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 Experienced, confident, and energetic, Winemaker, Tom Garrett began his winemaking magic at Bugay Vineyards in 2006. A true believer in the importance of extraordinary vineyard practices combined with outstanding growing conditions, Tom says his excitement about the vineyard made the decision to join the Bugay Vineyards team an easy one. "My interest in working with John and Reta Bugay was initially driven by my interest in their vineyard. They have an ideal combination of great exposure, steep slopes and volcanic soils. Simply put, it is an amazing vineyard from which amazing wines will be made."
Tom's extensive knowledge of wine and winemaking began as a child born into a family with a fifty-year history of wine grape growing in the Napa Valley. "I fell in love with the concept of wine and winemaking early on. The vineyard brought our family and friends together and wine was always part of our meals and gatherings."
Tom started his career in wine as the Tasting Coordinator for Wine Spectator's West Coast office and credits that experience for helping to refine his palate. While he was with Spectator, he had the opportunity to taste nearly every wine being made in California as well as some of the best wines made from around the world.
Eventually, Tom began to feel that making wine would be more fulfilling than writing about it. He left Wine Spectator and began a five-year apprentice tour that allowed him to gain impressive experience working at Turley Wine Cellars, Joseph Phelps Winery and Robert Mondavi Winery. In 2003, Tom joined Revana Family Vineyard and began working under Heidi Peterson Barrett. Tom gained valuable winemaking knowledge during each of his apprenticeships but says that working with Heidi Peterson Barrett has had the greatest impact on his development as a winemaker. "Working with Heidi has been a dream. She is an incredible mentor and a wonderful person."
Tom is clearly dedicated to applying his abundant talent and passion toward making world-class wines at Bugay Vineyards and knows that the Bugays share this lofty goal. "John and Reta are clearly committed to the highest quality. That is evident in the care with which they farm the vineyard and the thought that they have put into developing Bugay Vineyards winery."
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