The Big Sip

As a third-generation farmer born in Mexico, Gerardo Espinosa is a key player redefining Lodi’s wine narrative. Often mischaracterized as merely a bulk wine region, Lodi has much to offer, and Gerardo is committed to showcasing the region’s true quality and variety in producing premium, high-end wines.

Gerardo’s journey begins with his grandfather, Victor Anaya, who immigrated to the United States in 1940 through the Bracero Program. Victor worked tirelessly as a farmworker, sending money back to Mexico to support his family and provide an education for his children, including Gerardo’s mother.  This legacy of hard work and dedication laid the foundation for Gerardo’s own aspirations.

Although Gerardo initially pursued and established a successful career in architecture for over 15 years, he felt a strong pull back to his agricultural roots. To honor his family’s legacy, he decided to produce a single barrel from a vineyard his grandfather planted in 1980, officially kickstarting his winemaking journey. One barrel quickly became ten, leading Gerardo to launch his first wine label in 2008.

Less than a decade later, he co-founded Lodi Crush, a custom-crush facility that has become pivotal to the region’s wine scene. As the Managing Partner, he’s played a crucial role in developing multiple award-winning wines, including his latest label, Anaya Vineyards. Beyond his own successes, Gerardo is passionate about mentoring aspiring winemakers, guiding them to discover, establish and craft their own unique styles, all while fostering sustainable practices that benefit Lodi’s vibrant wine community. In 2023, Gerardo opened a tasting lounge at Lodi Crush, providing a space for his clients to engage with guests and sell their wines. Most recently, he partnered with two brilliant individuals to launch Los Cuernos, a premium canned wine that’s already making waves in California’s major sports stadiums. 

To this day, Gerardo continues to see himself as an architect—an architect of wine—dedicated to building, shaping, and crafting a thriving community and legacy in the Lodi wine industry and beyond. 

Follow his journey @gerardojespinosa @theloungelodi