Page 92 - SOUTHERN OREGON MAGAZINE FALL 2019

feature | the beauty issue
feature | women in wine

JODY LENNON, FENCES WINERY

A life of pressure, traffic, weather and feeling fenced in motivated
David and Jody Lennon, two attorneys with three children, to
move from just outside New York City to Southern Oregon. David
did a lot of work on the West Coast, and this region worked for his
practice. Jody loved red wine, so why not a winery? They were at that
magical moment. “Life’s an adventure, let’s take a chance,” she recalls.

In 2011 they moved to their site with its young, never-harvested vines.
Their first small vintage was a family-and-friends sellout, an encourage-
ment to keep going.

David still practices law, while Jody devotes full time to the winery
working on sales, marketing, the warehouse, event planning, packaging
and social media. She also thought of the winery’s name.

The move proved beneficial on a family note as well. Back east, their
three sons each had his own interests. Here, they are closer. Jody and
David have no regrets about their new life. They achieved the lifestyle
they sought, and with the wines’ success, “it’s way beyond anything we
ever expected.”

NICHOLE SCHULTE & SARA GARR, BARREL 42

Nichole Schulte is a winemaker and partner in Barrel 42, a custom
crush entity, as well as an attorney who still does legal consulting. She
offers an analogy between preparing a case for trial and formulating
a winemaking plan. The evidence-gathering phase is like tasting the
fruit, envisioning its potential. She equates the trial phase with the fer-
mentation process, where a case is won or lost, where wine is made.
A lawyer argues the case in court, and a winemaker encourages the
fruit to express certain characteristics. In closing arguments, aging in
winemaker-speak, subtle choices can have significant impact on the
outcome. The last step is finding satisfaction with a win at trial or a
delicious glass of wine.

Nichole works closely with Barrel 42 clients, treating each as an indi-
vidual winery within the custom crush site. She finds her work delight-
fully challenging and fun.

Sara Garr is Cellar Lead, the most skilled person under the head
winemaking team. She first worked in Harry & David’s wine depart-
ment, gaining broad exposure. “It’s hard work, but oh so rewarding.”
Sometimes you’re cold or your feet are wet, but that’s just part of the
job she loves.

Sara is becoming a winemaker in her own right. With her Circadian
Cellars label, she wants to use grapes from special Rogue and Applegate
valley vineyards, getting away from traditional interpretations of the
grapes. To strip the expectations from classic and unusual varietals so
her wine club sees them in a different light. That means making wines
lighter, more feminine and more elegant than expected. Maybe reds
you can chill, unusual blends, etc. She acknowledges her need to grow
as a winemaker, and Circadian Cellars will evolve with her.

JODY LENNON, FENCENS WINERY
90 www.southernoregonmagazine.com | fall 2019 PHOTO BY STEVE ADDINGTON