#030 – Robert Dahut: The 21st Century Gentleman Wine Farmer
- October 3, 2017
Robert Dahut
Today we toast to grapes, and the people who grow them! A few weeks ago, I anchored the boat and drove up to Sonoma to chat with Robert Dahut. Robert is a modern-day gentleman farmer, or a person who engages in farming but doesn’t depend on it for his living. He started growing a world-class Pinot Noir on his six-acre property about seven years ago. It takes a lot of work to farm on the rocky volcanic terrain, but the vines love it!
We also discuss:
- What it’s like to grow and harvest grapes for wine
- Why Pinot Noir grapes are especially tricky to grow
- The 2019 wine from Saintsbury that will use this harvest
- An audio tour of the vineyard
- Farming equipment
- Grafting plants & clones
Resources
- Keep your eyes peeled for the 2019 Saintsbury Pinot Noir using this the 2017 Dahut Vineyard grape harvest
- Remember To enjoy Flowers Winery’s 2014 Pinot Noir from Sonoma Coast, that is, if you can still find it!
Robert Dahut’s Bio:
Robert Dahut is a serial entrepreneur who works in the Bio Tech Industry. He has no formal training in viticulture but has been able to develop a highly sought after hillside vineyard that grows ultra premium Pinot Noir in Sonoma County. It really started with a dream and a passion to do something great with their property for which they would be proud of.
They are surrounded by world -class Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vineyards, so they knew they had the correct soils and appalachian to make their vineyard stand out. The Dahuts treat their vines with loving care and strive to be good stewards of the land and the environment, believing what makes for a great place to live also produces the highest quality grapes.
Robert’s second passion is growing olive trees. He grows over 8 different varieties of Tuscan Olives to produce extra virgin olive oil. Like their vineyard, everything is organic and keeps to the highest standards of best farming practices. Robert has gained all of his experience learning from others in the industry for their vineyard and olive orchards. “What I have learned in the vineyard is growing grapes is no different than running a great business enterprise. It always takes hard work, dedication and a lot of passion!” Robert lives with his wife Jennifer and his fruitarian chocolate lab Ozzie.
I love the world of food and beverage, everything about it, it’s soo damn sexy! Every time we eat and drink it ignites us sensually…the look, texture, taste, smell, sound all in a unique combination, encapsulating a moment in time. The act of sharing a meal with friends, chatting, eating, and drinking together is so forking perfect. It is a feeling that echoes a sense that All Is Good! Very, Very good!
