In the world of wine, the winemakers are the stars. They are the people sought out by journalists and bloggers for interviews, and they are the ones who get their pictures in magazines like Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast, et al.
But without the men and women who grow winegrapes, there would be no such thing as winemakers. It has become a cliché, but it’s absolutely true that all great wines begin in the vineyard.
So it’s nice that the Napa Valley Grapegrowers organization is around—not only to provide support and resources for the growers, but also to honor the really good ones.
Patrick Garvey is a really good one. He’s a co-proprietor of the acclaimed Flora Springs winery, where he oversees some 650 acres of grapevines.
The Flora Springs wines speak for themselves, and they are very much the product of Garvey’s vineyard management efforts.
But Garvey is much more than a talented grapegrower. He also is an outstanding citizen, as was noted in a press release from the NVG.
Through the years, he has led efforts to gain American Viticultural Area status for certain distinctive areas of the Napa Valley, worked to improve the lives of farm workers, and (with wife Julie) set up a fund to help valley residents in need.
“Pat is a tremendously well-respected grapegrower and a model citizen in our community,” said NVG Presdient David Beckstoffer in the press release. “His contributions to the Napa Valley are numerous, and although he would be the last to say it, he is highly deserving of this special award.”
Garvey will be honored at a special event on May 18—an opportunity to recognize and thank not only a good farmer, but also a good guy.
