Today we’d like to introduce you to Dean Baldridge.
Dean, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I retired from being a cartoonist by morning and a high school golf coach by afternoon to be my parent’s caretaker. Once my parents had passed I needed something to do. So as I tell people, my wife and I really like wine, and I had one grandfather who was a farmer in Idaho and my other grandfather was a moonshiner in Kentucky. I decided in their honor to grow grapes and make wine. I researched what would grow in our area, found suppliers of vines and started planting. We currently have 40 vines, 3 different varietals, Zinfandel, Carbernet Sauvignon and Tempranillo (in different stages of growth) and have room for more down the road. While waiting for the vines to grow (3 to 4 years before producing enough for wine), I purchased juice, read books, watched YouTube and learned to make wine, so that when it was time for my first harvest I would be ready. I went to SommCon, a convention for wine enthusiasts and people in the wine industry, becoming friends with winemakers, vineyard managers and Master Sommeliers. This industry really believes in helping one another, no matter how big or small you are. I went back to school and received my WSET Level 2 award in Wines and Spirits from the International Wine & Spirit Centre of London England. For our 35th wedding anniversary my wife “Sally” registered our name “Baldridge Holiday Vineyards” with the US patent and trademark office. Our vines are still young, so we are currently harvesting and making 3 to 6 gallons of each varietal. Our goal when our vines are more mature is to blend all 3 into a field blend, making it our signature wine. We currently give all our wine away, sharing it with family and friends, but once the field blend is up and going, who knows?
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The learning curve and science involved has been fun and stressful. You only get one chance a year to harvest and make wine, any mistake and you have to wait another year. Plus you deal with Mother Nature and the challenges it brings. I have a lot more appreciation for farmers, vineyard managers and winemakers. It takes a lot of time and patients to make a simple bottle of wine. What you grow this year you may not drink for 2 or 3 years. Sometimes I think it would be a lot easier to just go to the store and buy it, but when you open a bottle of your wine and share with others, it makes it worth it.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My wife Sally Baldridge has been my biggest supporter, always encouraging me and keeping me on budget. My twin daughters Marcie and Jodi have been a great help during harvest and bottling. Especially during bottling, it is very time consuming to bottle, cork, label and foil.
Contact Info:
- Address: The Baldridge’s Holiday House and Holiday Vineyards
1211 California Street, Oceanside, CA. 92054 - Phone: 760-822-2396
- Email: deano7@cox.net
- Facebook: Baldridge Holiday Vineyards
Getting in touch: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
