Everardo Robledo [All photos taken by Duncan Garrett]
Everardo Robledo is described as passionate by the people closest to him. And what is that passion? Robledo Family Winery.
Robledo, 47, was born into the wine industry and started working in the fields at age 9. It had always been a dream of his father, Reynaldo Robledo Sr., to open a family-run winery and in 1997 he did just that. With his nine children gathered around the table for a major brainstorming session, they created the Robledo Family Winery label, and the rest is history.
Everardo was named CEO in the early 2000s. Daily life now consists of checking on their wines in the cellar, monitoring inventories and making sure customers have the best experience possible. Visit robledofamilywinery.com for more information or head to the tasting room at 21901 Bonnes Road in Sonoma.
How did you know at such a young age that winemaking was your passion?
I grew up in it. Once you’re outside farming, tending to the vines, it becomes a part of you. I just knew that it would be my life calling. It also brings me great joy to see people enjoy our wines over dinner with friends. And I also like wine.
What other passions do you have?
I started playing soccer when I was 8 years old, I enjoy it because I like being competitive and simultaneously getting exercise. Several of my uncles also play, as well as my kids.
What are you trying to express with your wine?
A good balanced wine and the varietal of where it’s grown. As long as it is balanced and it tastes good then we’ve accomplished what we were trying to do.
Who has had the biggest impact on your career?
I would say my dad—just because he was always pushing my siblings and me to strive to work hard and get ahead. He always instilled a great work ethic in us and he is someone I greatly admire.
What is your favorite part of the job?
Having so much flexibility is great, it gives me time to do a lot of different things. I enjoy farming, growing grapes and I fix up homes as a side business.
When did you get serious about the wine industry?
Around 13 or 14 was when I learned how to prune. I remember thinking, “Oh, I know how to prune, this is a big deal because not a lot of people know how to do this.” That’s definitely a highlight in my life that I remember.
What is your favorite meal and what kind of wine do you pair with it?
My favorite meal is probably tacos. I love tacos. I will pair a nice cab to go with them.
Do you have any special harvest traditions?
We have our harvest event that we host every year to celebrate and give thanks. It entails a blessing of the grapes as well as grape stomping. There is also lots of entertainment—like a mariachi band that performs, Aztec and folklorico dancers. It’s kind of a cultural celebration of México and old traditions of the Aztecs, giving thanks to mother earth and things like that.
Will wines from this year’s harvest have any particular characteristics?
This year I think the wines are good. You know we have had a cool year so it’s long and drawn out a little bit, but I think we are getting good hang time. Not a lot of hot weather, but we hope we get some so it ripens up the fruit.
What are your three favorite Robledo wines?
Sauvignon blanc, pinot noir and cabernet. I really like the uniqueness of those different wines. And you can drink them at different times depending on how you feel and what you are eating.
What are your hopes for the future of Robledo Family Winery?
My hope is to be able to build an on-site production facility and expand our tasting room. That’s been my goal for several years, so I am going to try and make that happen as soon as possible.
