers’ father, Rich Rominger, when Rich was the California State Secretary of Agriculture in the 1980s. Lastly, Mark’s sister, Audrey, and Bruce Rominger swam together at UC Davis. So when Mark was sent to evaluate a new grape crop while working as interim winemaker in Napa, and he discovered that they were Charlie Rominger’s grapes, a natural friendship ensued.
Charlie Rominger
As the grape growing expert in his family, Charlie knew he was growing quality grapes in an area where quantity, not quality, was prized, and he was ready to take the next step and turn his grapes into quality wine. Mark, recognizing that Charlie’s grapes were something special, and hankering to get back to his hometown of Davis (and to ditch that dreaded 2 hour daily commute), began thinking about bringing a little wine to Davis.
Mark West
Mark grew up in Davis, played in the band at UC Berkeley during his undergraduate years, earned his PhD in biochemistry from Johns Hopkins University, and then moved to Napa to work in the wine industry. Thirteen years later, he brought his philosophy of minimal intervention, which highlights the quality of our local fruit, to Davis.
Mark and Charlie opened the doors of Rominger West Winery in January of 2004. Charlie’s love of grapes and commitment to sustainable agriculture, coupled with Mark’s expert winemaking knowledge and desire to contribute to his local community, created a successful and delicious enterprise.
Next blog post: How we ended up in a warehouse by the train tracks…
Elizabeth Caravati
