Joseph and Coralee Barkela own Fouché Vineyards in the Sonoma Valley and grow Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and one acre of Petite Sirah. They enjoy good beef and great quality reds.

Grower names:

Joseph and Coralee Barkela

Vineyard/Ranch name:

Fouché Vineyards

Appellation:

Sonoma Valley

How long have you farmed this property?

We began farming the property in 1998. Initially we planted 15 acres. That first stage was by far the most challenging. In 2000, we planted an additional 15 acres. Our experience with the first stage of planting helped us immeasurably the second time around.

Total acreage managed and grape varieties planted:

We have 30 acres currently planted, of which we planted 10 acres to Cabernet Sauvignon Clones 7 and 337 (Mountain Cabernet) and 20 acres to Syrah, using the Nuns Canyon, Shiraz 1 and 7, Noir, and Entav 877 Clones. In addition we also have 1 acre of Petite Syrah and recently have completed the permit process to plant an additional 15 acres (stage three).

Why did you become a grape grower?

After 30 years in general contracting and environmental remediation, I felt I needed a change of atmosphere. I have fond memories of farming from growing up on our family farm in Iowa. It seemed natural to get back to my roots. So, after some viticulture classes at the University of California Davis and a lot of assistance with a good group of consultants, Fouché Vineyards was born.

Farming philosophy:

Planting in stages has helped us learn throughout the process. It has allowed us to experiment with hillside orientation, row and vine spacing, as well as farming practices. We have tried various levels of self-management versus outside management and have purchased specialty equipment to streamline operations. We have worked with specialists to utilize technology to maintain and improve the soil and compare seasonal grape quality results with Blackstone Winemaker Dennis Hill. Farming at Fouché Vineyards has become a dedicated effort by Joe Barkela, his Vineyard Supervisor, Santiago Solis, their crew and seasonal assistance / consultation from Redwood Empire Vineyard Management. Our mission is to work closely with the winery and winemaker to ensure that our fruit is consistently of premium quality, exceeding their expectations. Farming practices like planting with close spacing and narrow rows helps to maximize the stress on the vines and thereby produce very high quality fruit. Of course, this creates more handwork. But, each year we see that it’s worth it.

What changes in farming practice do you anticipate making in the next 5 years?

We’re going to push more towards sustainable farming practices. Also, we’re going to continue to identify ways to reduce handwork by utilizing existing and future technology without compromising quality.

What is your worst horror story in grape growing?

We have more than one! I imagine the worst was the first. When we initially started to prepare the site, we began to rip the soil and found more than 4,500 tons of rock that had to be removed.

Is your vineyard designated on any wine labels?

We’ve sold our fruit to Blackstone Winery for the past several vintages. While our vineyard is finally reaching full maturity and having established the quality over time, we anticipate seeing a designated wine in the near future.

What is your favorite food/wine combination?

Good beef and quality red.

Employee note:

The backbone of a good vineyard is employees. Loyal, hard-working people make all the difference regardless of their skill set. As an example, Santiago Solis, our Vineyard Supervisor, has been with us for 10+ years and has advanced himself to his present position. We feel fortunate to have Santiago, his family, and the rest of our crew on board.

Advice for young people:

Get a quality education. Set a road map of goals for yourself and be tenacious about achieving them. That takes focus. Never give up your dream. Work hard and your efforts will be rewarded.

Any other information that you would like to include about yourself, the ranch, your business, family or history of the area:

Being a grower isn’t as romantic as it looked in the movie Sideways. It’s hard work, but still very rewarding. I’ve been lucky in a number of ways. My wife, Coralee, has her own real estate brokerage and has been a great partner. She found the property for us and has been strategic in many aspects of developing it along the way. It’s amazing to look back each year, see the progress we’ve made with the vineyard, the property in general and realize just how much has been accomplished.