Onus

plot of land sight unseen based on an article in the San Francisco Chronicle and moved northeast to the small town of Lodi California. The land on this property was fertile, the water was pure, and the climate was ideal. In those first years they planted grapes and cherries and raised hogs. 1910-1930’s The Peterson family grew during the first decades of the 20th century, as Hannah gave birth to three children Willard, Carl, and Myrtle. Tragically Myrtle past away at a young age due to a heart condition. The boys, Willard and Carl, were pushed hard by their parents to perform on the ranch and in school. This was a simple time for the Peterson family as the Great Depression was in its darkest days. They survived off of little income, but had the land give life and supply the basic needs. Peterson Family 1926: Standing in front of the original house. Left to Right: Willard, Carl A., Hannah, and Carl H. 1940’s-1950 Willard went on to become a successful businessman in town, while still helping out on the family farm. Carl joined the military where he served in the Army Air Corps during WWII on the island of Guam. The brothers both married and had children of their own. Willard married Juanita Rothenburger, and daughter Linda followed shortly thereafter. Carl, nicknamed “Pete”, married Berta Cooper and had children: Jim, Carol, and Nancy. Carl took over the day to day farming and was able to expand the ranch in size. He focused on fresh cherries and market grapes. During this time he joined the Guild Winery Co-operative. 1960’s While all four grandchildren were in college, Willard and Pete developed relationships with larger wineries in the area, as well as taking a stake in the near by co-op Woodbridge Grape Growers. They also expanded to contract with local land owners to lease land and farm existing vineyards. 1970’s Each of the grandchildren graduated collage and pursued their own individual professions: Early Childhood Development, Teaching, and Farming. In 1972 Jim Peterson married Judy Bettencourt and they had three children, Brad, Phil and Marty. Carol married Steve von Berg and they had two children Brett and Eric. Linda married Bill Watt and they had one child James. During this period Jim Peterson retuned home to his roots to farm along side his father and uncle. Slowly, he transitioned into the sole manager of the farming operation, contracting with his sisters and cousin to continue growing fresh market Bing cherries and wine grapes on the same property. 1980’s-1990’s The Peterson family grew yet again when Nancy Peterson married Darrel Dobler and two children Robby and Gary Dobler were added to the Peterson clan. Recognizing an opportunity in the varietals wine grapes business, Jim converted the ranch from the traditional Flame Tokay variety to Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Zinfandel. Moreover, he also began to develop relationships with smaller wineries with vineyard designated bottles of wine. The focus shifted dramatically from an agricultural commodity to a high quality food product. To insure quality, Jim and his sons’ started fermenting small lots of wine at home and eventually bottling them to prove that quality in the vineyards is reflected as quality in the bottle. Thus the idea of “Proof is in the bottle” was born and producing wine from the property became a beacon for the family’s efforts. 2000’s Brad, Phil and Marty Peterson pursued University level educations with wine growing in mind; the boys studied Viticulture (Study of Grape Growing), Enology (Study of Winemaking), and Agricultural Economics. They also explored real world work in wineries and farming operations around the state. This knowledge and experience was brought home and applied to the rich traditions of the three generations before to create the wine they called “ONUS” - The burden of proof. 2003 The first vintage of Onus Cabernet Sauvignon is released. Winner of, New World International Wine Competition 25$-50$ Gold Medal! 2005 The first vintage of Onus Chardonnay is released and very well received. Second vintage of Onus Cabernet Sauvignon is released and again wins Gold in New World International Wine Competition 25$-50$ Gold Medal! Today The Peterson’s continue to farm the same land that was originally purchased by Carl A., as well as the properties purchased and leased by Willard, Carl and Jim as expansions to the small family farm. The ownership of the different parcels still resides under the same blood lines within the family, and continues to grow and expand as the fourth generation focuses on farming, and winemaking. Their goals are to bring a glass of wine to the table that represents the pride in their heritage and carries the proof of family and tradition. Now on the fifth generation, the family continues to pass down this pride of the land and connection to the generations.    (hide)