No more Christmas trees, she said

With a twinkle in his eye, Darrel Roby said he got into the wine business because “I’m just a little bit crazy!”

When Darrel and Molly first bought the land that would become Ribera Vineyards, it was a Christmas tree farm. After one season tending trees (and the insane rush that is the holiday harvest), they decided to plant something a little more compelling – grapes.

They had a good program selling grapes to local winemakers until disaster struck – and a buyer dropped out at the last minute. Scrambling, and calling on a few friends for help, Darrel and Molly learned how to make wine themselves. And they haven’t looked back.

They combine Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from their estate with grapes sourced throughout the region. There’s a professional winemaker on board now, and they’ve converted Darrel’s old workshop into a gorgeous, intimate tasting room. It’s the perfect spot in the suburbs, much closer than driving down into wine country, but just far enough to feel out of the bustle of the city.

And hey, pro tip: Their neighbor still sells Christmas trees – so plan a twofer next December!