PROACTIVE FARMING, SOIL HEALTH & BIODIVERSITY

APRIL 13, 2023 | Charles Krug Winery, Carriage House

OFFSITE workshop

Offsite Mentorship Workshop:
Biological & Cultural Weed Control

Join Ivo Jeramaz, Vice President of Vineyards & Production at Grgich Estate, as he works with Anton Luiten, Vineyard Manager and Maggie Purdie, Enologist at Materra | Cunat Family Vineyards to talk through the practical first steps and considerations for phasing out Roundup and other herbicides. Adopting any new approach, whether personally or professionally, initially requires learning, time, and often cost. But once a new practice becomes streamlined there are often benefits and associated savings. Ivo has the spreadsheets to prove this case for organic farming. Be a part of this transitional conversation that will include a by the numbers analysis.

mentor

Ivo Jeramaz

Winemaker and Vice President of Vineyards & Production at Grgich Hills Estate

Ivo was born in Croatia to a family of grape growers and as boy he assisted in making wine for his family’s enjoyment. However, he didn’t plan on becoming a winemaker. Ivo earned a master’s of science degree in engineering from the University of Zagreb and dreamed of coming to California to work as an engineer. In 1986, with the help of his uncle, Miljenko “Mike” Grgich, Ivo followed his dream and came to Napa Valley. He quickly fell in love with the scenic beauty of the area and became fascinated with wine making. Ivo decided on a career change and Mike immediately put him to work washing barrels. During his almost-three decades at Grgich Hills Ivo has worked his way up in responsibility, learning the classic style and art of winemaking from his uncle, supported by the tools of science and technology. “There’s nothing in the winery or vineyard that I haven’t done, not just for one day, but really worked at it,” he explains.

mentee

Maggie Purdie

Enologist at Materra | Cunat Family Vineyards

Maggie Purdie was born and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Growing up in a wine-loving family, she decided to pursue winemaking at an early age. As an industry at the intersection of plant sciences, nature, gastronomy, culture, language, and travel, Maggie knew there was always more to learn. After completing her degree in Oenology and Viticulture at the University of Adelaide, Australia, Maggie began her globe-trotting career by following the harvest and worked at Primo Estate (Australia), Colgin (Napa), Matetic (Chile), Fantesca (Napa), Don Martino (Argentina), Hamel Family (Sonoma) and Newton (Napa), to name a few.

 

In her spare time, Maggie enjoys backpacking, scuba diving and trekking. Maggie lives in Napa with her husband and large Siberian cat.