A Conversation with Wayne Tamarelli
Interested to learn more about the passion behind Tamarelli Wines? The following are a few pieces of insight gathered from a recent interview with Owner, Wayne Tamarelli.
Keep reading below to find out what we asked him!
Wayne and Carol in the Mendoza vineyards.
1) When did your love affair with wine begin?
My first degrees were in chemical engineering. Ever since, I have found the science of winemaking really interesting. Technologies have been enabling many improvements in viticulture and enology. I also had some earlier exposure to wine through my father, who appreciated good wines.
2) You visit Mendoza Valley three times per year. What do you miss when you aren’t there?
I just love the local people, the stimulating ambience in the Uco Valley, and great food and wine there. We are always excited to visit again.
3) What challenges do you face in Mendoza?
We are a small boutique producer. Fortunately, we have great staff in Mendoza and produce great wines. Economies of scale are a challenge.
4) How has ownership of Tamarelli Vineyards changed your perspective on life? On business? On wine?
My main business is technology venture capital. Winemaking has provided a diversification of interests. It has greatly increased my knowledge of and appreciation for wines.
5) What role does Carol play at Tamarelli Vineyards?
Carol and I were high school sweethearts.
We have 2 children and 10 grandchildren, many of whom have enjoyed visiting with us in Mendoza. In addition to learning about our vineyards and winery, they have done white water rafting, hiking, horseback riding, and ziplining with us in and around the nearby Andes mountains. Carol is involved in our wine blendings and label design decisions.
6) You’ve recently developed a Southern Rhone Style GSM. What led to that decision? What is special to you about this distinct style?
We like French style blended wines. Chateau-du-Pape and Gigondas are GSM examples that we like. Because our grenache, syrah, and mouvedre (GSM) grapes ripen so very well in the Uco Valley of Mendoza, we can make very tasty and aromatic blends.
7) What is new on the horizon?
We will continue to produce our malbec, Gran Corte blends, cabernet franc, white blend, rose, syrah and GSM wines. Now, through our fantastic Vines Global partner wineries, we are adding Brunello di Montalcino, Super Tuscan, Pinot Noir, Priorat, and Champagne wines. For each wine, we blend our wine in the partner winery cellars.
8) Share a fun or funny story about Tamarelli Vineyards.
Tamarelli Vineyards started as an accident. Carol and I were going to the southern tip of Argentina in 2007 to board an icebreaker bound for Antarctica. Because we had enjoyed some nice wines from Mendoza, we spent a week in Mendoza on the way to Antarctica. On our last night we had a great tasting of wines from boutique wineries at the Vines of Mendoza tasting room. I wandered into a back room where I saw maps of prime real estate that they were developing for sale for planting vineyards. Having had some experience as a partner in a California winery, I got intrigued. I did some investigations, bought vineyards, planted them, developed winemaking strategies, and the rest is history.
9) What would you like people to understand/appreciate about you?
I have a great many interests. I am always traveling to learn about peoples, cultures, history, technologies, anthropology, archeology, economics, politics, philosophy, arts, and (really) Everything.