At Great Bear Vineyards in Davis, CA, great wine is grown, not made. Owners Marcus and Jenny Meadows-Smith said they let nature do most of the work so the grape can take center stage.
“Great wine begins in the vineyard, so our main focus is producing high-quality grapes here in Davis,” explains winemaker Jenny Meadow-Smith in a new video, Destination Davis: Great Bear Vineyards. “The flavors are very intense and it’s all about the grapes showcasing themselves.”
In the video, Marcus and Jenny share their traditional winemaking philosophy — one with minimal intervention. They start with high-quality fruit and let Davis’s hot days, cool nights, and rich soil do most of the work.
“We grow organically, we grow sustainably, so for us growing in harmony with nature, growing world-class grapes to make a world-class wine was really key,” Marcus added.
Marcus explained that starting a winery was a natural endeavor for the couple. They have a passion for nature, for wine, for food, and for the community that is formed when sharing a bottle of wine with others. They chose Davis because of its vibrant, supportive community. There’s a very strong wine-making community in Davis; in fact, professors from UC Davis helped them design their vineyards and produce the first few vintages.
“We are an extension to all that Davis has to offer by providing somewhere beautiful and different for people to visit and enjoy without having to travel very far,” Jenny said.
Destination Davis: Great Bear Vineyards
Not only does Great Bear Vineyards produce world-class wine, but they also bring the community together. To learn more, be sure to check out the full video on YouTube and hear how Marcus and Jenny Meadows-Smith built their winery from the ground up. You can also enjoy a glass (or two) by visiting the winery. Check out the many lodging options in Davis and plan your getaway today.
