Meet Heather Griffin: Partner at Summit Lake Vineyard & Winery

This interview has been edited for clarity and was featured in the July 19, 2023 issue of Merobebe.

Merobebe

You were born right after your father, Bob Brakesman, purchased the land that would become Summit Lake Vineyards. What was it like to grow up not only in wine country, but into a winemaking family on a vineyard?

Heather Griffin

Growing up in Napa, I think, is like growing up anywhere rural. We were pretty far from town so had our "Rat Pack" of friends that we hung out with and saw every day.

Looking back, I think we were very lucky as kids...we would grab our bikes or ponies and take off to play, going in a general direction of where we thought we would be for the day. Summit Lake was also the place we could hang out as teens and do all the stupid things we are supposed to do growing up. My folks were typically around and could step in if needed or join the shenanigans.It was also a lot of work, but I don't think we really knew that then. It was just what we did.

Heather Griffin and her father on a tractor at Summit Lake Vineyards.
Image courtesy of Summit Lake Vineyards & Winery.

Merobebe

What were some of the winery jobs you did as a child? Was there something in particular that was your favorite thing to do?

Heather Griffin

We were able to do everything!

One of my earliest memories of being in the vineyard is dragging a 3 gallon bucket around that had little round fertilizer tabs in it.  I just remember I had to put one in every hole as we planted the vines...I felt so included!

Harvest was always fun because there were so many people hanging around to "help"...we would pick, and then everyone would eat, drink, and stay up late to hot tub, and then bottle the next day. I think that was the most fun.

I was on the tractor as soon as I could reach the brakes and levers to steer. We had an old caterpillar tractor when we started, and you had to steer it by hitting the brake on one side or the other and pull the lever on the side you wanted to turn to....I took out my fair share of fence pieces and got the gondolas stuck on the ends of the vine rows more times than I can count. I don't know why they let me drive!

Merobebe

Did you know that you'd eventually end up in wine, and was there any pressure for you to work in the industry?

Heather with her brother, winemaker Brian Brakesman, and her father, founder of Summit Lake Vineyards & Winery

Heather Griffin

Hahaha, NO!  I really had no intention or drive to come back to our family business, but life is a funny thing. As I said, we always helped with harvest, and even came home for crush when we lived further away, but there was never any pressure to be there.Harvest is like the holidays for farmers – you wait all year long and have one shot. There is an excitement and buzz during that time of year, and my parents always had an open door policy with all of us. We could come back to help or not.

Merobebe

You officially joined Summit full time after your mother passed away. What were you doing previously?

Heather Griffin

I moved back to the Napa Valley in 1998 with my husband and our two girls. I was busy raising our girls, helping my mom part time at the winery, and working for a local veterinarian. Mostly just busy with our kiddos!

Merobebe

With vintages named after children and grandchildren, family is clearly a very important part of your winery! How do you think being family owned and operated has affected how you approach winemaking and how consumers interact with your winery?

Heather Griffin

Family has always been very important to all of us. My mom always made everyone feel welcome, at home, and like family immediately. We always had a lively and full house, both with family members and other people who lived with our family over the years. I am very proud of our family and our family business, and feel very lucky to be able to continue working with my Dad and brothers. It's very special to me to be able to share that with people when they come to visit and taste wine with us.

Merobebe

What is a typical day (or week) like in the life of a partner at a winery?

Heather Griffin

I feel like no day is typical when you run your own business!There are days you get stuck at the computer having to do all the usual things to keep the lights on, and there are days we are hosting guests for tastings. Then there are the days you think you are going to do one thing, and then you have to take your dog to the vet for some emergency, or a tree comes down and you have to go clear the road. All of that being said, we live in a really beautiful place and I wouldn't trade it in!

Merobebe

What would you say are some of the most fun and most difficult parts of winemaking and owning a winery? 

Heather Griffin

The most fun is harvest and sharing our wine with people...that's easy to do! The hard part is cash flow...Money comes in one bottle at a time, and out in massive chunks!

Merobebe

If you could have any job in the wine industry (besides your current one), what would it be?

Heather Griffin

Image courtesy of Summit Lake Vineyards & Winery

Events! I love to throw a good party.

Merobebe

Anything else you'd like to share?

Heather Griffin

Two things! First, I want to encourage people to support their local family farmers! Not just us, but try to find things that come from a local source that you can trace, and have a connection with the things that go into your body.

Second, grow something! Put your hands into dirt. There is something magical and grounding when you grow things. If you kill it, try again, ask questions, and find a community.  Everyone has space to grow something.