By Dave Faries
dfaries@record-bee.com @beedavefaries on Twitter
Terry Dereniuk grew up about as far from California wine country as possible. Born in Vermont, she ended up working with a federal government office in Oakland. In 2010, she and her husband retired from office work and purchased a vineyard in Lake County. After becoming involved with a number of local organizations and helping to write grants, Dereniuk took the helm of the Lake County Winery Association just over a year ago.
1. If you’re having a glass of wine and your guest asks for something from Napa, what do you do?
Oh, goodness gracious [laughs]. I’d have to say ‘no, I don’t have anything from Napa — unless it was a glass from Alienor or Obsidian Ridge. They use Lake County grapes.
2. Do you feel like a traitor if you drink a wine that’s not Lake County?
I don’t, and this is why: I started working to expand my palate by tasting wines from other regions. We stop in at tasting rooms to get a sense of what the other regions are doing.
3. How cool is it to call that ‘research’?
It is very cool [laughs]. Yes, market research.
4. What is the image of Lake County wines?
It the county it’s a tremendously exciting time. I feel fortunate to be involved in an industry that has so much going for it. We have great fruit, we have wonder wines that are getting more recognition. But the market is hugely crowded and getting our name out to consumers is a constant effort.
5. How do you promote the wineries?
For me, promoting is about public relations, social media and press releases. It’s also about events and taking advantage of opportunities. The Winery Association has three big events: The Wine Adventure, the professional wine judging and the people’s choice. What I mean about taking advantage of opportunities, last year KRCB contacted me and asked ‘will you field a team to answer phones?’ We were there four and a half hours and Lake County was mentioned over and over again. And it didn’t cost us any money, just some time.
6. You love Lake County wines, I know that.
It is because I think Lake County makes fabulous wine. We have creative winemakers and when I go to different wineries it is difficult not to walk out with a few bottles.
7. How big is your collection?
Well, when my husband retired, he was given a wine refrigerator that held 12 bottles. We didn’t plug it in for two years — I know that sounds bad. Now we have two that hold 96 bottles and one that holds 36. We both enjoy a glass of wine with dinner.
8. No beer?
Personally, no. I’m a big wine fan. Years ago my favorite was White Russians. I even made my own Kahlua. But as I continued to gain in experience, wine became my drink of choice. I’ve never been a big beer drinker.
9. You have a vineyard. Is winemaking as glamorous as people think?
I think there is a mystique and an allure watching the grapes and nurturing them. On the winemaking side, there’s a huge amount of chemistry involved. But there is a magic that happens. That being said, it’s a lot of work.
10. What’s the best thing about Lake County?
The people. The sense of community. The excitement about everything that goes on. And it doesn’t hurt to be living in such a beautiful place.
