Invocation: Monsignor Michael Braun
Flag Salute: Juan Bustamante
Song: ‘America The Beautiful’
Greeter: Toni Harper
SPOKE EDITOR PROFILE:
Jorge Barrientos is the director of marketing and public relations at Chain | Cohn | Clark law office. He serves on board of directors for a variety of community organizations including The Hub of Bakersfield, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (Kern County Chapter), and Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Business Education Foundation. When he’s not working or serving our community, you can find him traveling the world and hanging with his family, which includes wife Carla, 4-year-old son Julian, 1.5-year-old daughter Gianna Sol.
GUESTS:
- Jazmine Garcia, First American Title (Juan Bustamante)
GOOD NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS:
- Jean-Luc Slagle celebrated his son Rylo’s 1-year birthday.
- Garro Ellis reported Alta Sierra Ski Resort got 18 inches of snow, and is welcoming visitors, road conditions permitting. He also made Rowdy the Roadrunner magically appear.
- Michael Chertok was happy to reconnect with Monsignor Braun, who first connected years ago about the University of South Carolina, or “the original USC”, as he shared.
- Ally Soper shared that the State of the County will be held Jan. 31.
- President Jim Damian gave a couple of announcements:
- Save the date and RSVP with Mary for the Centurion Celebration, on March 10, at Stockdale Country Club. $150 per ticket, $1,000 sponsorships, black tie optional.
- No Rotary meeting on Jan. 26 or March 6.
- All club meeting on March 2 at Kern High School District’s CTEC.
- President Jim also introduced to his new friend, Astro the Amazon robot.
PROGRAM
Anthony Merz introduced us to Bakersfield’s own “urban winery”, San Rucci, located in southwest Bakersfield in the Bakersfield beer district on Schirra Court. They serve Italian-inspired wine born out of a family winemaking tradition that goes back generations to Sicily and Tuscany. Currently it’s being operated by Tony and his father Bill Merz.
Bill graduated in enology from Fresno State University and worked for a host of wineries. He taught Anthony to make wine, who also spent several years at the Gallo complex in Modesto. They took the leap 5 years ago to start their own winery here in Bakersfield. Today, they age, blend, and produce wines locally while using grapes from vineyard sites throughout California, including Paso Robles and Hollister.
So, why “San Rucci”? They tell the story as so:
“The tradition that became San Rucci Winery began over 90 years ago when a young Italian from Tuscany his wife and their young family immigrated to the United States. Faith and family were always important to Francisco Becherucci so like his family had done for years, he began to make wine at home for the family, especially for their Sunday dinners. The family winemaking tradition continued and became a greater part of family life when Francisco’s granddaughter married a winemaker who’s German and Sicilian family had also carried on the tradition of home winemaking for family get-togethers and Sunday dinners. They, in turn, passed the love of family, faith and good wine to their son and daughters. By combining the Sicilian and Tuscan family names together – San Filippo and Becherucci, the tradition of San Rucci was born.”
A few other factoids shared by Tony:
- Winemaking is “more art than science.”
- Family photos adorn the front of their wine bottles.
- One of their wines won double gold in a Central Coast wine competition. (it is sold out).
Their tasting room is open from 4-8pm on Thursday and Friday, and from 2-8pm on Saturday. Visit them soon!
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