Farmer & The Scientist

The Story of Farmer & The Scientist

Where did the name Farmer & The Scientist come from? I get asked this a lot. Specifically, “so, who is the Farmer, and who’s the Scientist? Technically, Brian is the Farmer, and I (Jess) am the Scientist of the family. Science is very much a part of farming/viticulture and it’s also impossible to separate farming from the science of winemaking. It really does all start in the vineyard. Fruit quality is everything (you can’t turn a sow’s ear into a silk purse). There is an undeniable connection between the two fields and the interplay between them drives what comes out in the wine. Behind every good wine, there is a farmer and a bit of science.

It has been really fortunate for us that we have taken different sides of the craft – Brian in Viticulture, me on the winemaking side. If we had completely similar skills, our venture would have been missing crucial elements and we would most likely have toppled over early. On a practical, everyday basis, we do find so much overlap in which fields we are working in. As you may have guessed, when you farm grapes and make wine, you end up in a range of different roles (including those you are somewhat unqualified for) such as Brian being a makeshift plumber or diesel mechanic while going about his work. Gotta love those farmers – it may not always be pretty and neat, but they always find a way to keep things turning…and clanging…and grinding away!

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